OBEDIENCE THE TEST OF PIETY.
By J. O. Corliss
This is an age of deceptions. Scarcely anything is exposed for sale that is not adulterated in some way, or glossed over to attract attention. The appearance of an article is often well calculated to deceive the buyer as to its real merits unless he gives it a critical examination before purchasing; and even then, the deception is sometimes so complete as to blind the eyes of the individual. Man is not only exposed to deception in the affairs of this life, but also in things pertaining to the life to come. Satan has become an expert in the art of blinding the mind of man concerning a religious experience and character; and his ends are just as certainly gained if one makes a profession of godliness and fails to develop a righteous character as though he never pretended to serve God. But He who knows the blindness to which the human heart is susceptible has provided a sure test, that the reality of those dispositions we profess to cherish toward him may be shown by corresponding conduct. Do you ask how we can know that we possess a saving knowledge of God? "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." 1 John 2 : 3. Would we know who are deceived in the matter? "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Verse 4. Do we have doubts whether we love God or not? "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5 : 3. Do we wish to know if we bear true love to the children of God? "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." Verse 2. Do we inquire who are those that love our Saviour? "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." John 14 : 21. Would we detect those who do not love Christ? "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings." Verse 24. In short, would we trace the dividing line between saint and sinner? "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God." 1 John 3 : 10. And, finally, do we desire to know the great test and rule of trial in the judgment? "And death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works," Rev. 20 : 13. From first to last the test is, "By their fruits ye shall know them." J. O. CORLISS.