Centered in Himself

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 17, 1914

Centered in Himself

SPEAKING of the conditions that obtained in the eighth century, the historian Wylie says: "The evils of the time were legion; but all flowed from one colossal error: the cardinal truth of Christianity, that salvation is of grace, was completely obscured. By the most plausible pretexts and the most subtle devices was man led away from God, and taught to center all his hopes in himself. Faith was overthrown, and works were put in its room. The sacrifice of Christ was neglected, and man became his own savior."

For man to save himself by his own works has ever been one of the dreams of every false religion that has arisen, and a time of great intellectual light is just as susceptible to such doctrines as a time of great intellectual darkness — yes, even more susceptible. Men who desire to be saved from the destruction of death and to live eternally, are shut up to just one hope, and that is the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. No other hope brings satisfaction, no other plan brings rest to the soul; but the individual who knows Christ and His saving grace, has found rest and peace. His face is toward the future, and joys that can not be described are flooding his soul.