OUR SOURCE OF ENERGY, OR LIFE.
By D. H. KRESS, M.D.
THERE is nothing more certain than the truthfulness of the words, "We know nothing yet as we ought to know." This becomes more and more evident as we advance in scientific knowledge. We can not expect any of the investigations made by men of science to be infallible. By bringing them to the test of the Word of God, we are able to winnow the wheat from the chaff, truth from error. The Word of God is the only infallible judge in matters of science, and the Creator of man is the only reliable authority pertaining to the human organism. It has been an accepted theory by the scientific world for ages that physical energy is derived from food, that this energy is stored up in food, and liberated, or set free, in the body by the process of oxidation. Recently an article appeared in the British Medical Journal in which the writer takes the position that energy is derived from a source of which as yet science knows little. He asserts that the food through oxidation merely keeps up the temperature of the body, or produces animal heat, nothing more. As an illustration that energy is not derived from food, the writer reasons something as follows: When fatigued, or tired, or when energy is exhausted by work, we do not advise more food, but we advise sleep. If energy were derived from food, we should recommend food in place of sleep. It is generally recognized that during the sleeping hours the brain and nerve cells store up in some way that subtle something which is termed nerve energy. This nerve energy is as much a mystery as electricity. It is an invisible power. We know that electricity exists, as we utilize it in many ways; but about it the scientific world knows little or nothing. Science gives this energy or power a name, but can not tell what it is, or where it is from. God's Word here comes to the aid of science, and says, All power is of God, or, "All things are of God," and "by Jesus Christ." Sin would have separated this world from God and this power if, through the foreknowledge of God, provision had not been made for such an emergency before the fall of man. Christ, the Righteous One, took man's stead, being "made sin for us." He bridged the chasm made by sin and through Him God's energy has not even been interrupted by the Fall, but flows in a continuous stream to this earth. All power is, therefore, still at the command of the human race if commanded aright; for none has been withdrawn.9 We certainly can not take the position that all the energy and life humanity is entitled to, is stored up in food. Neither would it be wise or in harmony with God's Word to say that we do not derive any energy from food. A certain amount of energy is stored up in food, for "man lives by bread," if "not by bread alone." While we are dependent on food, for energy and life, it is man's privilege, as an intelligent being, to draw upon an exhaustless supply and to recognize that it is not only present in food, but is everywhere present awaiting his demands. As the arm of the electrical tram touches the living wire, power flows through it, and the lifeless wheels begin to revolve, and the tram moves on with its heavy load. This is marvelous. A wonderful power is here laid hold of. By the things seen we may understand the things that are not seen. By the temporal we may understand something of the spiritual. The same provision made for mankind for carrying on their temporal affairs, has been made for man's physical and spiritual needs. But all power comes from the same source. This, many of the wise men and leaders of Christ's day did not know; had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. The power of God was present to heal them, but they failed to recognize or appropriate it. The poor woman who possessed little or no scientific knowledge, and had suffered many things of so-called scientific men, by the simple touch of faith united herself to, and appropriated, this invisible power, and was instantly healed of her infirmity. This the wise men of that time could not harmonize with science, for, according to their theory, healing could only take place gradually, even under the most favorable conditions. To those who were present when the palsied man was brought to Jesus by his friends for healing, He said, "That ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins" (Then saith He unto the sick of the palsy) "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house." "But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled." Here was a power they never dreamed of having an existence. Their dependence for energy had been, no doubt, only in food and drink. It was demonstrated that their supposed science was wrong, and that God's Word is true. "Man liveth not by bread alone." If this healing power is everywhere present, why do men not enjoy more of it; or, why are not all healed? Sin separates between God and man. Sin is the transgression of law. It follows that other things being equal, he who lives most fully in harmony with law, will be in possession of the greatest amount of energy and life. Christ came to save His people from all their sins, that they might be in possession of all power. This power can be realized in its fulness only by those who have been completely saved from all sin, or by those who have been fully brought into harmony with all of God's laws, physical and moral. Jesus said to the palsied man, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee," before He said "Take up thy bed and walk." Removal of sin is the opening of the channel through which this invisible life and energy from God may flow to His suffering children. Daily, as we are brought more fully into harmony with these laws, we open the channel of communication between God and us a little wider, and we will accordingly experience more fully of this healing power. Physical healing was a visible evidence to those who witnessed that miracle of God's power to forgive sin. "That ye may know that the Son of Man hath power to forgive sin." "The Lord That Healeth Thee."
God is anxious to heal. For this reason He imparts to man a knowledge of the laws of health, which men in the past have ignorantly transgressed, and, as a result, the honest and sincere, remained in ill health. He says to all, as He did anciently to the children of Israel, "If ye obey My voice, I will bless thy bread and water, and will take disease away from the midst of thee." Health reform opens many of the channels which in the past have been closed, the closing of which prevented the flow of divine energy to mankind. A brain that is dulled by drunkenness, by gluttony, or errors in eating, is separated to that extent from divine energy and healing power. By returning to the food provided for man by God in the beginning, the mind is made clearer, and man places himself at least where it is possible for him to receive more of the divine energy and life than the one who ignores these reforms. But to depend merely upon even the purest food for energy is a mistake; for "the just shall live by faith." By faith the just appropriate the energy stored up in the pure food, and that faith will not permit them to take anything but the best food. By faith they appropriate the life found in the pure air, and by faith they daily touch the hem of Christ's garment and appropriate the virtue that flows from God through Him to mankind.