SEEKING PROOF OF MAN'S NATURAL IMMORTALITY.
By G.
If men would believe the testimony of the Word of God, they would not seek outside of it for proof of that which is plainly disproved inside of it. Again, if men who profess to believe the Word of God could find in it the proof of the immortality of the soul, they would not seek outside of it for such proof. Therefore, a belief of the Holy Scriptures would save much labor and expense in the promulgation of a great delusion, and the necessity of much more labor and sacrifice in order to refute the error. The Pittsburg Christian Advocate says: “The books written on this subject would make an immense library. They have been written in many languages, and from time to time throughout all the historic years of the world. A simple catalog of them would make a very bulky volume. Within the last few years much has been added to the literature of this all-absorbing question. There has been a revolt against the gross materialism of science, so called, and from the critical and purely scientific point of view many notable books have recently been written seeking, outside the teaching of the Word of God, to establish on some solid basis the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. Scientists have emerged from the materialistic school, and declare their belief in a future life, without accepting the teachings of Christianity as of divine authority.” It has always been the aim of “science falsely so called” to establish doctrine, or theory—nominal truth—without acknowledging Christ; but no “solid basis” for anything but delusion has been, or can be, found in that way. Satan invented the doctrine of the immortality of the soul for the purpose of turning mankind from the acknowledgment of dependence on God for life. The declaration of the tempter, “Thou shalt not surely die,” was designed to beget doubt of God’s declaration that, if man should disobey, he should “surely die.” And the same assertion of the enemy works to the denial of the Gospel of Christ; for the reason that the Gospel promises eternal life to believers, while the adversary’s immortal-soul doctrine alleges that man already has eternal life in himself. The Advocate further comments on the subject as follows: “It is because of the supreme importance of getting on to some stable basis and setting these tormenting fears at rest, that we point out the ground on which we may rest and bid defiance to death, and have victory over the grave. It is in ‘Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.’ To all who accept Jesus as the Son of God, who believe that He spoke with divine authority, and that all He taught was declared to be true by His resurrection from the dead, the belief in a future life is put on such immovable ground that doubt, when it comes, is put to flight at once. Our belief in it can crumble and fall only with the decline of our belief in Christ Himself.” The scripture herein quoted is indeed a “stable basis,” but not of the doctrine of man’s inherent immortality, the natural immortality of the soul. It is a solid basis for the doctrine that the sinner, tho under sentence of death, may still find life and immortality in Jesus Christ—not in himself. And this all-important truth is “brought to light in the Gospel.” So the scripture says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Eze. 18:4. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. If man had immortality in himself, it could be said that he has life and immortality through Adam; and that is just what scientists are endeavoring to establish outside of the Bible, in other words, independently of the Gospel of Christ. The saddest part of it is, that they get so much encouragement from men who profess to believe the Gospel. Christ has given us this declaration: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God [the wages of sin] abideth on him.” John 3:36. And the apostle Paul assures us that eternal life is the reward of “them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality.” Rom. 2:6-9. Why should one seek for immortality if he has it already? Furthermore Paul tells us that immortality is a condition to be “put on” at the resurrection. “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” See 1 Cor. 15:51-57. The completion of the victory in Christ is the bestowal of immortality, the “crown of righteousness,” at the second coming of the Lord in glory. 2 Tim. 4:6-8. Believers have the assurance of eternal life, but it is the “assurance of faith.” Our eternal life is the gift of God in Christ. 1 John 5:11. “Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God,” to be given at His coming. Col. 3:3, 4. Eternal life is a matter of hope and of promise. Titus 1:1, 2; 1 John 2:25. Both hope and promise imply future realization, and not inherent possession. “We are saved by hope; but hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man seeth [or hath], why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not [or have not], then do we with patience wait for it.” Rom. 8:24, 25. “Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13.