The Difference | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jul 24, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 30.

The Difference.

It has not escaped notice that Paul speaks of the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit—as if he would emphasize the fact that the Spirit is life. Graces grow spontaneously in the Spirit-nourished life, and yet they require cultivation. Look at them! They are grouped in threes: Love, joy, and peace; patience toward others, kindness, benevolence; good faith, meekness, self-restraint. Gal. 5: 22.

How much can a man do for himself in the cultivation of these! Take the fundamental grace, which is at the same time the most original and spontaneous, Love. Can a man compel himself to love?—Certainly. Let him take the most unlovely thing which ought to be loved, and let him steadily ignore the unlovely aspects while diligently dwelling upon the aspects of promise and see how completely he can change his temper and attitude. The ability and determination to do this is one of the tests of the regenerate life. Can a drunkard discipline himself to self-control?—Yes, unless the habit has invaded the will. And by the Spirit of God he can achieve it whatever his condition.

In the conflict between spirit and flesh, therefore, the first step is for a man to feel the responsibility of working out his own salvation, the next that of availing himself of the grace of God by which he can do all things.—Selected.