"IF YE WILL INQUIRE, INQUIRE YE."
By Editor
This Inquirers' Department is conducted for the purpose of helping those who are studying the Bible. The answers are oftentimes only suggestive. They are never to be considered infallible, only as they agree with the infallible Word. The writer who may answer them does not consider that his opinion is infallible. He will simply give the best that he has, and plead with the inquirer to search the Word. Such questions only will be answered as, to the editors, seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. We can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. No letters are answered which do not contain the name of the writer. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply. 3303.— The Craving for Sin
You speak in an article of "days of agony to some" in overcoming sinful habits. Are we worshiping a powerless Christ? Do you think it incredible that He can remove the craving for sin? C. No, we do not think it incredible at all; we know that He can do it, but we do know that He does not do it always. We do think that it would be a general, perhaps universal thing which would be done if the soul could rightly relate himself to God, could see the sin in all its awful sinfulness, could be more willing to die than to continue in sin, and then by faith grasp the fulness of Christ's power. Sometimes there is not simply the momentary cleansing, but there is the character to be formed which God has in mind, and in that character which He is forming He wants help for other characters that are forming; consequently He permits His children to fight hard battles in order that they may know how to help others who are fighting hard battles. It has been well said by one of experience, "Never pray for victory unless you are willing to fight the battle." Another one has said that God expects of the soul who is overcoming, as much effort on his part as tho he had it all to do himself, tho he could do nothing; and yet trust in God as tho he expected that God must do all for him. Our blessed Lord took upon Himself the sins of humanity, just what the sinner himself must pass through. If we want to know something of what His feelings were, read the 22d Psalm, prophetic of Him in the flesh. Read Heb. 5:7-9, and the glimpse of His experiences as revealed in the Gospels. He poured out His soul with strong crying and tears even unto death, not that He expected that His agony, His prayers, His tears would help or purchase what He desired, but that His desires were so great that they led Him to do those very things; and so He was, so are we in this world. We are to be followers of the Master. If He gives us faith to grasp the complete victory instantaneously, let us praise God for it and be ready for the next. But let us not permit that victory once so easily gained to lift us up in self-righteousness in any way, or lead us to condemn our less fortunate brother seemingly who may be passing through a Gethsemane. In both cases God may give equal victory.