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The Spirit of the Christian

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 5, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 6.

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The Spirit of the Christian

By O. B. Kuhn

"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," much less enter in. The disciples of the Lord in their early ministry, in an unconverted condition, did not see the principles of the kingdom. James and John saw one casting out devils in the name of Jesus, and forbade him because he was not identified with them in their teaching. "He followeth not with us." While they thought they had the Lord's honor in mind, they were actually guarding their own reputation and honor.
Because some were rude, discourteous, and inhospitable to their Saviour, James and John said to him, "Wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?" His answer, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of," shows that the disposition of the disciples to hurt and destroy was evidence that they possessed the spirit of Satan. "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."
Peter endeavored to defend the Lord and himself with the sword. This act revealed an assertive but not a truly courageous character. A little later he denied the Lord in a cowardly manner.
Such a spirit manifested in the lives of the disciples indicated the aggressiveness of the human heart, but not the progressiveness of the regenerated life.
The Saviour's ministry to the afflicted and the spiritual interpretation of his work given in his discourses revealed the principles of his kingdom,—love, mercy, forgiveness, humility, faith, sympathy, etc. The decision of the judgment will be based upon these. Isa. 58: 3-14; Matt. 25: 31-46.
Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium.