Read carefully the first verses of the sixth chapter of Romans, before beginning the study of the remaining verses in this lesson. A few words are sufficient to summarize them. They treat of death with Christ, and burial and resurrection with him. In being crucified with him, we give up our own lives, in order that we may be raised with him in his new life. We are then to continue to live with him, since “Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more.” The lesson closed with the exhortation, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The closing of the previous lesson at verse 11 was purely arbitrary, since there is really no division in the chapter. The present lesson therefore begins with
An Exhortation.
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh; for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:12–23.
Questions on the Text.
How have we learned that we are to regard ourselves?
“Reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
If dead to sin but alive unto God, how are we to stand related to sin?
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body.”
If sin reign in our body, what do we do?
“Obey it in the lusts thereof.”
What further exhortation is given?
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin.”
To what are we to yield ourselves?
“Yield yourselves unto God.”
In what way?
“As those that are alive from the dead.”
And what are our members to be?
“Instruments of righteousness unto God.”
If we thus yield ourselves as instruments of righteousness unto God, what will be the result?
“Sin shall not have dominion over you.”
Why will sin not have dominion over us?
“For ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
“What then? shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?”
“God forbid.” Not by any means,—far from it.
Whose servants are we?
“To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.”
What were we formerly, when not under grace?
“The servants of sin.”
But what has now been done for us?
“Made free from sin.”
How was it that we were made free from sin?
“Ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
Being made free from sin, what have we become?
“The servants of righteousness.”
How are we now to yield our members servants to righteousness?
“As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity.”
When we were the servants of sin, from what were we free?
“When ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.”
What is the fruit of those things of which we are or should be ashamed?
“The end of those things is death.”
But what now that we are made free from sin, and are the servants of God?
“Ye have your fruit unto holiness.”
And what is the end?
“The end everlasting life.”
What is the wages of sin?
“The wages of sin is death.”
And what the gift of God?
“The gift of God is eternal life.”
Through whom?
“Through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Reign of Sin.—In the fifth chapter we learned that the reign of sin is the reign of death, because death comes by sin. But we also learned that the gift of life is offered to all, so that whoever has Christ has life. Instead5of death reigning over such, they themselves “shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.” The exhortation, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,” is therefore equal to an exhortation to abide in Christ, or to keep his life. We gained the life by faith, and so we are to keep it.
Whose Servants?—Whose servants are we? That is very easy to answer. “To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.” If we yield ourselves to sin, then we are the servants of sin; for “whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34. But if we yield ourselves to righteousness, then we are the servants of righteousness. “No man can serve two masters.” Matt. 6:24. We can not serve both sin and righteousness at the same time. No man can at once be both a sinner and a righteous man. Either sin or righteousness must rule.
Instruments.—We have in this chapter two terms to describe men, namely, servants and instruments. It takes both to illustrate the relation of men to sin and righteousness. Sin and righteousness are rulers. Men are but instruments in their hands. The kind of work a given instrument will do depends entirely upon the one who uses it. For instance, here is a good pen; what kind of work will it do?—It will do good work if it is in the hands of a skillful penman, but in the hands of a bungler its work will be poor. Or, in the hands of a good man it will write only what is good; but in the hands of a bad man it will exhibit that which is evil. But man is not a mere tool. No, not by any means. There is this difference between men and ordinary instruments: the latter have no choice as to who shall use them, while the former have full choice as to whom they will serve. They must yield themselves, not once only, but all the time. If they yield to sin, they will commit sin. If they yield to God, to be instruments in his hands, they can do nothing else but good so long as they are yielded to him.
A Parallel.—In the nineteenth verse we are exhorted to yield ourselves as servants of righteousness just as we have yielded ourselves servants to sin. This being done, we are assured in the following verses that just as surely as the fruit was sin and death when we were yielded to sin, so surely will the fruit be holiness when we yield ourselves servants to righteousness. Yea, even more sure; for “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Righteousness is stronger than sin, even as God is stronger than Satan. God can pluck out of the hands of Satan the soul that cries out for deliverance; but none can pluck God’s children out of his hand.
Not under the Law.—Many people are fond of quoting this expression, thinking that it forever absolves them from any observance of the law of God. Strange to say, this expression is used as a cover only for non-observance of the fourth commandment. Repeat the fourth commandment to a man who objects to keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day, and he will say, “We are not under the law.” Yet that same man will quote the third commandment to a man whom he hears swearing, or the first and second against the heathen, and will acknowledge the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments. Thus it appears that men do not really believe that the statement that we are not under the law means that we are at liberty to break it. Let us study the whole verse, and its different parts.
What Is Sin?—“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17. This is definite; let us hold it well in our minds.
What Is Righteousness.—Righteousness is the opposite of sin, because “all unrighteousness is sin.” But “sin is the transgression of the law.” Therefore righteousness is the keeping of the law. So when we are exhorted to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God, it is the same as telling us to yield ourselves to obedience to the law.
Dominion of Sin.—Sin has no dominion over those who yield themselves servants to righteousness, or to obedience to the law; because sin is the transgression of the law. Now read the whole of the fourteenth verse: “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” That is to say, transgression of the law has no place in them who are not under the law. Then those who are not under the law are those who obey the law. Those who break it, are under it. Nothing can be plainer.
Under Grace.—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace.” We have seen that those who are not under the law are the ones who are keeping the law. Those, therefore, who are under the law are the ones who are breaking it, and who are therefore under its condemnation. But grace delivers from sin. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Distressed by the threatenings of the law, which we have broken, we flee for refuge to Christ, who is “full of grace and truth.” There we find freedom from condemnation, because freedom from sin. In him we not only find grace to cover all our sin, but we find the righteousness of the law, because he is full of truth, and the law is the truth. Ps. 119:142. Grace reigns through righteousness, or obedience to the law, unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Wages of Sin.—In the second chapter we learned that those who reject the goodness of God are treasuring up to themselves wrath. Now wrath comes only on the children of disobedience. Eph. 5:6. Those who sin are laying up wages for themselves. “The wages of sin is death.” Sin has death in it. “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” There can be no other end to sin than death, because sin is the absence of righteousness, and righteousness is the life and character of God. Persistent and final choice of sin is, therefore, choice of complete separation from the life of God, and so from all life, since he is the only source of life. Christ, who is the wisdom of God, says, “All they that hate me love death.” Prov. 8:36. Those who suffer death at last will be only those who have worked for it.
The Gift of God.—But men do not work for eternal life. No works that men could do would make the smallest part of payment towards it. It is the gift of God. True, it comes only through righteousness, but righteousness is a gift. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained [prepared] that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:8–10. “O how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Ps. 31:19. When men sin, God gives them only what they have bargained and worked for. But if any yield themselves as servants of righteousness, he provides the righteousness for them, and gives them eternal life with it, all as a free gift. “The way of the transgressor is hard.” But the yoke of Christ is easy, and his burden is light. E. J. W.
FIENDISHNESS
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
HERE is a horse at the bottom of a hill, with a load as great as he can possibly draw on a level road. Every particle of strength that the poor horse has is exerted to draw the load on the smooth, level road; but, notwithstanding that, the merciless driver plies the lash with all his might, to try to compel the horse to draw it up the hill, a thing which is impossible. Could anything be more wickedly cruel? If the horse had sufficient strength, a little application of the lash would incite him to use it, but it can not impart any strength to him. Whipping a horse never adds to his strength; and so to whip a horse to make him do that which he has no strength to do, is fiendishness. Who would not feel indignation at such cruelty?
Here is a man who is “without strength” to do that which is right. That weakness he shares in common with all men, “because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7. No man is stronger than Christ was, and he said, “I can of mine own self do nothing;” “the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” John 5:30; 14:10. And now a company of men associated together in some capacity, decide that that man shall be compelled by all the pains and penalties of civil law, to serve the Lord. They will bring all the machinery of government to bear upon him, to compel him to do that which is utterly6beyond his power. If the other is true, fiendishness, what is this?
Ought not the man to do right?—Yes. Does not God require him to do right?—Most certainly. Then why is it wrong for his fellow-men to try to compel him to do what the Lord requires him to do?—Simply because the Lord himself does not seek to compel man to do that which is right. He knows that that would be of no use. He knows that man has not the power, and so he himself supplies the power that the man needs. He comes and works in the man, “both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Surely God’s way is infinitely above man’s way. E. J. W.
THE CHRISTIAN MOTHER A COWORKER WITH GOD.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
“THEN were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them.” Mark gives a little different version of the circumstance, and says: “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
The disciples thought that the work of the Master was altogether too important to be interrupted, or, as they thought, hindered, by the introduction of a company of children who were being conducted by their mothers into the presence of Christ. The disciples supposed that these children were too young to be benefited by an interview with Jesus, and concluded that he would be much displeased and annoyed by their presence. But it was the disciples with whom he was displeased. The Saviour understood the care and burden of the mothers who were seeking to train their children according to the word of God. He knew their travail of soul; he had seen them engaged in earnest prayer in behalf of their little ones. He himself had drawn them into his presence. One weary mother had left her home with her little ones clinging to her. As she went on her way, she met a neighbor, and made known her errand, and created a desire in her neighbor’s heart7to have Christ also bless her children. Thus several mothers came together, leading their little ones along. Some of the children had passed beyond the age of babyhood to childhood and youth. When they made known their errand, Jesus heard with sympathy and compassion their timid, tearful requests. But he waited to see how the disciples would treat these mothers and their little ones. When he saw them sending them away, mistakenly supposing that they were doing the Master a great favor, he showed them their error, and tenderly received the mothers and their little ones. He took the children in his arms, and laid his hands upon their heads. He pillowed the weary heads of the little ones upon his breast of infinite love. He gave them the blessing for which they came.
On the occasion of receiving the children, Christ gave his disciples a lesson which they never forgot. They listened with amazement to the words, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.” The mothers who had led their children to Jesus, were comforted by his compassion. But the mothers of to-day are also to understand and cherish these words. They are to lay hold of them with the same faith as did the women who brought their children to Jesus, who had sought Christ with trembling fear and yet with eager earnestness. These mothers were encouraged to take up with new cheerfulness their burden of care and love, and to work hopefully for their children. Every care-burdened mother should receive the words of Christ in the same spirit.
But he also stated truth that is of general application. He said, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child [ready to be taught and led of Christ, ready to believe in him as a personal Saviour], he shall not enter therein.” Men and women are only grown-up children. They are under discipline to God even as children are under discipline to their earthly parents. The church is composed of men and women who have the same nature, the same dispositions, as did the little children who were brought to Christ. The members of our churches are composed of persons who have like impulses, who manifest the likes and dislikes, who display the same passions, as did the children who upon receiving Christ were to compose his heavenly kingdom.
How appropriate it was that these children should be brought to Christ for his intercession and blessing! They were types of what the members of his church should become. The children of God are to possess the humility, the loving trust, the teachable spirit, the innocence, uncorrupted by worldly deception, that were possessed by the little children.
Christian mothers should realize that they are coworkers with God when training and disciplining their children in such a manner as will enable them to reflect the character of Christ. In this work they will have the co-operation of heavenly angels; but it is a work that is sadly neglected, and for this reason Christ is robbed of his heritage,—the younger members of his family. But through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, humanity may be a coworker with divinity. The lessons of Christ upon the occasion of receiving the children, should leave a deeper impression upon our minds. The words of Christ encourage parents to bring their little ones to Jesus . They may be wayward, and possess passions like those of humanity, but this should not deter us from bringing them to Christ. He blessed children that were possessed of passions like his own. We often err in training our children. Parents often indulge their children in that which is selfish and demoralizing, and, instead of having travail of soul for their salvation, they let them drift along, and grow up with perverse tempers and unlovely characters. They do not accept their God-given responsibility to educate and train their children for the glory of God. They become dissatisfied with their children’s manners, and disheartened as they realize that their faults are the result of their own neglect, and then they become discouraged. But if parents would feel that they are never released from their burden of educating and training their children for God, if they would do their work in faith, co-operating with God by earnest prayer and work, they would be successful in bringing their children to the Saviour. Let fathers and mothers devote themselves, soul, body, and spirit, to God before the birth of their children. Let them heed the directions that God revealed to the wife of Manoah: “The angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, . . . thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.” The burden of this message was a burden of instruction to the wife of Manoah. She was greatly troubled, and Manoah sought the Lord in earnest prayer, and said: “O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field; but Manoah her husband was not with her. And the woman made haste, and ran, and showed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day. And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am. And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. She may not eat of anything that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; all that I commanded her let her observe.”
In this instruction it is manifest, that before the birth of her child the mother is to be careful in her habits. She must not indulge a perverted appetite, or partake of wine or strong drink, or eat of any unclean thing. The habits of a mother have an influence upon the appetites and passions of her child. The Lord regarded instruction to the mother of such importance that he sent an angel, who veiled his glory, in order to give a direct message to the wife of Manoah, and prescribe the course of action which she should pursue. The instruction given to the wife of Manoah is the instruction that all mothers should follow in order that the prenatal influence may be of a right character.
She who expects to become a mother should keep her soul in the love of God. Her mind should be at peace; she should rest in the love of Jesus, practicing the words of Christ . She should remember that the mother is a laborer together with God. He is the great worker as well as the lawgiver. While we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, God is to work in us to will and to do of his good-pleasure. “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Mothers, let your hearts be open to receive the instruction of God, ever bearing in mind the fact that you must act your part in conforming to the will of God. You must place yourself in the light, and seek from God wisdom, that you may know how to act, that you may acknowledge God as the chief worker, and realize that you are a laborer together with him. Let your heart be drawn out in contemplation of heavenly things. Exercise your God-given talents in doing the duties which God has enjoined upon you as a mother, and work in partnership with divine agencies. Labor intelligently, and, “whether ye eat, or whether ye drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Question Corner
“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”
No. 292. A Conditional Prophecy.
WILL you please explain the following scriptures: Eze. 47:1, 12; 48:31? What city is this mentioned in the last text? J. H. COX.
We understand that the last nine chapters of the book of Ezekiel are conditional prophecy, based on Israel’s acceptance or rejection of God’s message. The principle of these conditions is clearly stated in Jer. 18:9, 10. The conditions of the fulfillment of the promises of the prophecy, the building of the sanctuary, the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, the wonderful glory of Jerusalem, etc., were that Israel should be ashamed of their evil doings and put away their iniquities. See Eze. 43:9-11. But Israel did not repent; consequently the sanctuary was never builded, Jerusalem was never enlarged and glorified as promised, the healing waters never sprang forth, etc. But all these things will be fulfilled even more gloriously in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. See chapters 21, 22 of Revelation. That Ezekiel’s prophecy can never in the future be fulfilled is evident from the fact that the blood of bulls and goats will no longer be acceptable to the Lord even as a type. See Heb. 9:9-11. Yet had Israel yielded to God, these offerings would have still been made by the sons of Levi. See Ezekiel 45 and 46.
It was doubtless partially and typically fulfilled when the ten tribes of Israel were carried away captive because they rejected the Lord; and will meet its ultimate fulfillment after probation closes, the plagues of God’s wrath begin to fall, and the work of the servants of God is done. See Rev. 22:11, 12. Then men who have rejected the word of the Lord will seek it, not because they love it, but that they may be saved from the fruit of their own doings. See Prov. 1:23-32; Isa. 65:11-14.
It doubtless will be then fulfilled. Compare with Luke 13:28, 29. Of course, in a degree it is now true. Every one who accepts Christ is represented in him, exalted with him to the heavenly places; but its fullness will be when Christ takes the throne of his glory, at his second coming.
No. 295. Women Speaking in Churches.
WILL you please explain through the columns of your paper 1 Cor. 14:34? J. C. QUILLIN.
See Signs of the Times, March 5, 1896, page 4, answer to question No. 278.
No. 296. Nehemiah and Sabbath Laws.
WILL you please explain Neh. 13:15-22 with reference to the Sunday-law question? A READER.
Nehemiah was acting as the agent of God in the work that he did. Israel was still under the special providence of God, not a pure theocracy, it is true, but still a modified theocracy, in which God spoke directly by his prophets to his people. See Ezra 6:14; Neh. 2:12, 18, and all through the book. The city was the Lord’s city, the people the Lord’s people, the Sabbath was the Lord’s Sabbath, and those who did not keep it were interlopers, working against the direct plan and providence of God in the restoration of the city. The place, the time, the circumstances have no parallel in the matter of modern or ancient Sunday laws.
No. 297. The Gospel Commission.
WHAT authority have Christian churches to set apart a select portion of their teachers to carry into effect a part of the commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach [“make disciples of,” margin] all nations, baptizing them,” etc.? Is there any Bible authority? J. C. B.
The commission to show forth the praises of Christ is given to the whole church. See 1 Peter 2:9. But there are different kinds of work to be done, and to supply all this God has placed different gifts, ministers, and offices in the church, such as wisdom, knowledge, healing, prophecy, working of miracles, tongues, helps, governments, apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors, elders, deacons, etc. See Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-31; Eph. 4:7-13, et al. Some of these officers were specially mentioned, the qualifications requisite set forth, and they solemnly set apart by the church for their important duties. See Acts 6:2-6; 13:1-3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Titus 3:5, etc. These scriptures certainly give ample authority for the setting apart of special persons for special work. But there is room for all.
No. 298. The Lying Spirit.
PLEASE explain 1 Kings 22:23, concerning the “lying spirit.” CHAS. E. HALL.
God desires to send truth and light to his people always; but when they reject his counsel, his light, his truth, his prophets, his Spirit, he then permits to come upon them that which they choose. So it is often said that the Lord sends that which he permits, because without his permission it could not go. But God never permits the lying spirit to deceive, nor the “strong delusion” to come upon the people, till they reject the love of the truth. See 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Prov. 1:29-31.
No. 299. Wicked after the 1,000 Years.
IS THERE any proof in Isa. 65:20 that the wicked will live upon the earth 1,000 years after their resurrection?
Nothing but inferential proof. Rev. 20:5, 8, 9 shows that they will live, that Satan will deceive them and marshal them into armies. How long this will take we are not told in this scripture. But might we not infer from Isa. 65:20 that this would be a period of 100 years, during which time the responsible lost child and the mature sinner would alike die at the end of the period? We merely suggest it.
No. 300. The Worm Shall Not Die.
PLEASE explain Isa. 66:24, “The worm shall not die.” C. T. D.
The worm is an agent of destruction, which consumes—not living beings, but “the carcasses of the men that have transgressed” against God. What the worm does not devour, the fire will consume; but the worm shall not die nor will the fire be quenched till it has done its work. Isa. 51:8. But the fire will utterly consume, or burn up, the wicked. See Matt. 3:12; Mal. 4:1; Rev. 18:8; 20:9; Ps. 37:20.
FOR remarks on the last nine chapters of Ezekiel see answer to question No. 292.
No. 302. The Day of the Lord.
WILL the day of the Lord be dark to his people?
If they were here on this earth, it would be; for it is to this earth and its desolate, dark condition that the day of the Lord pertains. See Amos 5:18-20; Zeph. 1:14-18; Rev. 6:15-17; Isa. 13:9-11. So to all who desire the day of the Lord on this earth, thinking it to be a good time, it will be darkness and not light. The people of God will not then be on the earth, however, but in heaven with Christ (John 14:1-3; Rev. 19:1); and where the Lord is, there is light.
A TOWER IN THE HEART.
By Eliza H. Morton
BY ELIZA H. MORTON.
I built a tower in my heart
With many a precious thought,
I polished well with fancy’s touch
Each offering that I brought.
I decked the tower with wreaths of flowers;
It was to me a shrine.
I said, This tower shall always stand,
Forever it is mine.
A storm arose, the tower fell;
Its beauty all was gone;
I gazed upon the wreck with tears,
And life seemed left forlorn.
An idol in the heart is like
A tower, graceful, fair,
But we shall find as years go by
It lost in empty air.
’Tis vain to worship things of earth;
Our God, a mighty Tower,
In him is refuge, peace, and love,
And comfort every hour.
North Deering, Maine.
SAVED BY HIS LIFE.
By S. N. H.
BY S. N. H.
“If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” These are most wonderful words. It was Christ’s death on the cross that paid the penalty for sin. He died as man’s substitute, and by his death the Father is reconciled to man in Christ. Now if God is thus reconciled, much more we shall be saved by the life of Christ. The connection of Christ with humanity exalted the human, by Christ’s divinity, to the divine. He brought salvation into honest labor, so those who were engaged in the same might experience salvation in the performance of it. Whatever Christ did when upon earth, was exalted to an equality with himself. By his performing the act salvation was placed in the act itself.
If Christ supported himself and mother by his daily toil, then there is salvation in any one doing it, providing it be done with cheerfulness. It is thus that in our daily life there is salvation. The neglecting of any daily duties that come to us, or the slighting of them because they appear of little importance to us, is rejecting salvation the same as if we rejected some spiritual duty; for in all of these things Christ brought salvation. Said Martin Luther on a certain occasion: “If I pick up a straw because God says so, there is salvation in it. But should I go to Rome on my hands and knees, and God not tell me to do it, there is no salvation in it.” Christ said, “Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in nowise lose his reward.”
Christ, for the love he had for a lost race, left heaven, laid aside the glory he had with the Father, his position at his right hand, voluntarily came to this earth, took not upon himself the nature of angels, or even man as he was created, but our fallen nature: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” What wonderful words are these! In the accomplishment of this he, after taking our nature, engaged in worldly labor for his support, so he could8 (232)reach, in order to lift up man and exalt him to dwell with him in glory.
It was not simply giving an outward sanction to the lawfulness of daily toil, but he actually performed it himself, and therefore brought into it himself, or, in other words, eternal life; so he who performs such labor for the glory of God, to lighten others’ load, to bring others to Christ, not only receives divine sanction, but obtains eternal life in the performance of the act itself. But it should be in the same faith and hope as in the performance of any religious duty, “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
