Devotional Column

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6889, 20 April 1929, Page 14

Devotional Column

PRECEPT. Glorify God, in your body, and in your sT'irit. which are God's. 1 Cor. 6, 20. PROMISE. (The Spirit of Truth) Ho shall glorify. John 16, 14. PRAISE. To him, be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Rev. 1, 6. The Cross of Christ must ever be of the deepest significance 1 to the believer, not only on the ground of our Saviour’s atoning sacrifice, but there must also be the realisation of his own personal identification with it,' in order to live in the resurrection power of the living Christ. As truly and as literally as Christ died, so we also died in Him. He have not yet grasped the full meaning of all that the crucifixion should mean to us, unless by faith we have seen ourselves upon that cross of suffering and death as “crucified with Christ.”

THE SECRET OF BEING KEPT. The secret of being kept by blessed power divine, is to keep ourselves in the love of God. There are always two sides to the question of salvation. Man must do his part in order that God may do His part. Wo must keep ourselves where God can keep us, and that is in His' love. Suppose you arc out in mid-oi can on some great liner, and a terrific storm arises and the waves dash over the ship. The passengers arc frightened, blu the captain roassujes them that the old ship has weathered a hundred such gales aud never foundered. And so all is safe. But how should one conduct himself? Should lie walk the gpleswept deck unconcerned? Should he poise himself carelessly near the rail and gazo down into the foaming billows? Such action would be foolhardy. No matter how safe the ship njay be, you must take care how you conduct yourself cn it, or you may be thrown into the sea and be lost. So on the great ark of salvation we are safe. She lias ridden the storms of centuries, and is plowing her way through to the eternal haven. But we must take care how wo conduct ourselves. IVc must keep ourselves in order that, we may be kept. There is an unfortunate error abroad in these days, that God will keep a man while that man docs as ho pleases. But it is sadly untrue; tho Bible teaches otherwise.' If we want our minds to bcpeaccful wo must keep them staid on Him. If we want our hearts riglft we must keep thorn right (Prov. iv. 23). If we make an effort to keep ourselves in His love He will keep us by His grace.

“That I may know Him, and tl;e power off His resurrection.” ... Phil. iu 3 10.

Oh, let mo know The power of Thy Resurrection Oh, let me show Thy Risen life in calm aud clear reflection; Oh, let me soar Where Thou, my Saviour Christ, art gone before; In mind and heart Let me dwell always, jonlv, where Thou art. —F. R. Havergal FAITH’S TRIUMPHS, In Romans 3. (1) No charge against ns.—v. 33. (2) No condemnation upon us.—v. 34.

(3) No evil can happen to ns.—v. 28.' (4) No good withholden from us.— v. 32. (5) No trial can overcome us.—v. 37. (6) No power can separate ns.—vs 3S. 39. (7) No comparison can express thi gl'ory that awaits us.—v. IS. FAITH. By Fred. Scott Shepard. What is Faith? Hcb. II: I). The acts! of faith are three: (1) The assent of the understanding, to tho truth; (2) The consent of the will and of the affections to tho plan of salvation; (3) Trust in tho Saviour and personal appropriation of His merits. Why is Faith Important? (1) Without it wo cannot please God. Hev.'ll: 6. (2) By it we live. Gal. 2; 20. (3) Through it all things are possible. Mark 9: 23; Matt. 17: 20. What is tho Origin and Object of Faith? rr

God is the author (Heb. 12: 2; 2 Pet. I: I), Christ is the source (Acts 3: 16; Gal. 2: 20; and the Spirit is the agent (I Cor. 12: 9). For the object seo Mark 11: 22; John C: 29; Acts 20: 21; 2 Cor. 13: 14). , . How can Faith be Increased? (1) By prayer. Luke 17: 5; Mark 9: 24. s N (2) Bv study of the Word. John 20: 3.1; Rom. 10: 17. (3) By exorcise. Hell. 12: 2. What arc some of the Characteristics of Faith? It works by love (Gal. S: 6); excludes boasting (Rom. 3: 27; Eph. 2: 8,9), produces peace, joy and hope in believing (Rom. 5:1; 15:13; I Pet. 1:8) and without it works are dead (Jas. 2: 17, 20). What Does it Secure? (1) Forgiveness. Rom. 3: 25. (2) Scnship. Gal. 3: 26. , (3) Justification. Rom.' 3: 28; 5: I; Gal. 2: 16. (4) Purification. Acts 26: 18. (5) Sanctification. Acts 26: IS. (6) Victory. Eph. 6:. 16; I John 5: 4.