Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 139
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132 LIFE OF PAUL . Yet theoperationsof theSpiritarealwaysin harmony with the writtenword. As in thenatural, so in the spiritualworld. Human life ispreserved, moment by moment, by divine power; yet itisnotsustainedby a directmiracle, but throughthe use of blessingsplacedwithin our reach. So the life of the Christian is sustainedby the use of thosemeans which Providencehas supplied. He must eat of the bread of life, and drink of the waters of salvation. He must watch, he must pray, he must work, inallthingsgivingheed to the instructiorsof the word of God,ifhe would " grow up to the full measure of the stature of a man in Christ Jesus ." There isstillanother lesson for us in the experienceof thoseJewish converts. When they receivedbaptismatthehand of John,theywere holdingseriouserrors. But with clearerlight theygladlyacceptedChristas theirRedeemer; and with thisadvance stepcame a change in theirobligations. As they receiveda purer faith, therewas a correspondingchange in theirlife and character. In token of thischange, and as an acknowledgmentof theirfaithin Christ,they were rebaptized,inthename of Jesus. Many a sincerefollowerof Christhas had a similarexperience. A clearerunderstandingof God'swill, placesman in a new relationto him. New duties are revealed . Much which before appearedinnocent,or even praiseworthy, isnow seento be sinful. The apostlePaul statesthat thoughhehad, ashe supposed,renderedobedience to the law of God , yet when the commandment was urged upon his conscienceby the Holy Spirit, " sinrevived, and I died." He saw him