To Him That Overcometh

HIM THAT OVERCOMETH. BY ELDER ATTEWALL WOOTTON.

"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

This statement of Paul is a general definition of the Gospel, the details of which every individual must learn and put into practice for himself in order that it may bring salvation to him individually- It will not do for him to sit still and merely believe that Jesus did it all, and that there is nothing for him to do only to believe. As well might the pupil in the school say, "The teacher is paid to teach me, so there is nothing for me to do only to believe that he is able and willing to do so, and I shall be educated." Steam is the power to run large ships across the ocean, but in ordei* to get the

benefit of that power, men are obliged to learn and work out all the details of machinery necessary, and apply the water and the fire, or it will drive no ships for them. Electricity is the power that can light up our streets and homes, but if we merely believe this and do nothing more, we shall remain in the dark until doomsday as far as electric light is concerned. Salvation is something more than merely an imaginary blissful condition in the next world which may be attained by acknowledg- ing that Jesus is the Christ. There is much in this life from which one needs to be saved in order to fit him for the anticipated glory

in the next. The first step towards salvation is a belief in God, the Father, and in his son Jesus Christ, through which men are saved

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from the doubts, fears and superstitions of the world. Next comes a consciousness of sin from which men desire to be saved, this comes through a sincere repentance and a turning away from sin, which is salvation from sin in the future; but by looking back the penitent sees a past life of sinful practices, the consequences of which he desires to escape. On account of his sincere repentance the way is opened, and baptism for the remission of sins by one having authority is administered, and he is saved from the conse- quences of past sins and is made white through the blood of the Lamb. Is there yet other things from which salvation is desirable?

0, yes, one of the worst things that stand in the way of advance- ment — the sin of ignorance. Salvation from this comes through the gift of the Holy Ghost, which "shall teach you all things, and show you things to come." There is yet another salvation that applies to all alike, whether they be wicked or righteous; this is brought about independent of the one who receives its benejfits; it is redemption from that con- dition most dreaded by mortals —salvation from death and the grave through the resurrection, brought about by the atoning blood of Christ, when all will be brought before the judgment seat to be judged according to the deeds done in the body. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." It might be supposed that this would complete the principles of salvation. But no, Paul says, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judg- ment. And this will we do if God permit." How are we to go on to perfection? By saving ourselves, with the help of the Lord, from all evil passions incident to fallen human nature. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne." First, it is necessary to be saved from worldly pride. "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein." Then salvation from avarice is

essential. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." Are any given to a hasty temper? salvation is

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needed. "Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment." Do any hold malice? "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you." Are any drunkards? "No drunkards shall inherit the kingdom of God." These evil tendencies from which salvation is necessary, might be enumerated indefinitely. Not only these must be overcome by the aid of the Holy Spirit, but even the thoughts of the heart must be brought into subjection to the will of God. "For out of the heart proceedeth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which de- file a man." Who can be perfect without overcoming these things? When men teach that all that is necessary to salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ, believe them not, for they are blind leaders of the blind, and all will fall intothe ditch; but rather believe him who said, "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."