Around Old Bethany: A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary DavisBerry, R. L. (Robert Lee)
Religion
Around Old Bethany: A Story of the Adventures of Robert and Mary Davis
Berry, R. L. (Robert Lee)
Christian fiction; Church of God (Anderson, Ind.) -- Fiction
"His whole argument, down to and including verse 6, is that we have
died to the law through crucifixion with Christ, and are therefore
free to marry another. We have become dead to the law, and since death
dissolves the marriage vow, we are, therefore, free from connection
with the law, and are joined unto Christ. Beginning with verse 14 to
the end of the chapter, is given an explanation of how Paul's sinful
nature brought him into subjection to its demands. It is a clear
testimony of an honest man's experience under the old law. By that law
he became aware of sin and felt its sinfulness, yet that law brought
no grace nor power to preserve him from violating its prohibitions. He
desired to do good, but could not. Sin came to life and slew him. Paul
was condemned by the law, and yet he could not come from under the
condemnation. He was, so to speak, tied or married to a dead body, a
law or master which brought death, and he wondered where deliverance
would come from. 'Thank God,' he says, 'it will come through Jesus
Christ the Lord.'
"This cannot be the experience of Christians," said Robert. "If you
will just look at the second verse of chapter 8, you will find these
words: 'For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me
free from the law of sin and death.' And verse 3 says, 'For what the
law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, [or by a
sacrifice for sin] condemned sin in the flesh,' and verse 4 states:
'That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,' etc.
"Hence, it is evident that Christians are to live holy lives. God
demands holiness of us. 'Be ye holy; for I am holy,' says 1 Pet. 1:16.
Yea, we are to repent and turn away from all sin, for Christ 'gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works' (Titus 2:14).
And 'the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all
men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world'
(Titus 2:11, 12)."
The arrow of conviction shot deep down into many hearts as Robert
Davis spoke these words. The truth he spoke commended itself to
their minds and consciences. Some rebelled, and rejected his sound
arguments. Peter Newby especially was agitated. He felt himself
sinking into despair, as far as argument was concerned. Old Mr.
Stephenson and Charley Moss trembled from head to foot. The Spirit of
God was working powerfully in their and others' hearts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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