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
"I beg to differ with the brother who has just spoken about this
matter of committing sin. Paul says, in the twentieth verse of this
chapter, 'But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,' and in
verse 17, 'For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more
they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness
shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.' And the very first verse
says, 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.' It is true that 'all have sinned,' as
verse 12 says, but Jesus came to save us from our sins. Did you never
read Matt. 1:21, 'And thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall
save his people from their sins'? Through Adam's sin we all became
sinners, Paul says, but through Christ 'shall many be made righteous.'
Through Adam we died in sin, through Christ we died to sin and live
unto righteousness. This chapter teaches very plainly that Jesus came
to bring grace sufficient to save us from our sins." And Robert sat
down.
Peter Newby had been standing all this time. He looked at Robert very
quizzically. Here was a new type of opponent, one who spoke with the
utmost frankness and confidence, and yet without the least taint of
braggadocio. But Peter never had been beaten in debate or argument; so
he returned to the discussion with great vim and determination.
"What does this young upstart know about the Scriptures? Why, I have
been a student of the Scriptures for fifty long years, many years
before this young man was born. I have heard many great preachers in
my time, and they all said that man was born unto sin as the sparks
are to fly upward. 'He that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.' This is what the Scriptures say. And I
have read where Solomon said that 'there is no man that sinneth not,'
and did not John say, 'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us'? Yes, he said that in 1 John
1:8. Ah, young man, you have much to learn yet about the Scriptures.
As long as we are in this old sinful flesh we will commit sin." And
Peter sat down, with an air of triumph.
Robert Davis arose immediately. Everybody present was on the tiptoe
of expectation. What would his reply be? They had not long to wait.
Turning directly to Peter Newby, he asked him a pointblank question:
"Sir, how much sin is there in this stove?" pointing to a stove that
stood there.
"None, I suppose," answered Peter, rather feebly, as if he feared a
trap were being laid for him.
"How much sin is there in the wood or stone of this house?" Robert
asked Peter next.
"None, I suppose," he replied.
"Well, then," asked Robert, "how much sin will there be in this old
body when it is dead?"
"I suppose there will be none," Peter replied in a tone that
registered defeat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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