Bible Review V15: October 1916 - March 1918 - Iapsop.com

24 mam: naviaw Oct.
"grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the truth [of
the teachings of the Christ]," how man) of these thirgs
are surely known that were not known centuries ago?
In other words, how much of the Christian religion that
to our forefathers was only faith, remains but faith today?
We feel safe in saying that if those thirgs that
were matters of faith to our forefathers of a century or
more ago remain to the Church but matters of faith still,
then for a century or more there has been no growth in
the Church. But one will say, "Faith in the vicarious
virtue of the blood that was shed upon Calvary must
always remain but faith, only after death we find it
true." It is true that the faith taught by the Christian
Church must remain always a faith, and cannot be knowledge
to the living; but the teachings of the Christ were
of things that can be known, else why his declaration,
"Ye shall know the truth"? Thru the prophet, God cried
to the people, "Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I
will also reject thee." It is not enough that we say, "I
have faith, I have' an abundant unwavering faith."
we ask, as it was asked of old, "Can faith save him?"
But
(James ii. 14.) Knowledge is gained by experience,
faith may be gained thru teaching. Then faith that does
not lead to experience, and thru experience to knowledge,
is in vain.
Jesus taught that it is possible to know Gcd.
To say,
"I know such a one," means that that one has been seen,
and recognized, and would be recognized if seen again.
Again, Jesus declared that "The pure in heart shall
see God." Again, he declared, "This is life eternal, that
they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ
whom thou hast sent." That is, it is possible for one,
by practising the teachings given, to see Gcd's face, and
to know him; and when this knowledge is gained, endless
life is assured.
But this attaining of endless life is not