Science of Salvation the First of Sciences
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The jewels of truth lie scattered over the field of revelation; but
they have been buried beneath human traditions, beneath the sayings
and commandments of men, and the wisdom from heaven has been
practically ignored; for Satan has succeeded in making the world be-
lieve that the words and achievements of men are of great consequence.
The Lord God, the Creator of the worlds, at infinite cost has given the
gospel to the world. Through this divine agent, glad, refreshing springs
of heavenly comfort and abiding consolation have been opened for
those who will come to the fountain of life. There are veins of truth yet
to be discovered; but spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Minds
beclouded with evil cannot appreciate the value of the truth as it is in
Jesus. When iniquity is cherished, men do not feel the necessity of
making diligent effort, with prayer and reflection, to understand what
they must know or lose heaven. They have so long been under the
shadow of the enemy, that they view the truth as men behold objects
through a smoked and imperfect glass; for all things are dark and per-
verted in their eyes. Their spiritual vision is feeble and untrustworthy;
for they look upon the shadow, and turn away from the light.
But those who profess to believe in Jesus, should ever press to
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the light. They should daily pray for the light of the Holy Spirit to
shine upon the pages of the sacred book, that they may be enabled to
comprehend the things of the Spirit of God. We must have implicit
trust in God’s word, or we are lost. The words of men, however great
they may be, are not able to make us perfect, to thoroughly furnish
unto all good works. “God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” In
this text the two agencies in the salvation of man are revealed,—the
divine influence, the strong, living faith of those who follow Christ. It
is through the sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the truth, that
we become laborers together with God. God waits for the co-operation
of His church. He does not design to add a new element of efficiency
to His word; He has done His great work in giving His inspiration
to the world. The blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the divine word,
are ours. The object of all this provision of heaven is before us,—the
souls for whom Christ died,—and it depends upon us to lay hold of
the promises God has given, and become laborers together with Him;
for divine and human agencies must co-operate in this work.