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Humble Hero
The only condition on which our freedom is possible is that we
must become one with Christ. Sin can triumph only by destroying
the liberty of the soul. Submitting ourselves to God is what restores
to us our very self—restored to our true glory and dignity. The divine
law, to which we are brought into subjection, is “the law of liberty.”
James 2:12
.
The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham.
The true children would not try to kill One who was speaking the
truth that God gave Him. A mere ancestry that goes back to Abraham
was of no value. Without possessing the same spirit and doing the
same works, they were not his children.
The Question of Apostolic Succession
As descent from Abraham was proved not by name and geneal-
ogy but by likeness of character, so apostolic succession rests not
on the transmission of church governing authority but on spiritual
relationship. A life actuated by the apostles’ spirit, that believes and
teaches the truth they taught—this is the true evidence of having
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received the apostles’ authority.
Jesus said, “You do the deeds of your father” In mockery the Jews
answered, “
We
were not born of fornication; we have one Father—
God.” These words, in implying evil about the circumstances of His
birth, were intended to discredit Christ in the presence of those who
were beginning to believe on Him. Jesus paid no attention to this
low insinuation, but said, “If God were your Father, you would love
Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God.”
“You are of your father the devil,” said Jesus. “The desires of
your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning,
and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
... If I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” The fact that
Jesus spoke the truth with certainty was why the Jewish leaders did
not receive Him. The truth offended these self-righteous men. The
truth exposed why error was wrong, it condemned their teaching and
practice, and it was unwelcome. They did not love truth.