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“The Light of Life”
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soul are imbued with the energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey
the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God.
The only condition on which the freedom of man is possible is
that of becoming one with Christ. Sin can triumph only by destroying
the liberty of the soul. Subjection to God is restoration to one’s self—
to the true glory and dignity of man. The divine law, to which we
are brought into subjection, is “the law of liberty.”
James 2:12
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The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham.
The true children would not try to kill One who was speaking the
truth given Him from God. A mere lineal descent from 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 lineage,
but by likeness of character, so apostolic succession rests not on the
transmission of ecclesiastical authority, but on spiritual relationship.
A life actuated by the apostles’ spirit, the belief and teaching of the
truth they taught—this is the true evidence of apostolic succession.
Jesus said, “Ye do the deeds of your father.” In mockery the Jews
answered, “We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even
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God.” These words, in allusion to the circumstances of His birth,
were intended as a thrust against Christ in the presence of those who
were beginning to believe on Him. Jesus gave no heed to the base
insinuation, but said, “If God were your Father, ye would love Me:
for I proceeded forth and came from God.”
“You are of your father the devil,” said Jesus. “Your will is to do
your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him... .
If I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?” RSV. The fact that
Jesus spoke the truth with certainty was why He was not received
by the Jewish leaders. The truth offended these self-righteous men.
The truth exposed the fallacy of error; it condemned their teaching
and practice; and it was unwelcome. They did not love truth.