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Danger in Speculative Knowledge
307
and majesty. And it surely tends not only to mislead, but to debase
men. Darkness is its element, sensuality its sphere. The result of
accepting it is separation from God. And to fallen human nature this
means ruin.
Our condition through sin is unnatural, and the power that re-
stores us must be supernatural, else it has no value. There is but one
power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and
that is the power of God in Jesus Christ. Only through the blood of
the Crucified One is there cleansing from sin. His grace alone can
enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature.
The spiritualistic theories concerning God make His grace of no
effect. If God is an essence pervading all nature, then He dwells in
all men; and in order to attain holiness, man has only to develop the
power within him.
These theories, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away
the whole Christian economy. They do away with the necessity
for the atonement and make man his own savior. These theories
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regarding God make His word of no effect, and those who accept
them are in great danger of being led finally to look upon the whole
Bible as a fiction. They may regard virtue as better than vice; but,
having shut out God from His rightful position of sovereignty, they
place their dependence upon human power, which, without God, is
worthless. The unaided human will has no real power to resist and
overcome evil. The defenses of the soul are broken down. Man has
no barrier against sin. When once the restraints of God’s word and
His Spirit are rejected, we know not to what depths one may sink.
“Every word of God is pure:
He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.
Add thou not unto His words,
Lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
“His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself,
And he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.”
Proverbs 30:5, 6; 5:22.