Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/218

 212 Th* Plan of the Ages.

ning of this chapter include on the broad road to destrac tion all who are not on the way to the only prize now offered. All others are still on the broad roadthese only have as yet escaped the condemnation that is on the world. This, the only way of life now open, because of its diffi- culty, finds few who care to walk in it. The masses of man- kind in their weakness prefer the broad, easy way of self- gratification.

The narrow way, while it ends in life, in immortality, might be called a way of death, since its prize is gained through the sacrifice of the human nature even unto death. It is the narrow way of death to life. Being reckoned free from the Adamic guilt and the death penalty, the consecrated voluntarily surrender or sacrifice those human rights, reck- oned theirs, which in due time they, with the world in general, would have actually received. As " the man Christ Jesus " laid down or sacrificed his life for the world, so these become joint-sacrificers with him. Not that his sacri- fice was insufficient and that others were needed; but while his is all-sufficient, these are permitted to serve and to suf- fer with him in order to become his bride and joint-heir. So, then, while the world is under condemnation to death, and is dying with Adam, this "little flock," through the process of faith reckonings and sacrifice, already described, are said to die with Christ. They sacrifice and die with him as human beings, in order to become partakers of the divine nature and glories with him; for we believe that if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him. If we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified together. Rom. 8 : 17 and a Tim. 2 : n, 12.

In the beginning of the Millennial age, those who now walk the narrow way will have gained the great prize for which they ran, immortality; and being thus clothed with the divine nature and power, they will be prepared for

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