Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/220

 2X4 The Plan of the Age*.

are partially overcome by the allurements of the world, the desires of the flesh, or the arts of the devil. They partially lose sight of the prize set before us, and try to walk upon a middle road to keep the favor of God and the favor of the world, forgetting that " the friendship of the world is enmity with God" (James 4: 4), and that the instructions to those running the race for the prize are, Love not the world, and, Seek not honor one of another, but that honor which cometh from God only. i John 2: 15 j John 5:44.

These, who love the present world, but who have not wholly forsaken the Lord and despised their covenant, receive a scourging and purifying by the fire of affiidlion. As the Apostle expresses it, they are delivered over to Satan for the destru&ion of the flesh, that the spirit (the newly begotten nature) may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (i Cor. 5 : 5.) And if rightly exercised by the discipline, they will finally be received into the spiritual condition. They will have everlasting, spiritual life as angels have it, but will lose the prize of immortality. They will serve God in his temple, and stand before the throne, having palms in their hands (Rev. 7 : 9-17); but though that will be glori- ous, it will not be so glorious as the position of the "little flock" of overcomers, who will be kings and priests unto God, seated with Jesus in the throne as his bride and joint- heir, and with him crowned with immortality.

Ours is a rugged, steep, narrow way, and were it not that strength is furnished for each successive step of the jour- ney, we could never reach the goal. But our Captain's word is encouraging: Be of good cheer; I have overcome; my grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made per- fect in weakness. (John 16 : 33 ; 2 Cor. 12 : 9.) The diffi- culties of this way are to adl as a separating principle to san&ify and refine a " peculiar people " to be "heirs of God

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