evil one is not by human works or self-effort but I on the basis of the believer's faith in his position ^ in Christ. It is the Christian’s being baptized into vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 1 12:13; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; Col. 1:12), Satan’s Vanquisher, that is the ground of all his positions 1 and possessions as well as his victories over the evil one. The victory that “ overcomes the world,” Satan’s evil world system (I John 5:4) as well aj as the “ prince of the world,” is “ our faith.” It is our believing that we are what we are “ in Christ” 1 that alone routs the devil. Moreover, the reason 1 for this is not difficult to see, for all o f our re sources against the enemy spring not from our selves or our unregenerate position “ in Adam” (Rom. 5:12-21), but from our regenerate position 9 “ in Christ” (Rom. 6:3-4). Victory is possible be- cause we are united to the Victor. Victory is ap- 9 propriable as we realize and reckon upon our I position. But what is our position in Christ, which is I the basis of our victory over sin and Satan? In I briefest statement it is that of “ death” (Rom. I 6:12). “ How can we who died to sin live in it?” I (R.S.V.). The believer died to sin and, since life and death are two mutually exclusive principles, it ■ is impossible that he should live any longer in it. T In more detailed statement (Rom. 6:3-10) the ■ Apostle explains his summary statement that the believer’s position is that of “ death” by showing that the Christian has been baptized by the Holy Spirit into vital union with Jesus Christ, (Rom. 6:3-5), hence into His death (v. 3 ), His burial, (v. 4) and His resurrection (v. 5). Accordingly he has been judicially set free from sin (Rom. 6:8- * 10). All this is the believer’s position “ in Christ” ■ and is to be converted into experimental victory over Satan and sin by faith. “Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11, R.V.). The be liever is “ dead unto sin” and “ alive unto God” (Rom. 6 :2-10) whether he reckons (counts it true) or not. The difference is that when he does be- lieve it is true, the indwelling Holy Spirit is set free to make it experimentally real. Then, and only then, is he conqueror in the conflict with Sa tan and sin, and then solely because Christ con quered Satan and the powers of evil at the Cross (Col. 1:14-15), and the believer united with Christ shares the victory. “Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (II Cor. 2:14). BE r To be Continued
(I Peter 2:24) is the only antidote against the poison of sin, the only cure for the deadly disease, which, unless healed, must result in eternal death in the lake of fire with Satan and his demons (Rev. 20:10, 15). By the law of correspondence between what is seen in the natural world, and what exists in the spiritual world (Rom. 1:20), the cure and pre vention of spiritual disease may be vividly illus trated by the cure and prevention o f natural sick ness. As medical science, by the use o f pathologi cal antiseptics, can cure and provide comparative immunity from malignant bacteria, so by the use of spiritual antiseptics, religious science can pro vide deliverance and immunity from Satan and demons. The all-sufficient remedy for the venom of sin is “the blood of Jesus” which “ cleanses us” (I John 1:7) . Without the shedding of blood, there could be no remission of sin, no recovery from spiritual malady (Heb. 9:22). Moreover, as there are agencies provided in nature, which, under cer tain conditions, affect the renewing or regenera tion of the human body when suffering from physi cal sickness, so there is an agency in the spiritual realm, the Holy Spirit of God, who, under the simple condition of faith in Christ, can give the human soul a new birth and eternal life. “ That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is bom of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, Ye must be bom anew” (John 3:7). “ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Demonism and the Prevention of Spiritual Disease Cure for spiritual disease is offered to the un saved. Prevention of spiritual disease is provided for the saved. Cure from sin, providing deliver ance from its penalty and assuring the believer’s safety and security for eternity, is important and indispensable, but it is not enough. Prevention of further sin, providing emancipation from its pow er, and guaranteeing the believer’s victory and usefulness in time, is also necessary. Both are fully provided for in the finished work o f Christ; so, athough the cure of sin (regeneration) exposes the newborn believer to the special buffetings, temptations, and assaults of Satan and demons, yet the prevention of further sin enables him to triumph over all the power of these enemies, and to live a life of holiness, happiness, and usefulness. However, victory over all the power o f the
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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