356 The Fundamentals. servants of God. So has He destroyed the works of the devil. HISTORIC MEANING OF THE INCARNATION. Do not forget the meaning of the Incarnation historically. It was the invasion of human history by One Who snatched the scepter from the usurper. It was the intrusion of forces into human history which dissolved the consistency of the works of the devil and caused them to break and fail. “How long, O Lord, how long ?” is the cry of the heart of the saint today. Yet let us take heart as we look back and know that the victorious force has operated for nineteen centuries, and always toward consummation. Still, the works of the devil are manifest; the works of the flesh are manifest. Yes, but the fruit of the Spirit of life which has come through the ad vent of Christ is also manifest. All over the world today on many a branch of the vine of the Father’s planting, the rich clusters of fruit are to be found. All, so far, is but prelim inary. It is twilight only. High noon has not arrived; but it is twilight, and the noon must come. Further, the Incarnation was the coming of the Stronger than the strong man armed to destroy the works of the devil in my own life. Are the works of the devil—death, darkness, hatred, and rebellion—the master forces of your being? Then I bring you the Evangel. I tell you of One manifested to de stroy all such works. I tell you not merely as a theory, but as having the testimony of history attesting the truth of the announcement of this text. The forces of this Christ have operated, and are operat ing; and the things that were formerly established are loos ened, and are falling to decay. He was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. If you are in the grip of forces of evil; if you realize that in your life His works are the things of strength, then I pray you, turn with full purpose of heart to the One manifested long ago, Who in all the power of His
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker