By Ruth Paxson
T he life of the spiritual Chris tian is in strong contrast to that of the carnal Christian. There is still conflict in the life of the spiritual Christian, for growth comes through conquest in conflict. But there is peace through conscious victory in Christ. The spiritual Christian does not continue in the practice of known, wilful sin, so he lives in the uncloud ed sunshine of Christ’s presence. His communion with the Father is un marred by the gnawing consciousness of soiled hands, by the pricking of a wounded conscience or by the con demnation of an accusing heart. So he enjoys abiding peace, deepening joy and satisfying rest in the Lord. Do you have it in your life? What is the real, inward meaning of “ victory” ? Well, it does not mean mere outward control over the expres sion of sin, but a definite dealing with the inner disposition to sin. Real vic tory makes a change in the innermost recesses of the spirit that transforms the inner disposition and attitude as well as our outward deed and act. Real victory never obliges you to con ceal what is inside. Many of us do not call sin sin. Of course, we are obliged to call some glaring offense against God or man, that becomes more or less public, sin. But what about that black, defiling thing hid den away in the innermost spirit. Is that sin? God says it is. (2 Cor. 7:1.) Let us face a few simple tests and see if we have been “ cleansed from all filthiness of the spirit.” You used to lose your temper and give way to violent outburst; now there is a large measure of outward control, but a great residue of inward irritation and secret resentment. Is that real vic tory? Someone says something unkind or unjust to you; you do not answer back and outwardly you appear po lite, but inwardly you are angry, and say to yourself, “ I’d like to give her a piece of my mind!” Is that freedom from sin? Silence for a Scolding Aunt A 16-year-old girl came to a
dicted to scolding. The girl often tried her aunt’s patience by being late home from school. When scolded for it, she always answered back. She went from the meeting determined to be victorious, both in returning from school on time and in answering back, and told her aunt so. The skep tical aunt replied that she would be lieve in the victory when she saw it. A few days later, she was late home again. The aunt tauntingly said, “ Ah! this is your victory, is it?” But not a word escaped the girl’s lips. You say “What wonderful victory.” But listen! A few days later, I received an exultant letter from the girl say ing, “ Oh! Miss Paxson, now I know the meaning of real victory, for when my aunt scolded me I not only didn’t answer back but I didn’t want to.” This is victory indeed. Someone has wronged you; you do not openly retaliate or seek revenge, but in your innermost heart you wish the person misfortune and rejoice when it comes. Is that having a right spirit? At a summer conference in China a woman came seeking help. She was unhappy and others around her were made unhappy. There was unlove in her heart; in fact, there was someone she hated. She was a Christian work er and recognizing the havoc this feeling was working in her own life and in that of others, she tried to gain gradual victory over it. She had hated even the sight of the other person, but she acknowledged finally the sinfulness of that. So she invited the person to dinner in her home, but hoped she wouldn’t com e! Was that victory? When she came to me she had reached the point where she was “ ready to forgive” but “ would never forget!” Was that victory? Then she compelled herself to say that she “ wouldn’t hate,” but she “ couldn’t love.” Was that victory? Not until God, who is love, really possessed her heart did she have God’s kind of victory. Perhaps someone here is saying, “ I have experienced occasionally this glorious freedom from some besetting sin, but it has been only a transient liberty. Is there really such a thing here on earth as habitual victory over all known sin?” God says there is. On Calvary’s cross Christ died to s t us free from sin. To make that
The How of Holiness
meeting once, where we were speaking of complete victory in Christ. She lived with a cantankerous aunt who was quite ad
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