the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Bowen's Daily Meditations
" He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son, hath not life." - 1 John 5:12.
Hast thou considered well, O John the son of Zebedee, the beloved disciple, what is implied in these words of thine? These words fly in the face of all human philosophies, and give a picture of the world such as all the world is sure to abhor. They will laugh thee to scorn, with thy description of mankind as being without life save as they find it in Christ. For thy words, if they mean anything, declare that all the world have become obnoxious to the everlasting wrath of God, and are going down to perdition, no man having any goodness upon which he can rely for salvation; and that the favor of God, even life everlasting, is only to be obtained by renunciation of one’s own wisdom and virtue and strength, or rather of the vain dream of these, and by a simple, whole-souled faith in Christ who died for sinners. These words of thine contain the very essence of the gospel, and exhibit it in stern, positive, uncompromising language, such as men can by no means brook. The gospel thus uttered irritates men beyond endurance; and makes them bring fagots and prepare the stake. At all events they will think thee a poor, bigoted, self-blinded creature, with thy horrid Calvinistic representation of mankind.
I know what I say - might John reply, - and what effect it is calculated to produce upon men. And yet I know that I speak with love and with wisdom; love and wisdom given from on high. A great many beautiful gifts of God still linger around fallen humanity, and testify of that height from which it has fallen; these gifts men look upon as a pledge of salvation; a fatal error and a strange one; for they only enhance the condemnation of those who, possessing them, nevertheless abide not in the love and communion of God, but obey their own vitiated will. I would fain have all men know of the grace of God; therefore I tell them of their utter gracelessness and absolute need of Christ. This despised word of mine shall live. From this time onward through all generations, it shall be without interruption precious to companies of believing men. Philosophies, religions, empires shall pass away, but this word shall not pass away. He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son hath not life.
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