The Bible Echo, vol. 12
June 14, 1897
“The Two Sides in the Great Controversy” The Bible Echo 12, 24, p. 188.
SELF-SACRIFICE OR SELF-DEFENCE
“SELF-PRESERVATION is the first law of nature.” BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.1
But self-sacrifice is the first law of grace. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.2
In order to self-preservation, self-defense is essential. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.3
In order to self-sacrifice, self-surrender is essential. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.4
In self-defense, the only thing that can be employed is force. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.5
In self-surrender, the only thing that can be employed is love. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.6
In self-preservation, by self-defense, thru the employment of force, force meets force, and this means only war. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.7
In self-sacrifice, by self-surrender, thru love, force is met by love, and this means only peace. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.8
Self-preservation, then, means only war; while self-sacrifice means only peace. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.9
But war means only death. Self-preservation, then, meaning only war, means only death; while self-sacrifice, meaning only peace, means only life. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.10
Self-preservation being the first law of nature, nature then means only death; while self-sacrifice being the first law of grace, grace means only life. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.11
But death only is the wages of sin; nature, then, meaning only death, it is so only because nature means sin; while life, being only the reward of righteousness; grace, meaning only life, it is so only because grace means righteousness. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.12
Sin and righteousness, nature and grace, are directly opposite and antagonistic elements. They occupy realms absolutely distinct. Nature, self-preservation, self-defense, force, war, and death, occupy only the realm of sin; grace, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, love, peace, and life occupy only the realm of righteousness. BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.13
The realm of sin is the realm of Satan. The realm of grace is the realm of God. All the power of the domain of grace is devoted to saving men from the dominion of sin. This in order that, “as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign, through righteousness, unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.14
On which side do you stand in this great controversy? BEST June 14, 1897, page 188.15
A. T. JONES.