The Present Truth, vol. 13

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April 29, 1897

“The Two Sides in the Great Controversy” The Present Truth 13, 17, p. 260.

ATJ

SELF-SACRIFICE OR SELF-DEFENCE

“SELF-PRESERVATION is the first law of nature.” PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.1

But self-sacrifice is the first law of grace. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.2

In order to self-preservation, self-defence is essential. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.3

In order to self-sacrifice, self-surrender is essential. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.4

In self-defense, the only thing that can be employed is force. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.5

In self-surrender, the only thing that can be employed is love. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.6

In self-preservation, by self-defence, through the employment of force, force meets force, and this means only war. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.7

In self-sacrifice, by self-surrender, thru love, force is met by love, and this means only peace. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.8

Self-preservation, then, means only war; while self-sacrifice means only peace. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.9

But war means only death. Self-preservation, then, meaning only war, means only death; while self-sacrifice, meaning only peace, means only life. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.10

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. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.11

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. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.12

Sin and righteousness, nature and grace, are directly opposite and antagonistic elements. They occupy realms absolutely distinct. Nature, self-preservation, self-defence, 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. PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.13

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, thru righteousness, unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.14

On which side do you stand in this great controversy? PTUK April 29, 1897, page 260.15

A. T. JONES.