The Signs of the Times, vol. 27

May 22, 1901

“The Two Sides in the Great Controversy. Self-Sacrifice or Self-Defense” The Signs of the Times 27, 21, p. 2.

“SELF-PRESERVATION is the first law of nature.” SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.1

But self-sacrifice is the first law of grace. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.2

In order to self-preservation, self-defense is essential. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.3

In order to self-sacrifice, self-surrender is essential. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.4

In self-defense, the only thing that can be employed is force. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.5

In self-surrender, the only thing that can be employed is love. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.6

In self-preservation, by self-defense, thru the employment of force, force meets force, and this means only war. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.7

In self-sacrifice, by self-surrender, thru love, force is met by love, and this means only peace. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.8

Self-preservation, then, means only war; while self-sacrifice means only peace. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.9

But war means only death. Self-preservation, then, meaning only war, means only death; while self-sacrifice, meaning only peace, means only life. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.10

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. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.11

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. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.12

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. SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.13

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.” SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.14

On which side do you stand in this great controversy? SITI May 22, 1901, page 2.15

A. T. JONES.