Galatians 1:15-16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,… The Christian religion is emphatically one. It may differ and does differ, in its development; but the foundation must be belief in Deity — an intelligent, devout recognition of the Almighty in His varied relationships to the world. Hence a perfect belief in a perfect Deity means this: That you believe in and regard that Deity as the Creator and Controller of the universe; as the Saviour of the world; as the appliancer of the redemptive scheme — in other words, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Unless this is recognized, there can be no true Christianity. I. CHRISTIAN LIFE IS IDENTIFIED WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. 1. To know Christ is to know the great centre to which all other doctrines converge. 2. Knowing Christ as a Saviour, you realize the damnable nature of sin. II. CHRIST IS KNOWN ONLY AS HE IS DIVINELY REVEALED. 1. Ordinary means. Bible reading. Church going. Conversation. Sunday Schools, etc. 2. Extraordinary. St. Paul's conversion. III. THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST IS GIVEN IN PURSUANCE OF A DIVINE PURPOSE. IV. KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST IS PREPARATORY FOR THE HIGHEST USEFULNESS. (A. F. Barfield.) Parallel Verses KJV: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, |
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