PROPORTIONAL MAN; HIS SELFHOOD.

This idea is derived from an experience that came to the author in his early life, though not then comprehended. It is supported by observations and recollections during seventy years, while controlled by the "Unreliable."

Spiritual Man, does not plan, scheme or plot, but his thoughts are in accord with Spirit, God, whose likeness he is.

EXPLANATION.

1st Line-Fleshly man; man that is born of woman; of few days; flesh and blood; the temporary home of both the human mind and the Spiritual Man; the house which neither sees, hears nor understands; the "flesh which profiteth nothing;" like a cancelled envelope; rubbish after having served its purpose. (Ps. 103: 14, 15, 16.)

2nd Line-Reasoning man; the schemer; the unlikeness of God; the Adam-man-married to a part of his own humanity (his "rib"); the carnal mind, not subject to the law of Good; the blind assuming to lead the blind; the Sinner; the Cain; selfish; crooked; impure; presumptuous; changeable; a temporary usurper; sometimes right, but more frequently wrong; placing "knowledge" before wisdom; boastful; proud (See 1st Tim. 6:4 and 5);* willing to confer with Satan; seeing his wants but not knowing his needs; "darkness rather than light"; a dealer in troubles; a money changer; developing and decaying, as the man of dust, for he is born of the flesh and would defile the temple of the living God. This is the "unreliable" self.

The 1st and 2nd lines relate to humanity-that is, the human body and the physical senses.

3rd Line-The Real MAN, having Life eternal; the image and likeness of God; the "inner man"; "Spirit"; the perfect and immortal; the apparent "sleeper” that must be awakened; the new man; the True Man; the Christ-like element which must have dominion over

*He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. Perverse disputes of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. (1 Tim. 6:4-5.)

all, from the "fish of the sea" to "every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth!" (Gen. 1:26.) "Thy righteousness and Thy judgment" (Ps. 37:6), which must be developed; the reflection of Life; Spirit; Truth. This is the "reliable" self.

As man advances in the "Truth that shall make him free," the 3rd line will be the enduring, and finally will illustrate the Bible declaration, "the last shall be first." To the Real Man belongs Spiritual sight and hearing.

"The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from Heaven." (1st Cor. 15:47.)

The true lesson of this concept is the superiority of the Spiritual over the material; of Wisdom over knowledge; of Truth over theory. Spiritual wisdom, comes through inspiration and revelation, a divine source, always unerringly true; from Spirit, which is God. So has it been from the beginning even till now!

It should be man's sincere desire and prayer, that his reasoning element should give place to that which is Spiritual. "The Kingdom of God is at hand", said John. "Where? Where?" says the reasoner. "I see it not!" But the Master says, "The Kingdom of God is within you!"

Look for it there! Your Spiritual eye, may behold it, and your Spiritual ear, may hear its voice.

THE PROUD-"UNRELIABLE."

The Deviator. "His Days Are as Grass."

Human knowledge, comes from a human source called thought, against which Jesus warns mankind in the Sermon on the Mount, (Matt. 5:37; 6:27-34). This thought is the fruit of the tree of knowledge, and

though it clothes itself with what it is pleased to call learning, with its numberless offsprings and subdivisions, yet is it unsubstantial, because it is liable to change, and therefore uncertain and not to be depended upon. Many things which it considered in the past as truths, it now regards as fallacies. Even the mind of the greatest human philosopher is often mistaken, and when it quietly looks at itself in the mirror of truth, it beholds its own deformity. The thinking man (human) "is of the earth, earthy." He is the counterfeit of truth; human will, would bandage the eyes of truth. His aim is not freedom, but slavery to the senses. He claims to be king of the earth.

It is plain that the human body is but "our frame”. (Ps. 103:14.) All will admit that there is no consciousness in flesh or bone, apart from what we call mind.

Can we not distinguish between the fleshly or human mind that is within us-and the Spiritual mind which men often speak of as the Soul? We can comprehend to an extent, something of the workings and methods of this human mind; but of Soul, how little we understand! And yet who would be willing to be without this higher element?

Paul testifies to the absolute separateness and difference between these two varying elements that war for control.

"The wisdom of this world, is foolishness with God: for it is written, he taketh the wise in their own craftiness:"*"The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise that they are vain." "Your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

*This is from Job, 5:13, but quoted by Paul in 1st Cor. 3:19. This shows that Paul studied Job.

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Throughout the writings of the prophets and apostles and throughout the wonderful revelations that are given to us through the testimony of inspired Paul, the predominating idea of that which is Spiritual, over that which is physical or mental, is more and more unfolded to those who really study the sacred pages of the Bible.

"It is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. . . . . . Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (1st Cor. 1:19-20.)

And above all are the distinct declarations of Jesus the Christ whose words were "Spirit and Life!"

Let him who criticizes the diagram on a page preceding, try to make one, that shall be more correct. It may be possible; though the writer hereof is unable to accomplish it. Please remember, it is sketched out only for comparative illustration, to plain readers and lovers of the Bible. Absolute correctness, is not claimed.