Most of these “studies” have been published, or are yet to be
published, as editorials or articles in _The Sunday School Times_.
There has been added an introductory article written particularly
for those who may have little acquaintance with the meaning of the
Victorious Life.
Each chapter has been prepared as an article complete in itself, but
there are three pairs of articles which form closely connected studies.
The chapters entitled, “Out of Bondage Into Liberty,” and “God’s New
Spelling for ‘Obey’” form one study on the relation of law and grace
in the life of the Christian. The two chapters on temptation form one
study. The chapter on “How Jesus Lived the Victorious Life” and the one
which follows on “Serving with the Mind of Christ” form a connected
study on the practical meaning for us of our Lord’s humanity.
Whenever use has been made of the writings or messages of others I
have endeavored to give full credit, but there should be added here
a personal word of special acknowledgment. My own entrance into a
new experience in Christ seven years ago came through the message of
Charles G. Trumbull, who himself just a year before had found Christ
in the new way that transformed his own life and with it the message
of _The Sunday School Times_. Following my new experience and this
new friendship there was the rare privilege of five years’ fellowship
with Mr. Trumbull as Associate Editor of _The Sunday School Times_, a
work that was surrendered at the call of the Lord to go into foreign
missionary service. This being the foundation of these studies on
the Victorious Life, it may well be that in addition to the sentences
in quotation marks used with or without Mr. Trumbull’s name, there
are statements and ways of putting things that have come directly or
indirectly from this association. This applies particularly to the
first article; the others embody more definitely suggested applications
that have not been touched upon in other articles or editorials in _The
Sunday School Times_. Those familiar with “The Life That Wins,” the
leaflet that tells Mr. Trumbull’s personal experience, will recall the
threefold division of the needs in the Christian life,――“fellowship,
freedom from sin, fruit bearing,”――which is the division used in the
first chapter of these studies.
Many have been eagerly awaiting Mr. Trumbull’s own book on the
Victorious Life, which will deal with the subject in a comprehensive
and connected way. It is hoped that this booklet may prove a helpful
supplement to the later work.
Special acknowledgment should be made also to another beloved teacher,
Professor Melvin Grove Kyle, for his illuminating suggestions on
temptation. While this study of temptation and the outline were begun
before taking theological work under Dr. Kyle, its development has
been strongly influenced by the rich suggestions that are quoted from
Professor Kyle.
The little book goes out with the prayer that whatever errors of
statement or of judgment may be discovered, these errors may not bulk
so large in the mind of the reader as to shut him out from the glorious
blessing of victory in Christ, or if he has learned that secret to keep
him from further riches of Grace the Word may have for him. As you read
through these chapters will you pray through them also? If you receive
a blessing, will you pray that God may use it with other readers, and
that He alone may be glorified who is our Victory.
_July 20, 1918._