The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-13
READING FOR THE DAY.


JESUS AND ABRAHAM.--John viii, 31-38, IA SO.
Golden Text-Your father Abraham reioiced to see
my day; and he saw it, and was glad.-John viii So
After the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus remained
in the region of Jerusalem for at least two
months He seems to have used this oppor-
tunity in teaching the people and showing how
he himself fulfilled the visions of the prophets,
and was the long-looked-for Messiah. In this
lesson we have the startling claim that he ex
listed before their father Abraham, and that by
prophetic power Abraham was able to look down
the ages to their own time, and to see Jesus,
the Messiah, and that it filed his heart
with joy. The claims that Christ then made
are all-important to US as settling the
question of his supreme divinity. We see far
better than the Jews that the sinless life and
character of Jesus forbid the idea that he
an impostor. Not only did they fail to convict
him of SIM" but the testimony and investigation
of the ages have failed to do it, and he stands
forth the only sinless man OF history. They saw
his miracles, and were forced to recognize his
supernatural power. but attempted to break the
convictions of the people by saying that this
power was from Satan. and not from God. But
his pure life and truthful teachings forbid that
thought. Uhlman has given the church mag
nifcent argument for the divinity of Jesus Christ
based entirely upon his sinless character. Ad-
nit that he was without SIM and the logic is
irresistible.
PRACTICAL LESSONS
Continuing or abiding in Christ's words is to
make our home in them Some ''abide" in
Christs words AS men go to the hospitals. only
when they are sick or in trouble. Others abide'
as some business men do in their homes, only at
night when they want protecting care, or at their
meals when they want providential support.
But with the true disciple Christ's word is true
home, and there he abides in every experience.
To him 1t is the dearest place on earth.
We Have Never Been in Bondage.-At the
first, sin binds men with soft silken fberS; they
are small and easily broken, but before they
know it the silken thread has become strong
cord But men do not know their power until
they make effort to break them, and then
they insist that they are not chains at all, be-
cause they consent TO these habits.
The Son Abideth Ever-Whatever be the theo-
ries of men as to the final fate of the wicked,
there is very general agreement that he who
becomes the child of God by adoption has all the
blessedness in store after death that can come to
man: He abideth forever in the Heavenly Faith
er's home.
He Shall Never See Death-Christ has SO en-
tirely changed the character of death thatlt need
have no terror to the Christian. We should
think, and talk, and sing of death as our friend,
as Gods messenger. IS the coming of the Son of
God to take US to His own blessed home
SPECIAL TEACHING.
For Belief-Chrst's service is truest liberty
and in Lao sense bondage. It is true that many
professors of religion find their Christian duties
and obligations burdensome. They talk much
of their crosses But they have not entered into
the true experience of one who fully gives his
heart to God, and has met with that great
change of heart that makes all service to Christ
pleas ure. Even human love finds in the serv-
ice of those we love pleasure in all kinds of
duty. Love gloriies it all. Much more is this
true when we can Go all that we do in the name
of the Lord Jesus.
Forl Practce-It is a great duty that we
owe to ourselves to seek constantly for this
spiritual freedom and to illustrate to others that
fullest conservation and largest joy are united.
We have too many complaining Christians, too
many fault-fnding disciples, whose spirit and
tone discourage others. The soul that exults in
spiritual freedom wins others. He whom Christ
has made free indeed is the man who can teach
those who are in bondage.