The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1893-01-17
christian rNDEAvoR.
Topic for the Week Beginning Jan. ~
Comment nv Rev. s. III. DoyIo.

Topic for tile Week beginning Jan. ~.
Comment by Rev. 3. II. Doyle.
ToPsc.-God's covenant II thou wilt. :
then. zech. i'll. Z; John xv.7.8
Gods covenants are usually conditional
promises. In the covenant with Noah
that the world should not again be de.
stroyed by flood. which was uncondi-
tional, we see an exception TO this gen
eral rule. Gods principal covenants are
the covenant of works, salvation and
blessing promised on condition of perfect
obedience TO the law. and the covenant
of grace salvation promised upon condi-
ton of faith in Jesus Christ. In each OF
these covenants we see the underlying
principle, Ii thou wilt then. In
the former it was. If thou wilt obey, then
thou shalt be saved. In the latter it is,
If thou wilt believe, then thou shalt be
saved. In each of these principal cove
nants were innumerable secondary cove
nants, attendant promises with their
conditions. 1t is to two of these, and
not to either principal covenant. that our
topic directs us.
1. IF thou wilt walk in my ways, and
If thou wilt keep my charge, then thou
shalt also judge my house, and shalt also
keep my courts. and i will give the
places to walk among these stsllss;;;.tt stand
by thee" Czech. iii. y. Here an angel
gives Joshua conditional promise as
representative of the Jewish priesthood.
The condition was personal good be-
havior and official faithfulness. The
promise was continuance in Office, over
sight of the temple courts and compan-
ionship with angels, probably meaning
eternal life. This promise applied to
priests and now to ministers. But all
were not priests and all are not ministers.
TO make it universally applicable it may
be summed up practically thus: If thou
wilt be faithful i'll thy sphere, then shalt
thou be rewarded accordingly. This
makes it practical to all. The priest must
be faithful as priest, the people as people.
All Of us may not have high positions in
The church, but God expects of us only
obedience in the position we occupy, be
it high or low Some have ten talents,
some five and some perhaps only one.
OF those who have five talents, ten tai
ent service and ability is not required.
From one talent God neither asks nor
expects using for five talentss This is
Gods conditional promise to all. If thou
wilt be faithful in whatever station Of
life thou hast been placed, to whatever
talents and opportunities have been given
to thee, then thou shalt have honor and
blessing in this life, and in the world to
come eternal life.
2. "If We abide in me, and my words
abide in you. we shall ask what we will,
and it shall be done unto you" John XIV,
y. These are words of Jesus in his fare.
we'll discourse to his disciples. 1t is also
a conditional promise. The promise is
answer to prayer. The condition is
abiding in Christ. To abide in Christ
means to have constant living union
with him, as the branch is united to the
vine. His words abide in us when we
receive them in faith and love, by per-
sonal study or other instruction, lay
them up in our hearts and practice them
in our lives. This promise still holds
good. If Christ and his words abide
richly in us. prayer will be answered.
What promise could be richer and
grander to the children of need? Let
us fulfill the conditions that we may re-
ceive the promise.
Bible References-Gen iv, 81; Deut.
vii. 70; xviii, Is; Lev. XVI, 80; Ps.
xxi. 5; Prov. viii, Q; Dan. iii. II; Math.
v, % "a; John viii, 10; Col. i, 2l-23;
Heb. iii, 6: Pet. iv. l4-l9: John i, 0.