Evening journal., 1910-01-29

". 4s.
Since tho Lords followers have fallen
flesh IL Is not possible for them TO be
perfect as God is perfect-except in
heart. I'm intention. But this good heart
intention is not sufficient 20 prove us
worthy Of a share with Christ as his
"elect" to the glorics OF his Kingdom.
Our profession OF pure heart and Cod
likeness must be tested. II must be
demonstrated and developed to the
point Of hxity OF character. It must
stand tests Of temptation. II must en-
dure faithfulness under stress. Hence
those accepted as disciples OF Christ
are required to be faithful under very
trying circumstances.
The Jews had gradually lost sight
OF the Divine Law and had filled their
minds with certain traditions which
were more or less contrary 10 the Law.
Tradition quoted the Law, Thou
shalt not kill" and then added, who
soever shall kill will be In danger OF
the iudgment'-in danger OF trial and
punishment by the appointed judges.
| But Jesus taught a still more rigid
application, namely, that anger against
a Brother Qn the heart, unexpressed
NN
mind which would be reprehenslbe in
Gods sight, even though the murder
might never be actually committed.
More than this. he reprehended unkind
remarks. as. rakah, signifying block
head" and thou fool" as meaning
stilI worse. a moral degenerate. our
Lord declared that such expressions In
dicated wrong conditions OF heart.
D. af..1. faIr hrfr
dividual before the Sanhedrin, or, pos
sibly. eventually lead him on into Sec
ond Death, symbolized by Gehenna.
He'll fire in this study is literally
Gehenna fire. II refers TO FIRE kept
burning in the Valley OF Hlnnom
| (Gehenna) for the destruction OF offal
and the prevention Of contagion. Into
this fire the carcases OF malicious evil
doers might be thrown for destruction.
II thus symbolized the Second Death
Rev. 2O:14.
According to the Galilean Prophet IL
would be useless for anyone 10 ap-
proach Gods altar with a sacrihcial
gift while his heart contained any
enmity against another Hence any of
ChriFts disciples before Offering a
gift to the Lord should search their
hearts and purge them from enmity'
knowing that otherwise their sacri-
fees and praises would be vain
Tho advice OF verses %, 26 is sound.
If there is an obligation against us
we should settle and discharge Il as
/ quickly as possible. IL was an import
ant lesson for all Jews 10 learn that
their Law Covenant. which they sup
posed was their friend and assistant
was really their Adversary and con-
demned them all. Because OF imper-
| fection Of flesh. they were unable TO
keep the Law and could not have its
approval. and hence had its condem-
nation. The proper course for all who
recognize this was 20 seek as good a
settlement with the Law as possible
confessing their imperfection.
Those who needed our Lords advice
realized their imperfect condition and
cried for help and found forgiveness
in Jesus through his sacrifice. Thus
by faith. these were permitted to come
into Gods favor and blessing at Pen;
tecost.
The Mosaic Law laid down the Di.
vine principle which the Judges OF
Israel were TO follow. "an eye for az
eye" the exaction OF strict justice. Th'
people had applied this to their indi-
vidual relationships unwarrantedly
with the result that IL cultivated hard.
ness of heart. an exacting disposition
pitiiess, merciless. our Lords teching
showed the error Of this and pointe,
to the more excellent way--love. Al
though the Heavenly Father had mad
the Law, he had also prepared 10 shov
mercy and did show it i'm sending hi
Son into the world to be the Redeeme
OF sinners, that they might not perish
but have eternal life through obedience
to the Savior. How much more pro
per was It that sufferers, botl
imperfect, should be lenient, tender
hearted toward each other. Mark tn
Lords words, say unto you that b.
recurring an eye for an eye and tootl
for a tooth, in exactlng justice of you
imperfect fellows you are encourag
ing an improper spirit in your owl
hearts.
Q) II your enemy smite you on tn
cheek turn TO him the other one-no
literally. but in your heart, mentally
DO not retaliate in kind. That on
Lord did not mean this literally,
demonstrated by the fact that whe
on trial he was smitten but did no
ask 20 be smitten again. He turne
the other cheek, but not literally.
CD II any man sue us at the Lay
and legally get possession Of our prop
erty we are TO feel no grudge agains
u him, but are to render up willingl