The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-01-19
Christ in -
Office of King
D. Rsv. RsSsst MeHssh Morris
Psssss q Firss Presbyserias Chursh
Evasstsa. III

pueO untO you uu entrance INTO tUe ctef-
nal kingdom Of our Lord and savios
Jesus Christ.-U Peter I, IL
The risen Savior executes three Of
fees. He is our prophet revealing to
US by his word and spirit the will OF
God for our salvation. He Is our
priest. Offering up Of himself q sacri.
fee to satisfy divine Justice and
reconcile us to God, and In making
continual intercession for US. He is
our king. In his kingly once he sub
dues US to himself; he rules and de-
tends us: he restraints and conquers
all his and our enemies.
That we may search ourselves and
see FIRST II we are citizens Of his king.
dom. and second, how loyal we are to
that kingdom, let us note what are the
conditions Of citizenship. We shall
find these conditions by references
which originate In tho king as he
stands in his relation to US. and in this
manner be able to show what Is our
religion toward him.
Tho first phrase which we are
taught as setting forth the manner
kingship toward us Is that he subdues
us to himself. We talk much Of Christ
subduing the world. We pray. some
times half-heartedly and sometimes
with great meaning, that his kingdom
may come, that his WIN may be done
In earth as II Is in heaven. We con-
ture before our minds eye the law
breakers, the fragrant sinners OF the
world. We draw melodramatic pic
lures OF the thief the drunkard. the
roue, the murderer being subdued to
the will Of Christ.
There IL something about the mid.
night mission which appeals to our
upon the rescuing Of the perishing;
We love to sing about throwing out
the lifeline; we love to talk about the
gospel being preached In all foreign
lands. We swell with pride when we
hear how Korea Is coming to Christ.
how China and Japan are being On
lightened by his light We are ready
to shout and say. that Is good. fine.
let II 60 on. The time will soon come
when the earth 10 as full OF the knowl-
edge of the Lord a. waters cover the
seas"
Now friends, that's all objective and
external. It's all good: but the first
thing anyone should SEQ to when he
prays that Gods will be done In
earth as It is done in heaven Ia that
he himself be subdued to Christ
There are church members who will
work for others and give money to
missions land both these things they
should dol but who unfortunately stop
Just at that point and do not permit
themselves to be subdued.
The first question for you and me
to say Ia. HAS Christ subdued us I'M
to himself" Do you know there was
and is . profound psychological and
spiritual reason or meaning behind
the "mournsrs' bench" Of our Metho-
dist brethren. We like the phrase.
"mourners' bench" There may be
better ones. Perhaps the idea would
be better expressed II we said. "the
self abnegating bench" the place
where men are willing to say. Il sur
render myself" Not Il surrender i've
hours . week to the work OF the
church," not Il surrender one hun
drod dollars q year to carry on his
work." not II surrender q nominal al
legiance to the kingdom, and am glad
that the kingdom 10 spreading" not
that surrender my name to the roll
of some church and condescend to let
my greatness reflect credit and glory
upon the church of Christ. But that
surrender myself. that l surrender
my will which is the same as saying
THAT I am subdued.
Brethren, the FIRST condition OF en-
trance into this kingdom is not regis
tsring our names on the church rolls.
or on the charity lists. or on the work
ers tablets, good though these things
may be; but the first element Ii being
subdued to the king.
Tho second thing 10 that when we
are subdued he rules and defends VI.
Now the rulership Of Christ IL not q
hard rule. He Is not despicabls and
unfeellng tyrant. my yoke" he said.
lis easy and my burden ia light" Il
Is necessary for US to bear the burden.
the yoke must needs be worn. But
the burden cannot crush US and the
yoke does not gall when We are sub
iued to his will
II we are subdued his ruling will
seems mild and gentle. II will not be
arbitrary; 1t will not be merely that
he might crush US beyond all hope Of
insurrection. He does not restrain
from traitorous acts SO much by
threats of dire punishment as by show
ing US the pain 1t will cause his heart
We all want the defense Of the gov
eminent We walk these streets at
night with feeling Of greater or less
security, because We ssel that the gov.
eminent OF the city. through its po
lice, Is defending US.
SO It is in this kingdom OF Christ
II Is only whilo We are under tho rul
ership OF the king that he can defend
Us.
Now the third and last thing inyolv
ed In this execution Of the Office OF
| IN. a