The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-04-20
The Conditions
of Discipleship
By REV. n. n. TInm0NS
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mental truth II IL OF utmost im.
portance that men have a correct con
ception Of Jesus Christ himself. Hence
the question he asked the twelve In
tho beginning OF this chapter. Whom
do men say that the son OF man.
ann" what the world thinks Of him
II important. but he had n more per.
sonal question to ask: Whom do ye
say that I am" Then Peter speaking
as the father gave him uttcrance.
said: Thou are Christ, tho son OF the
living God" This In the basic fact OF
Christianity.
Notwithstanding Peter gave utter.
ance to this great truth. the master In
a short while administers to him the
sternest rebuke that he ever admin
ktered TO any follower OF bis.
lie then proceeds TO outline the cor.
ditions OF discipleship. IF any man
will" The highest expression OF re
ligion Is not TO be found IN reason
Our conclusions cannot be infallible.
because they are the result Of train
ing. and. in some instances. condi
tons. Yet we should cultivate this
faculty. The master never put n pre-
MUM apon ignorance. He desires In
telligent as well as faithful service.
Neither Il the highest expression OF
religion found In emotion. though this
II an important part of cur natures
Strong men sometimes disparage emo
ton The emotions are productive OF
great good and much happiness. but
they cannot be depended upon M final
In religious expression.
But the highest expression OF re-
lgion Is 10 be found in the human
will Christ Is not concerned about
who is able. for he has made u pos-
sible for every man to inherit eternal
life. But he Is vastly concerned about
who will. One has said that the nor
nal man Is two-thirds win and one
third intellect. The intellect II the
shell. the will II the powder within
the shell that gives II its force and
power The feelings are tho waves
thrown OF from the side Of n great
ship: the will IL the rudder under.
meath. unseen. yet all important.
People who are governed entirely
by their emotions are hard to handle
and make most OF the trouble In any
sphere. A great locomotive can draw
a large number OF empty cars, but
they make n great deal Of noise and
II II difficult TO keep them on the
track. II Is necessary for the church
to pull great many empties. but
they are noisy and unstable. Religion
Is not the extinction Of the will. when
we say Thy viii he done.- II does not
mean the destruction. but the develop
ment OF our will TO the point where .;
with the will OF God. Hugh
Price Hughes has given an admirable
definition OF sanctincation. lie says
1T is a supreme desire not To want 20
have our own way"
Let him deny himself" This means
vastly more than physical self denial
There Is often a species OF selfixhness
In self-denial. Men become recluses
when they could be useful
Ages ago certain classes of men
thought they had found the secret o.
holy life. They shut themselves up
In inconsistencies at large. They learned
what We learn today, that the great.
EST temptations are not the ones that
come from without. but the ones that
come from within. The strong man
Iortihes himself against the enemy
hat can be seen. then falls before the
one that steals upon him from withix
ais own life.
And take up his cross" This In
iicates positive life. We are not
old TO fall under the weight Of the
ross. but TO bear up under Il. We
ire not to be passive, inactive men
inder difficulties but men of victory
Victory was never won EXCEPT by az
yressiveness. The man of action. even
hough the action be not always com.
nendable, is more honored than the
nan who has the courage TO act at
III. Every persons cross Is not the
anne, but crosses there will be in
very life. Tis the power TO bear the
ross and not to let the cross bear US
hat determines the character of our
liscipleship.
And follow me" Christianity IL
lot code OF laws. Rules cannot be
made for every future condition Of
lie. Instead OF It being obedience TO
ules and regulations II Is a life to be
wed full and glorious In accordance
With the will OF God. which is revealed
INTO us. II we are willing we shall
now OF the doctrine.
Except ye become as little children
e shall In nowise enter the kingdom"
he master does not mean for us to
ecome puerile and childish. II ever
trong men were needed 10 do the
FORK that God wants done. that time
J nov.
What he wants Is that We shall have
he spirit OF teachableness we find In
be child. The child realizing its lack
{ knowledge seeks TO learn. We are
have the same spirit with referencs
religion. The spirit OF God WIN not
ave the willing mind In darkness.
Finally Christian character Is not
much an attainment as Il Is a
rowth. At the last Il will not be
idged by Its accomplishments. but BY
be progress II has made.
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