The Elbert County tribune., 1912-05-10


neighbor ms thy seif."-Rom- 1919.
Jesus set forth while seated upon
the mountain delivering what is usual
ly termed as the Sermon on the
Mount those principles the working
out of which have changed the his
tory Of mankind. Last week and the
week before there. were presented
principles that in their application
are the very opposite to the natural
desires of the human heart. In this
lesson we have the summary. the con-
clusion of the whole matter. and next
we shall study some OF the applica,
tions of these new principles.
II say unto all you who hear" Not
all who listened that day. even among
the disciplns. really heard what Jesus
was saying. AS for illustration these
truths did not grip the heart and life
Of Judas. So It is today, having ears
10 hear they hear not. Jesus COM
mands those having ears to hear but
cautions them to take heed what we
hear and adds that to us who do hear,
shall yet moro be given. (Mk. 4:24).
Things II Teaches and Why.
love your enemies" is not alone a
teaching of the Christian faith. It
may be found under the old Jewish
dispensation and even among heathen
philosophers but in each OF these In
stances 1t does not convey the Inn
preston nor carry with It the COM
mand 1t does when Jesus utters these
words. The life of Jesus is wonder
full exemplification OF the truth he is
seeking to teach. In his case the
words are command and tho execu-
ton of that command he promises.
later. to make possible to all of his
followers by the aid of the Holy
Spirit. We are to pay for curses with
blessings. and for insults by prayers.
and the man who so conducts his life
shall be happy. "Oh." but someone
exclaims, have I not certain fnalien-
able rights? Does not the other fell
lows liberty end where my nose be-
gins?" Certainly we have rights but
the right to suffer for Christ'a sake is
far greater than our right to defend
ourselves. God will attend to our
rights provided we obey his word.
True those who ask may be unworthy,
but God Is kind to the unworthy as
well as to those who are worthy. 1t
Is noticeable that Jesus does not tell
us to give to every one who asks
that particular thing that is asked for;
God does not thus answer our peti-
tions. Outlines requests come the
literal granting of which we know
would be detrimental to the best In
terests Of the petitioner or perhaps
work hardship upon those dependent
upon us. For illustration, the grant
ing Of whisky to drinking man; Civ
ing money to a street beggar when
bread is needed by the children or
others whom God has intrusted to our
care. Many foolish and fanciful In
terpretations and applications have
been made Of these words. .
Application 10 Definite. :
The simple application Of the Gold
en- Rule is however very definite,
positive and comprehensive matter.
vastly different from the negative
proposition OF Confucius. 4
"As ye would. SO do ye." Do you
want friends? Be friendly. Do you
want others to sell goods to your
You must buy of them. Do you wish
to have others talk about you at your
backs? Then you begin at once to talk
about others at their backs. Love ex-
pressed merely for those who love US
will soon dry up. the circle constantly
growing smaller. That Is simply re-
fined selfishness. See verses 80 to
"a. 1t is in these opposite traits we
are to set the distinguishing marks Of
q Christian.
We should recall the contrasts Je-
sus gave in this whole passage. Tho
rich and the poor. the woes and the
Joys, the well spoken of and those of
his kingdom who shall be hated. To
love those who love US not, to do good
to those who despitefully use us, to
lend not expecting any return.
Who is sufficient for these things7
Those who are in deed and in truth
citizens of this new kingdom. Paul
sets not only a strong emphasis upon
the teaching Of Jesus, but he express-
ly refers to the Mosaic command
ments, enumerating four Of them, and
adds that. II these do not include the
others-"if there be any other COM
mandment"-it can be kept when .
man obeys this obligation to love his
neighbor. Indeed. how can We say
we love God. whom we have not seen
II we love not our brothers. whom We
have seen?
Paul's picture Of heathenism in tho
hrst chapter Of Romans is striking
illustration Of the lack Of this redeem
Ing trait OF love. Well may we pause
and ask this question. What have I
done today that only Christian
would do?" There II absolutely no
nxed standard Of morals. they are de-
pendent upon many notifications OF