The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-08
BIBLE STUDIES OF BROOKLYN
 TABERNACLE
By PASTOR RUSSELL


 Loving Our Neighbors.-Lulke vi. 27-SS; | Romans xiii, S-1O
 "1hou shalt love thy neighber as thy self "-Romans xiii, 9.
 1 Today's study is from St. Luke's &C., count of the sermon on the mount. It does not profess to be regulation for the . world, but applies to saints-to those who have consecrated their lives fully to fol- l low in the footsteps of Jesus-to suffer Him thA they may also reign with Him. Even these may not be able to live up to every feature of the Masters instruc- tions, because of weakness in their fallen flesh. We must take the Masters words addressed to the faithful as representing the full. complete, perfect standard. It is for each disciple to recognize this su- preme standard and to measure and gauge his thoughts and words and doings thereby, and as closely as possible attain this standard.
 1 Thus doing our very best, yet surely coming short, the apostles words apply to us: "The righteousness of the law is 1 fulfilled ill us who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit" We walk after the spirit, and would walk up to it if we could, but, being unable to do so, 'The | blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin" This is the happy state of all who through faith and conservation be- come children of God during this gospel age
 l As for others than Gods people, He does not speak to them at all, except to tell them that they are sinners under the sen- tence of death, but that He had made pro- vision for their reconciliation through the blood of the cross, and that whether they 1 become disciples of Christ or not under the call to brideship, nevertheless their words and conduct in the present life will all advantage or disadvantage them in tlie life tC come. In this secondary way the world-all mankind aside from the church, the consecrated-may be measur- ably enlightened by the Masters teach ings in this lesson, even while it is not addressed to them.
 The Path of Love Marrow Way" | The path of love is, as Jesus describes l il, under present conditions, marrow way" narrow is the gate, difficult the way of life now open. Only the saintly few will be willing to walk therein, and only these will gain the great prize. "the pearl of great price, joint heirship in l Messiah's kingdom. Hearken! Do not merely observe the golden rule toward your enemies, but love them, and do good to them that hate you, and bless them that curse you, and pray for them that despitefully use you"
 l The Masters expression, Unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other" is to be taken as signifying simply: Do not render evil for evil, even l though he smite thee on the other cheek also. Our Lord Himself, when smitten, according to the report did not invite the 1 slniting of the other cheek, but rather He defended Himself to the extent of criticis- 1 t~,<~ &f,. z~1 TD,.k 1IA r. sfiitten on the other cheek also let us not for Q moment think that He would have resisted, in the sense of rendering | blow for blow.
 l The next statement is more comprehen- i siyely given by Saint Matthew. If any | mat sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, withhold not thy cloak also." The follower of Jesus may flee from an adversary, or he may resist him to the extent of proper expostulation, but he is | to be thoroughly responsive to all gov- c-mnent; If the court decides that his coat and hil cloak shall both be taken from | hin.. he shall unmurmuringly submit, even though he realize that such procedure ] would be unjust and quite at variance with the divine regulation. Saint Paul as well as Jesus used argument in his own | defense, not only with the mobs, but also before Judges; but they resisted the law ! never
 "This Is Hard Saying
 "Give to everyone that asketli of thee. and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again." The broadest inter- preiat!on we could consistently give to this would be: Be generous. tender heart ed, err on the side of too great generosity rather than to be hard hearted. selfish. i The lord could not have meant us to take | His words with absolute literalness; as, for instance; Give a child razor if it asks for it. Or: Give money to the dissi- pated, that they may inJure themselves sun more. The spirit of 2 sound mind