Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-29
tiles be come in" and the "elect" class

tiles be come In" and the elect" class
completed. <.
The wisdom of God is foolishness
with men, and the wisdom of men is
foolishness with God-say the Scrip
lures. This is exemplified in our Lords
choice of the twelve apostles. the call
ing Of four Of whom is noted in this
study: Simon, Andrew, James and
John. However able they were as men,
they lacked the polish or education
which people were accustomed to ex-
pect in religious teachers. The bible
record Of them is. People perceived
that they were ignorant and unlearned
men" e
This reminds us that the apostle de-
clared that this high calling" Of God
to joint-heirship with Jesus influenced
merely the poor Of this world. rich in
faith; that amongst the elect will be
found mot many rich. not many wise.
not many learned, not many noble" q
Corinthians i, 26. 27) Success in life
leads to more or less Of self-cOnfidence
self esteem, self twill, whereas the gos-
pei message appeals to those who feel
their own weakness and imperfection
and unworthiness. and who cores
pondingly with great earnestness lay
hold upon the divine promise-the d.
vine aid. The words Of Jesus, Woe I'M
to you rich"-in wisdom, property.
fames in learning, in nobility Of char
acter-must not be understood to mean
that the great noble. wise and rich are
all or nearly all condemned to eternal
torment, or to any punishment, on &C.
count Of their riches of education.
character. etc. ...
Rather, we must remember the
standpoint of the great teachers mes
sage-"Woe unto you" as respects the
kingdom-you are less likely to gain
this wonderful high calling Of God
than II you were in humber circum-
stances. You have your consolation
now, and correspondingly have less
interest in the glorious things of Gods
message. You are SO well satisfied with
the things Of this present life that it
will be the more difficult for you to
sacrifice all these for the prospect of a
share in Messiah's kingdom But. said
the master, BLESSED are you who arc
poor in spirit, humble minded, and
therefore the more teachahle, for the
more you will look out for the great
gift Of God-the pearl Of great price,"
a share in the kingdom. f.
Even Demons Obey Him.
While Jesus was teaching in the
Capernaum synagogue q young man
! obsessed by demon. IAN unclean spir-
It," cried out. The demon recognized
Jesus and his teaching and used the
young man as his mouthpiece, his me-
dunn, saying, "Art thou come to de-
stroy us? know thee who thou art,
the holy one Of God" ..@...
The demons cast out of human things
! by our Lord and the apostles, the bible
tells us, were only holy angels. They
fell from divine favor through their
sinful relationship to humanity in the
days of Noah. Genesis vi. 1-5.) These
fallen spirit beings still desire human
relationship, and are styled "unclean
| spirits" because, however they may
begin by presenting themselves as
angels Of light. they later reveal their
! true characters by unchaste, impure
suggestions. ..s q.
| AS st. Paul refused to allow young
| woman medium to proclaim him and
Silas servants Of God (Acts xvi, 1918,
so Jesus refused to allow this demon
to give testimony respecting himself
even though 1t was complimentary. He
commanded the demon to come out OF
! the man. .--