Evening star., 1912-09-14
Christ Condemns Cities.

Tho rejection of John and Jesus for
contradictory reasons revealed the folly
and sinfulness OF the people. 1t brought
forth the note of condemnation on the
cities that had witnessed His great ef-
forts. Tile climax of their unbeief was
reached in their rejecting OF Christ. The
condemnation OF the cities is not the
utteranee of wishes OF woe upon them.
but the courts decision. pronounced by
Jesus as Messanic King and Judge. Sin
ful unbelief was the cause OF their con-
demnation. which is nothing moro than
a judicial and authoritative announce
ment of their hardened spiritual condition
and consequences. They had enjoyed the
ministry, messages and miracles or
Christ. They had witnessed the mercy
that had saved others and would have
saved them. If the Master at the judg
ment condemns u.s. il viii be because OF
our unbelief. which was the reason for
the condemnation of Chorazin and Beth
saida.
All that remains or these two cities are
mounds and ruins. They repented not
and have disappeared. The heather cities
of Tyre and Sidon, whose wickedness was
denounced by the prophets, have sur
Vived- The gospel message that fails to
move the gospel-hardened in America
any more than 1t did in Chorazin and
heather lands In China. Korea and In
dia 1t is winning great victories for
Christ and His Church. In Christ's con-
demnation of the cities. He reveals GER
tain principles upon which His judgment
will be based. 1t follows never precedes
opportunity. The cities had their chances
to receive the light.
! We have our opportunity and il we re-
lect 1t We Will suffer a merited condemna-
ton. The Lords judgment upon the
cities was measured by their opportunity
| The judgment on Tyre and Sdon Is not
commensurate with that on Chorazin and
Bethsalda. neither was the judgment on
Sodom as terrible as that of Capernaum
would be: and that because these cities in
which He had exercised His ministry had
received more remarkable opportunity
than the others. Our opportunities to
know Christ have been greater than those
| of persons born i'm lands where the mes
| sage of the gospel has never been pro-
claimed. Our life ought to reveal the
power of the gospel to transform our
| lives.
We also sec that if we neglect to utilize
our opportunity. judgment is inevitable.
.lnasmuch as ye did not is the charge
that many of US will face Ii We love
Christ We will obey His words. IL we
neglect, We show the lack Of love. The
words of Christ will Judge us In the last
| day. Our attitude toward the truth OF
God necessarily involves our Judgment
/ The fact that We face judgment for the
labors Of life must not be forgotten IL we
wish to make the most of our opportu-
| nifty.
! Our life is one great test, the issues OF
which will bring either eternal rewards
/ or eternal punishment at the Judgment
| In the world TO come shall receive the
merited commendation or condemnation
| or our Lord. Jesus could not preach the
| truths about future punishment without
tears in His voice. The tocsin of judg-
ment is followed by a passage that pro-
claims mercy In the hour when men
would despair because of apparent fail
ure Christ turns to the Father I'm prayer
! speaks His personal power and gives us
one of His great invitations filled with
| rich promise.