The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-05-09

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Jesus set forth while seated upon
the mountain delivering what Is usual
" 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 10 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-
lions Of these new principles.
IL say unto all you who hear" Not
all who listened that day. even among
the disciples, really heard what Jesus
was saying As for illustration these
truths did not grip the heart and life
~ Judas. SO II Is today, having ears
20 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 more be given. (Aik $50.
Tnin9s " Icacnes anu why
love your enemies Is not alone a
teaching of the Christian faith. IL
may be found under the old Jewish
dispensatlon and even among heather
philosophers but in each OF these In
stances Il does not convey the I'M
preston nor carry with Il the com
mand II does when Jesus utters these
words. The life OF Jesus IN a wonder
full exemplification OF the truth he In
seeking TO teach. In his case tho
words are n command and the execu.
tion Of that command he promises.
later, 10 make possible 20 all Of his
followers by the aid OF the Holy
Spirit We are TO pay for curses with
blessings. and for insults by prayers.
md the man who 80 conducts his lie
shall be happy. oh" but someone
exclaims. have I not certain inalien.
able rights7 Does not the other fei
lows liberty end where my nose be-
gins-' Certainly we have rights but
the right 10 suffer for Christ's sake IL
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 a.
well as 10 those who are worthy. 10
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.
lions. Outlines requests come the
literal granting OF which We know
would be detrimental 10 the best in.
terests OF the petitioner or perhaps
work hardship upon those dependent
upon US. For illustration. the grant.
ing OF whisky 70 a drinking man: Civ.
ing money TO a street beggar when
bread is needed by tho 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.
AS ye would, so do ye." Do you
want friends? BE friendly. Do you
want others 10 sell goods to you.
You must buy OF them. Do you wish
TO have others talk about you at your
backs? Then you begin az once to talk
about others at their backs. Love ex.
pressed merely for those who love US
VIII soon dry up. the circle constantly
growing smaller. That IL simply re-
fined selfshnesH. Sec verses 80 to
"a. II is In these opposite traits we
are 10 set the Distinguishing marks OF
a Christian.
We should recall the contrasts Je-
bus gave in this whole passage. The
rich and the poor the woes and the
Joys. the well spoken OF and those OF 4
his kingdom who shall be hated. To u
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 things?
Those who are in deed and in truth
citizens of this new kingdom. Paul
sets not only a strong emphasis upon
-V s,'~H'hb w Jtohrs bnl ut tADTttA-
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 a
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?
Pauls picture OF heathenism IN the
first chapter OF Romans is a striking
illustration OF the lack OF this redeem.
Ing trait OF love. Well may We pause
and ask this question. what have
done today that only a Christian
would dor" There Is absolutely no
fixed standard OF morals. they are de.
pendent upon many notifications OF
time, surroundings. culture, etc. but
the Christian has here an absolutely
fixed standard whereby 70 govern bis
life and actions. He is to love those
who love him not. IN be hind ora