Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1912-05-09


neighbor as thy sclf."-Rom. 1919
Jesus set forth while seated upon
tho mountain delivering what ia usual
ly termed as the Sermon on the
Mount, those principles tho 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-
tons OF these new principles.
81 say unto all you who hear" Not
all who listened that day. even among
tho disciples. 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
to 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. (Mk. 4:2D.
Things II Teaches and Why.
'Love your enemies" Ia not alone a
teaching OF the Christian faith. It
may be found under the old Jewish
| dispensation and even among heather
| philosophers but in each OF these in
stances It does not convey the Inn
| preston nor carry with II the com
mand it does when Jesus utters these
| words The life of Jesus Is wonder
/ full exemplfiCation of the truth he Is
seeking to teach. In his case the
words are a command and the execu-
ton Of that command he promises,
later, to make possible 10 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 inalien-
| 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's sake is
far greater than our right to defend
ourselves. God will attend to our
True those who ask may be unworthy
but God Is kind to the unworthy as
well as to those who are worthy. II
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 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 intTusted to our
care. Many foolish and fanclful in.
terpretations and applications have
been made Of these words.
Application Is Definite.
Tho simple application of the Gold,
en- Rule is however n very definite,
positive and comprehensive matter
vastly different from tho negative
proposition of Confuclus.
"As We would so do ye." DO you
want friends? BE friendly. Do you
want others to sell goods to YOU
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
10, a. Al pn
fined ssliishness. See verses 90 e
81. 1t is in these opposite traits We
are to set the distinguishing marks o
q Christian.
We should recall the contrasts Je
sus gave in this whole passage, Thu
rich and the poor, the woes and tn,
Joys, the well spoken of and those o
his kingdom who shall be hated. T,
love those who love rs not. to do goo,
> to those who despitefully use us. +
lend not expecting any return.
Who Is sufficient for these things
Those who are I'm deed and In trut
> citizens of this new kingdom. Pau
sets not only a strong emphasis upO
the teaching of Jesus, but he express
ly refers TO the Mosaic command
ments, enumerating four Of them, an
adds that IL these do not include tn
others-"if there be any other CON
; mandment"-it can be kept when
man obeys this Obligation to love hi
, neighbor, Indeed, how can we sa
l we love God whom We have not see,
If we love not our brothers, whom W
have seen?
Pauls picture Of heathenism IN IN
first chapter Of Romans is a strikin
; Illustration OF the lack of this redeem
ing trait Of love. Wen may we paus
} and ask this question, "What nave
done today tina, only a Christia,
3 would do?" There is absolutely n
fixed standard Of morals, they are de
3 pendent upon many notifications o
time. surroundings culture. etc, bu
the Christian has here an absolutel
: fixed standard whereby to govern hi
3 life and actions, He is to love thOs
!, who love him not. To be kind an