South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-18
LOSS AND GAIN.

i. Inc interest OF Chf1StS Ming
dom Are More Important Than Life.
Christ's kingdom, in its widest mean
ing, embraces everything which con-
Germs our welfare both for time and
eternity. anC when we state that the
interests of this kingdom are more
important than life itself, ii is, TO
every thinker, self-evident PROPOSE
ton. A mans life does not consist
In the abundance OF things which
he possesses. but in his innermOst
nature, in his character, in his out
look. in the peace and poise of his
soul. These inner riches are only
secured when our relation TO Christ
and his kingdom is one of harmony.
When we think that the earthly and
eternal happiness of hundreds of mil
hons are involved in the interest of
progress of Christ's kingdom, we can
realize somewhat it's overwhelming
importance. We must therefore put
Christ ahead of our own life. Who
ever thinks more of his life than he
does of Christ cannot be a christian
and IN fact, If we are not willing to
take Up our cross or lay down our
lives ia the interests of Christ's king
dom, we cannot be his disciples
Christ, in the lesson, said to the heed
less multitude which flocked after
him that if they did not hate father
and mother and wife and children and
brethren and sisters and even their
own lives, when compared with their
desire for Him, they were none of His
=. To Barter Eternal Happiness for
Earthly Gain Is Unspeakable Loss.
Jesus when he was speaking on this
question said For what shall it
profit a man if he shall gain the whole
world and lose his own soul ?" The
story of the rich man and Lazarus is
a concrete example of the folly of
trading ones soul for earthly posses
sions. This rich man had evidently
set his heart upon his earthly sub
stance, and had stripped his soul of
its spiritual wealth 10 acquire riches.
When he went out into the other
country he was a poorer man than
even the mendicant Lazarus, who had
sat at his gate and begged. The things
we get at the cost of our souls are
worthless. Earthly possessions are
good when we hold them as God s
stewards, and dispense them as he
I directs. but when we endeavor TO sat-
/ isfy the hunger of our souls with for
\ hidden things. no matter how pleas
\ ant they may be TO the palate. we
1 find that at the last they bite like
I a serpent and sting like an adder"
\ There is bitterness in every cup OF
/ sinful delight.
/ 3. IL Pays To Give Up All Things
to Save Our Souls. When the crowd
rushed after Jesus, to see and hear
him, he shocked them by his drastic
language concerning the cost Of dis
cipleship. He would have them clear
\ ly perceive that his religion was not
something TO be obtained without sur
render, yes, even the surrender of all
things. including our lives, il that bs
necessary. If father, mother, wife OF
7 brother stands in the way OF serving
/ Jesus we must give UP our best
friend for the sake of accepting
Christ and his saIvation. 1t goes with
out saying that we must give up ev-
cry bad thing Internationally, and
when otherwise good things would
prevent our accepting or confessing
Christ those too must be surrendered
IL certainly pays TO surrender oUl
dearest earthly possession for the sake
of Jesus. for we simply give an acorT
for an oak tree. we fOrego thrill OF
sinful pleasure for an eternity OF rap
ture we deny ourselves for a minute
for the eternal rapture of our souls
How wise. therefore, il is TO withhold
nothing from God. and 10 give up al
things, when that is necessary, fol
eternal biessedness. To refuse to sur
render all TO Christ. at his lovinl
command. is folly, and means irrepar
able loss.
4. Whatever We Surrender for tn,
sake OF Christ Is Gain. "Godlines
is profitable unto all things, having
promise OF the life that now is. and o
, that which is 10 come" Gods chill
dren generally have a much bette
time than do the most successful
pleasure -seeking sinners Even the so
} called losses and our necessary sur
: render OF things 10 become chris
tiaas entail gain rather than loss
The martyrs who have been sawI
assunder, worried TO death by vile
beasts or burnt at the stake are nov