The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-06-18

GOLDEN TExT-''ye cannot serve God
and mammon" Luke M:n Uead alec
entire verse;
The story OF this rich young ruler
In one out OF the ministry OF our Lord
that has made an indelible impression
throughout every succeeding genera.
ton. This In 20 because u IL so vital
vibrant and vivid q revelation Of our
everyday experience The lesson nat
uraily divides itself into two sections.
Read carefully the parallel accounts:
Matt 1850 and Luke 1880
Man Of Courage.
!. An Eager Young Man. w. i7-22.
This man In an arresting figure. Much
may be said In his favor: GD He was
young Matt 1922: 12 He was In
earnest. came running" ". III: t1
He was educated. "a lawyer" Luke
1918; az lie was rich Mark 1914
go He was loved by Jesus. Mark 10:
revealed by the answers he made to
Jesus Moreover he must have been
man Of some courage. belonging A.
he did TO the ruling class. the Phari-
sees. yet he came running into the
| presence OF Jesus and cast himself at
his feet. We need but to recall that
this class was nj this time definitely
hostile 20 Christ. yet this young man
dared to speak the conviction OF his
heart In this public way by calling
Jesus. good" We feel that he was an
honest seeker after life. His question
reveals the unrest OF the human heart
II matters not what men may possess
Of wealth or position. these things do
not bring heart rest Great moral
courage. noble aspirations and benevo-
lence never will save nor fully satisfy
the human soul Man does not obtain
life by doing. Gal 2:i6. Life Ia gift.
Rom 6 % We must not misunder-
stand the reply OF Jesus ~ iS. Jesus
did not deny being good. John 8 &c:
1890; s29. but he saw that this
young man was filled with the idea
Of his own goodness To say that Jesus
was good was practically TO say he
was God and this the young man did
not mean. Jesus sought TO reveal to
him his careless use OF words. Jesus
undoubtedly here lays claim to deity
and subsequently he said. ". 2D fol.
low me-" l. e.. for this man TO yield
his life actually 20 the control Of God
Last week we were taught 10 make
friends by means Of the mammon OF
unrighteousness: that when Il shall
fail they may receive you into the eter-
nal tabernacles" This IL exactly what
Christ told this young man to do.
Sell give 10 the poor" by thus
using he would store up treasure In
heaven. That he could not stand the
test Is evident from v. %.
Perils OF Riches.
~. The Masters ErhortatIon. w.
1891. AS a great teacher and philos-
opher Jesus took this occasion to point
out the perils OF riches Nearly every
man Ia willing 20 run the risk We
have. however. but TO look about us
TO see illustration after illustration OF
the truth OF these words. How hard.
ly"-increased wealth. decreased piety.
How hardly"-men seek TO tone down
this picture. but have no right so TO
do. The only safety 10 found In the
words OF verse 81. with God all things
are possible" The most severe test
possible to be given TO q mans relig-
ious experience 10 for him TO be proc
pered in wealth OF position. The rich
that such goddess life IL a restless
one
Notwithstanding bis possessions. his
refinement. the privileges Of his posi-
tion and a life no Clearly lived as TO
leave no vulgar moral scar. yet he ex-
claims: what shall ! do that may
inherit eternal life," II was easier
for the proverbial camel TO have en-.
,ered the city gate Tor a literal
aeedle's eye AZ you prefer than for
this young man TO yield to God the
Of his life. Every life Is under
control. A goddess life is a self-con.
trolled life. As men came to Jesus he
saw perfectly their individual needs;
their peculiar malady.
The disciples were amazed at the
words and thought II q rich
man cannot be saved there Is hope
Tor none. Such 10 not the meaning.
This Is revealed In the reply to Peters
question. Men are saved irrespective
of position or Of possessions for God
owes them all. Those who turn the
control Of their lives over to his keep
ng. those who. no matter what their
condition or position In life. follow