The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-06-19

The story Of this rich young ruler
is one out of the ministry of our Lord
that has made an indelible impression
throughout every succeeding genera
ton. This is 30 because 1t is SO vital,
vibrant and vivid revelation of our
everyday experience. The lesson nat
urally divides itself into two sections.
Read carefully the parallel accounts;
Matt. 19:16-30 and Luke 1880.
Man Of Courage.
!. An Eager Young Man, w. 1922.
This man is an arresting figure. Much
may be said in his favor: ~ He was
young Matt. 1920; (2) He was in
earnest, came running" ". ID; (3)
He was educated, "a lawyer" Luke
1918; az He was rich, Mark 1922;
(5) He was loved by Jesus, Mark 10:
81. That he had lived a clean life is
revealed by the answers he made to
Jesus. Moreover he must have been
a man of some courage, belonging as
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 at this time definitely
hostile to 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
1t 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. 216. Life is gift,
Rom. 1923. We must not misunder~
stand the reply of Jesus ". 1S). Jesus
did not deny being good, John S:4e;
1890; 1929, 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, ". Ply "fol-
low me-" |. e., for this man to yield
his life actually to the control Of God.
Last week we were taught to make
friends by means of the mammon Of
unrighteousness; that when 1t shall
fail they may receive you into the eter-
nal tabernacles." This is exactly what
Christ told this young man to do,
Sell :. q. give to the poor" BY thus
using he would store up treasure in
heaven. That he could not stand the
test is evident from v. %.
PeriIs Of Riches.
n. The Masters Elaboration, w.
1881. AS a great teacher and philos-
opher Jesus took this occasion to point
out the perils of riches. Nearly every
man Is willing to 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 80 to
do. The only safety is found in the
words of verse 81, with God all things
are possible" The most severe test
possible to be given to a mans relig-
ious experience is for him to be pros
pered in wealth or position. The rich
young ruler is an evidence of the fact
that such goddess life is a restless
one.
Notwithstanding his possessions, his
refinement, the privileges Of his posi-
ton and life SO clearly lived as to
leave no vulgar moral scar, yet he ex-
claims: What shall l do that / may
inherit eternal life?" 1t was easier
for the proverbial camel to have en-
tered the city gate Tor a literal
needles eye as you prefer than for
this young man to yield to God the
control 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 we're amazed at the
masters words and thought If rich
man cannot be saved there is hope
for none. Such is not the meaning.
This is revealed in the reply to Peters
question. Men are saved irrespective
of position or Of possessions for God
loves them all. Those who turn the
control of their lives over to his keep
Ing, those who no matter what their
condition or position in life, follow
him, leaving all, or bringing all as the
case may be, will have their reward
here in this life and in the world to
come, eternal life.
The one thing people most dread is
poverty, so did Jesus and he saw that
the possessions Of this life SO occupy
the time and attention of men as to
impoverish their souls. Wealth is a
trust. God looks upon every man, as
Jesus beheld this young man, endowed
with great possibilities and covets
that life for high service. Are we
more anxious to be rich than to be
good? Is 1t not an evidence Of selfish. |
ness to let those come after us dis
tribute our wealth? To enjoy It, gloat
over It and to use Il for yourself. then