Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1914-06-18

anu mainfDoS. Lake 1913. tRead also
entire verse)
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 a revelation OF our
everyday experience. The lesson nat
urally divides itself into two sections
Read carefully the parallel accounts;
Matt. 49,: 1880 and Luke 18:1S-3O
Man Of Courage.
I. An Eager Young Man. w. 1922.
This man is an arresting figure. Much
may be said in his favor: CD He was
young Matt. 1920 (2) He was in
earnest. came running" (v 10: (3
He was educated. "a lawyer" Luke
1918; (G He was rich Mark 1922:
(5) He was loved by Jesus. Mark 10:
81. That he had lived clean life Is
revealed by the answers he made to
Jesus. Moreover he must have been
man or some courage, belon ging "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 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
~ &I,;,
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:l6 Life is gift
Rem. 6:23. We must not misunder-
stand the reply OF Jesus w. 1S). Jesus
did not deny being good. John 8: :46;
50: S:29. but he saw that this
young man was filled with the idea
OF his own goodness. To say that Jesus
wos good was practically to say he
" 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
ard subsequently he said. ". 2l) fol.
low me-" /. e.. for this man to yield
Last week we were taught to make
friends by means of the mammcn OF
ulriChteousness; that when IL shall
I" Il they may receive you into the cter.
n tabernecles." This Is exactly what
Christ told this young man to do.
!ell give to the poor" BY thus
Vi ing he would store up treasure In
heaven. That he could not stand the
tcat is evident from " %
PeriIs Of Riches.
II. The Masters Exhortation, w.
2|-21 As great teacher and philos.
opher Jesus took this occasion to point
out the perils OF riches Nearly every
nan Is willing to run the risk. We
have. however. bu, to look about us
10 see illustration after Illustration OF
.he truth OF these words How hard
i-increased Is wealth. decreased piety
"'iow hardly"-men seek to tone down
this picture but have no right so to
d2. The only safety is found In the
words or verse -. with God all things
:fe possible" The most severe test
possible TO be given to mans relig-
fcus experience is for him to be pros
pcred in wealth or position. The rich
young ruler Is an evidence OF the fact
t''at such a goddess life is a restless
C'e.
notwithstanding his possessions his
refinement. the privileges OF his posi-.
ron and life so cleaniy lived as to
leave no vulgar moral scar. yet he e1.
claims: What shall do that ! may
inherit eternal life?" 1t was easier
In t.I
,ercd the city gate (or n literal
heedle's 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 seIf-con.
trolled life. AS men came to Jesus he
saw perfectly their individual needs:
their peculiar malady
Ihe disciples were amazed at the
masters words and thought IL rich
man cannot be saved there is hope
for none. Such Is not the meaning
rms is revealed I'm the reply to Peters
question Men are saved Irrespective
cf position or OF possessions for God
loves them all. Those who turn the
control OF their lives over to his keen.
Ing. those who. no matter what their
condidon or position In life follow
fim leaving ALL or bringing all as the
cage may be. will have their reward
here in this life and In the world to
conc. eternal Lie.
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 In n
trust God looks upon every man, as
Jesus beheld this young man. endowed
with great possibilities and covets
that life for high service. Arc We
more anxious to be rich than to be
good? Is IL not an evidence Of selfish