The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-08-05

n a were about these:
Jesus was on trial
before the Roman
governor: Peter was In an outer hall.
way warming himself by fire: one
OF the maids connected with the house
hold OF the governor recognized Peter
as one that she had seen In the gar
den OF Gethsemane with Jesus and
she at once accused him OF being q
disciple OF Jesus by asking the ques-
ton OF the text. Out OF the question
that Indicated Peters position grow
some helpful suggestions.
companionshlp Indicates pIscipIeshlp.
II Peter was with Jesus he was
prima facie his disciple. When Jesus
was gathering his disciples his fire.
quent word was. Follow me" We
read that Matthew left all and fol-
lowed Jesus, and so with other disci-
pies. Sell that thou hast and fol.
low me-" "Whosoever will como after
me let him deny himself and take up
his cross and follow me-" We find
that the disciples attached themselves
to the person OF Jesus because they
were his disciples or learners, keeping
within easy reach OF the great
| teachers voice. Jesus Christ does
not ask this mark OF discipleship with
out guaranty OF reciprocal companion
ship. He fulfilled to the letter the
promise. Il will never leave thee nor
forsake thee"
Disciple Cannot Escape Recognition.
Christians are marked men. not with
the stigma such as St Francis fan
cied he carried. but with marks easily
discovered by the world. A professor
In a theological seminary. addressing
new class entering the institution.
startled them by saying. You are
marked men" They soon found out
that on the streets. In the stores, In
social circles and elsewhere, they
were recognized as theologues. The
disciples OF Christ are usually marked
| by a public union with the Christian
church and thus recognized as church
members. The world primarily under
stands that church membership means
true discipleship. however false many
church members are TO their VOWS.
yet the least distinguishing mark OF
the Christian is his profession. He
must bear about with him every day
the marks OF the Lord Jesus as Paul
did. He must be always doing the will
OF God. going about doing good. mani
Testing his true character as a servant
OF all. and showing the spirit OF self
sacrifice. even unto death.
Test Of DIseIpleship.
The test Of Peters discipleship here
was the most trying one that could
have been put on him. and at the same
time Il gave him an opportunity OF
showing the true fiber of his character
and thus proclaiming his loyalty TO
his master. II is not difficult to be a
Christian on the Lords day or in the
revival meeting. but II Is difiicult to be a
Christian when one is surrounded by
drunkards, profane swearers and the
licentious. II was hard thing for a
believer to be a Christian in Rome.
for that city was Infamous In Its I'm
morality. II was hard for Peter to be
sincere where he was. and this difiicul'
ty primarily had its root In his folly
In being where he ought not to have
been. The greatest pains the Chris
tian suffers are the reproofs he re-
ceives from the world because OF his
Inconsistencies. There is a peculiar
delight among the people OF the world
in casting up the Inconsistencies OF
| Chrfattano To than pafar
enough In the garden. but before the
servants he was as false as a man
could be. He was brave enough In the
garden, but before the kitchen maid
he was timid.
But Il IL before the world that the
best testimony can be made. indeed. II
is the Christians business TO witness
In a world OF sin. The testimony OF
the master himself was given in the
world, and for two thousand years
that testimony has stood and is as ef-
fective today as when first given. Even
the memory OF Jesus Christ. as we
might say the tradition OF Jesus
Christ. has q place In the world that
nothing else can take.
Ease Of Apostasy.
And there is an incidental sugges-
ton In connection with Peters base
denial. In that the step from close
COMPATIBILITY with Jesus Christ 10
apostasy is not a long one. Peter
was In a true sense a primate among
the disciples. yet his base denial OF
his Lord is told as widely as the per
ndy OF Judas lscariot himself.
To rest In any Relationship 20 Jesus
Christ with too great confidence 10
dangerous.