The Mena weekly star., 1916-07-20

& whether ye loNe
 the Lord your God ~ M with all your llRAalQk kU22ElllJ heart and with
 all your soul" (Deut. 13:3) 4 report follows,
 Whoever looks out over the world to- day can perceive that God Is judging the nations, especially those that have been greatly blessed with His favor. He is permitting the nations of Chris tendon to pass judgment upon them selves, to manifest their real heart condition, to show whether they have profited by their opportunities and blessings. The Almighty Is bringing to light the real condition of humani- ty; and the nations are manifestlng the fact that SELFISHNESS is the root from which spring the evil fruits of jealousy, envy, hatred, strife. The whole world is being crazed as the angry passions of the race are being aroused Just as the Master said to the Jews Behold. your House is left unto you desolate," so now desolation is coming upon Chrlstendom. But mans extremity will prove to be Gods opportunity. Messjah's Kingdom is just beyond the trouble, and will bring everlasting peace and prosperity.
 The world has come to esteem itself to be Christian, the speaker said. The European nations are generally styled Christian nations" Nevertheless the Bible declares that the world is not Christian, has not the Spirit of Christ in it's activities. Therefore the world is self-deceived To the extent that na- tions have had light, to that extent they are responsible. The Bible does not credit the world with full responsi- bility, however. Only those have full responsibility who have taken the step of entire conservation to God through Christ. Having been begotten of the Holy Spirit, these have an amount of light that brings life or death re- sponsibility
 Worlds Judgment Begun.
 The worlds responsibility is propor- donate to its light. Surely God would expect more of the peoples of Europe than of Asia and Africa, who have lit | tie knowledge of Him! So just at this time, when Bible chronology shows that Gods lease of power to the Gen tile governments has expired, we see exactly what we should expect-that God is permitting the nations to pass | judgment upon themselves, to demon strate whether or not they have made proper use of their opportunities for development in righteousness.
 These nations have had much to say about the Lord; they have held aloft the Cross of Christ; they have many places for prayer and worship, hosts of | priests and preachers of all denomina- tons. With all these advantages for centuries, we might have expected thGt Europe would be in a much better condition than 1t is-that the people would have learned what Is the Spirit of Christ and what is not. St. Paul de- clares that the Lords Spirit Is mani fested in meekness, gentleness. pa l Hence, gcdliness, self-control, love- With the exception of Turkey, the | peoples of Europe claim to be Chris tan. The Lord Is now proving them. Not having been taught Gods way, the masses are demonstrating that they are not Ills children. Not having pass ed from condemnation to justification | by faith in Christ's redemptive sacri- 1 flee and by ful conservation to God, they are still in their sins. Seemingly they have no proper conception of their | privilege of presenting themselves liv- Ing sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1, 2) Judged by what people. themselves de- clare, very few have taken these steps. While in all these nations, God has a truly consecrated people, yet the great mass are only outwardly protesting Christians. Now He is bringing to them the knowledge of their true con | dition.
 The Pastor fears that our own coun- try will not escape in the impending judgment There is much of Christian profession here-a form of godliness devoid of it's power-much of worldli- ness, extravaganza and corruption. There is also much of restlessness and dissatisfaction. Indeed, the whole world is becoming crazed as mems angry passions are being stirred up. The whole world is demonstrating that behind this trouble which s spread ing everywhere is SELFISHNESS. Pressure is brought upon smaller eoun- tries to force them into the conflict. Nations have bargained over the sacri- flee of their peoples lives.
 God is also judging His true people q Peter 4:17) While He has judged them throughout the Age, yet His judg- ments are now to accomplish a sep arating work. CMatthew 13:30,) New ertheIess the faithful amongst His peo. pie can rejoice. for their deliverance draweth near. Messiah's Kingdom Is at hand, even at the door, and will