Graham guardian., 1916-01-21

lIA2lSlA -kO2oLlLJ N IN Der II [
these words were
addressed TO the Jews. the speaker de.
clarCd. The class invited to disciple
ship were not so much those who la
bored and were heavy-laden physical
ly, but those who were burdened
mentally and morally. The Jews had
Striven for centuries to keep the Law.
the terms of which were, HE that
doeth these things shall live by them"
UevIticus 1859 But still they were
dying; and they knew that If they had
kept their part Of the Law Covenant
God would have given them life.
The Pastor Illustrated this point by
referring to the rich young ruler who
came TO Jesus. (Matthew 19:16-24.J
The young man, a noble character,
was striving hard to keep the Law
The thought which our Lord present.
ed to him was this: IF you are bur.
dened with trying to keep the Law
perfectly, and see that you cannot gain
lasting life, will show you the only
way by which any can get that life
Cease from your own works, and ac-
cept through Me, as Gods gift, the for
giveness OF the sins which you could
not avoid. Then renounce all things
earthly, and become Ny disciple"
We can readily see how riches Of
property. bonds. learning, knowledge,
experience, honor Of men, social stand
ing-wealth In any form-would him
der the majority from becoming fol-
lowers Of our Lord Jesus Christ, There
Is but one set Of terms under which
any may come to Him. Whoever does
not wish to accept these terms may
wait for the less honorable opportunt
ties Of the next Age. The Call of the
Gospel Age is unique. Some learn Of
1t; fewer accept 1t; still fewer prove
faithful to the end. But Gods Plan
for the world Is a Restitution Of all
that was lost in Adam.
Tho Church w. the World.
Then the speaker contrasted the
course Of the Church with that Of the
world, During this Gospel Age who
ever walks in Jesus footsteps must
walk contrary to the spirit Of the
world. Yet this class are the happi-
est people on earth, although the world
their own flesh and the Devil are OPP
posed to them. Satan pays more ut
tention to them than to any other peO-
pie. There Is no need Of his giving
special attention to those who are
asleep. But whoever is waking up and
getting his eyes open will be beset
with persecution, worldly inducements.
everything to oppose his way.
But If this class retain their love,
faith and obedience, God will turn the
opposition into a blessing. Our Lord
foretold exactly what would come to
His faithful followers: They shall say
all manner Of evil against you falsely
for My sake" Matthew 5:10-12) st.
Paul also declared, "Au that will live
godIy IN CHRIST Jesus shall suffer per
secution." q Timothy 3:l2J But
there is an exceeding great reward
for following Christ, for doing Gods
will under present uufavorable con-
dltions.-2 Tim. ell, II; Romans Sill.
The Pastor then explained In detail
how we become yoke-fellows with our
Lord. To those who are striving hard
to do right. God sends a special Mes
sage, inviting them to share In
Christ's sacrifice. But before they can
be accepted as joint-sacrldcers, their
blemIshes must be covered with Jesus
merit imputed to them This justifica-
ton is by faith. God will not justify
those who cannot believe. But He
furnishes sufficient evidence to assist
honest doubters; for some can believe
more easily than others.
Those who have thus presented them.
selves to God, through the imputed
merit Of Christs sacrifice, and have
been begOtten Of the Holy Spirit, have
assumed Christ's yoke. Our Lord Je-
sus puts Himself into the yoke with
the one who becomes His disciple. He
assumes the weight Of the load tor
those who are closely yoked with Him.
"Lo. | am with you Away, even unto
the end of the Age" Is His promise.
Although we are now In the very epd
Of the Age, yet the Age will not fully
close until the last member Of the
Church is proven; and all the way the
Lord will be with His disciples as a
true foke.fellow.
A very reasonable service Is that
which the Master requires of His fol-
lowers. II He will be our YOke-fellow.
we cannot fail. Then wherever He
leads. let us follOw-"through evil re-
port and good report. through honor
and dishOnor," through pain and loss.
Thnq W.. shall finally enter into His