Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-28
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
I John, 3.1-o4.
Golden text: my little chill
dren. let us not love in word.
neither in tongue but in deed
and in TRUTH John. BIS.
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

Our study for the past quarter has
been a series of studies in the Chris
tian life. SO that We ought to be able
to give an answer to the question
assigned for today's consideration,
What does it mean to be a Chris
tian?" by reviewing the themes that
have engaged our consideration dur
ing the last three months. 1t is a
practical question that. like the les
sons of the quarter. is full of present.
day applications, for the Christian
life differs from the religious life of
other faiths, in that It is a complete
life that considers mans relation to
God himself and all others
Mystery marks the commencement
Of all life. The spiritual life Of the
Christian in its beginning Of divine
by its marvels of divine grace. 1t
has resulted in differences Of defini-
tion concerning its commencement,
yet all agreed in the Interpretation OF
what it means to be q Christian. be-
cause the man who has been born
he responds to the call OF God to be-
come a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Mon may be brought by various
means or methods to become Chris
tians. but faith in Christ Jesus as
their Lord and Savior characteristics
widely they vary in their personal
experiences. The first followers Of
Christ in Europe were won for the
Master by Paufs personal work At
the seaside prayer meeting place.
These turned away. from their old
faith and proved their faith by obedi-
once to the teachings Of the apostle.
The Christian recognizes the author
ity Of the Lord Jesus by his desire
to become in all things like his
Savior. Following Christ's plan a.
exemplif1ed in the Masters life. les
sons and love is his ambition. In .
word, it means to be like Jesus to
be Christian.
Growth is characteristic Of all life.
but the Christian life is unique in
that it never ceases to develop even
after death. Several Of the lessons
have considered tho various helps to
the Divine Life. 1t is impossible to
even mention all aids to Christian
erowth. but among those that We
have considered are the study Of the
Scriptures. prayer and ns. psrson ~
Gods commandments. unselish
service. church work. speaking
for Christ. financing His work.
lighting all forms Of evil and mis-.
sionary activity. The discipline Of
l1Ie ana the exercise oL ioNe oorH u
a spiritual union with Jesus are evil
dences of the possession Of Chris
tian life and help develop the life
of Christ in His followers.
This development into the likeness
of Christ is due to the fact that .
that Of the Fathers. He puts God
first in all things. This causes him
to study the Bible so that he may
know what God wants him to do in
carrying on His work in the world.
He finds in it's sacred pages tho
principles which when properly ap-
piled will solve every problem OF life.
His desire to be like his Lord calls
| for a close fellowship with Jesus in
prayer so that he might come into
close communion with God. Prayer 10
| one of the greatest sources OF spirit
ual progress. for 1t lifts one into the
atmosphere Of the eternal one where
one comes to look at things from His
| viewpoint. It aids his morale. max
| ing him always DESTROYS OF being g
obedient and loyal to Christ Jesus.
The reflex influence upon ones own
life is seen in the mastery OF MS
body making it a servant Of the
spirit so that he lays aside the sin
and weights Of heredity to live lie
free from all form Of immortality and
| iniouity. He becomes anxious to Mt
his body and mind to do their best
| for God and his fellowmen. Sin IL
selfishness. The man. who no longer
lives for self. but for God. and the
! good he can do In the world. nnds his
heart and hand going out to help. AID
and assist struggling humanity. Hs
! finds the need Of help. which he nnds
among mon Of like mind who are
members Of the church. Tho Chris
tian will love his brethren and seek
to corporate with them In their ef.
forts to conquer evil and win the
| world to Christ.