The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-07-11
LESSON FOR JULY 20
oBEViNG GOD.

a
Hg2-2t James l:22-27
GOLDEN TEXT-If We love me. We will
Keep my commandments 14.1b
DEVOTIONAL READIN0-John 10 .S-i7.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Loving God and do
Ing his viii.
LESSON Matthew a:is-2;
INTERMEDIATES. SENIOR AND
ADULT TOPIC-Obedience. To whom
why Howl
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Chron-
lces 1913 Psalms i03i7-is. Matthew b.i9:
John i5:i2-H. ] John 1885, II.
Obedience II vital part Of our re-
llgion. The obedience Of the Chris
tlnn Is not legal but fllnl. Eternal
life Is not secured through obedience.
but obedience Is the tangible evidence
that one possesses II.
I. The Call Of the First Disciples
(Matt 4:1s22).
/. by whom-Jesus Christ ". 1s).
Jesus Is the Son Of God. Since he
II equal with God. he has the right 10
call. Those who hear his call should
render instant and hearty obedience.
= 2. The circumstances Of their call
~ 1s).
The call came 20 them while they
were busy with their business inter
ests. God always calls men who are
vitality engaged In some business, not
those In idleness.
3. The nature Of ". 10Y.
II was n definite call. in that def
ID tnN. d. a
service.
~ To follow Christ. We must fol-
low Christ before we can serve him.
Only Christians can do Christian work.
We should follow him 10 be like him.
In order 10 win others 20 him.
(2) To win men for hlm-"Fishers
Of men" Chrst calls men into work
Of the same character ms that In which
they were engaged. They had been
fishing for fish; now they are 20 be
fishers Of men. When Christ calls
men he does not call them 10 a lower
service. This Is n fine case Of promo
ton. Men catch fish 10 kill and feed
upon them. hut Christ's disciples catch
men 60 make them alive and feed
them.
4. Response TO Christ's call wv. 20
22).
u) They left their business inter
ests Immediately.
(2) They not only left their busl-
ness. but James and John left their IA
Their also. Following Jesus sometimes
means turning ones back upon bust
ness interests and dearest friends and
relations. Regardless Of what II
costs. the true disciple will rem
der Instant obedience 10 the call
OF Christ, because he has right 20
call us, and we can trust his wisdom
10 not call until ne has need.
~. The Motive for Obedience tJohn
II :22-2D.
The grand motive actuatlng ohedi-
ence Is love 90 Christ. The proof that
we do love him Is that we obey him.
Even when we may not be conscious
Of unusual outgoings Of the affection,
the conclusive evidence that we love
Is that we obey. Keeping his com
mandments means such "A regard for
them that we highly treasure them ms
something precious. The reward for
such obedience Is tO have Christ's
prayer for us 10 God to send his Holy
Spirit upon us (John 1i:l6. ~. Then,
too. the Father will love us. and he
and the Son will take up their abode
with us. This abode IL not temporary
but permanent.
~. The Kind OF Obedience That
Counts James l :22-27).
I. The obedience of deeds wv. D.
24).
Hearing Gods Word will do no good
unless IL II accompanied with obedi-
ence. Hearing and not doing IL as
futile as beholding ones face In
looking glass and forgetting what man
ner OF man he Is. Calling Christ Lord,
egd not doing what he says. will avail
nothing Matt. 7 :2l. 22). To pretend
40 know God and not keep his com
tnandments ls TO lie q John 2:4.
2. The obedience Of perseverance
". 25).
We should not only look into Gods
Word and admire It's projections. but
steadfastly and persistently do the
thisgs required. Only those who thus
persevere shall be blessed In their
deeds.
3. The obedience OF speech ". 26).
The one who has genuine religion
will control his tongue. Just as the
physician Ofttimes can diagnose the
physical condition Of the patient by nm
examination Of the tongue. so the
moral and spiritual condition Of the
individual can be determined by the
sueech OF the individual. The one
who does not control his tongue proves
that his religion Is empty and void.
4. The obedience Of Kindness ". 20.
Those who have received the kind
ness Of God will manifest that kind
ness in their lives. This kindness will
express itself in mlnlstering to the IA
therless and widows.
8. The obedience Of purity OF life
". 2O.
The Law OF God enjolns upon his
children not only purity OF life, but
abstinence from all appearance OF evil
The one who has been made partak-
Jr of the Divine nature keeps himself