Jackson County journal., 1919-08-22

lNIERM EDlAIE TOPlC-Our RESPONSE
bility for the welfare of others
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-The
Christian ideal of brotherhood
The subject chosen by the lesson
committee for today, based upon this
text, is Social Responsibility" When
we consider the real meaning of the
text it is hard to understand why the
committee chose such a subject. How
ever, let US with open minds and |
hearts study the text, for it is of |
great Importance. Chfist's object was
to lead the lawyer Theological pro-
fessor) to understand the need of God.
J. Eternal Life Through Obedience
to the Law wv. 25-2S).
l. The lawyers question (v. 25). The
lawyer" was one who expounded the
Mosaic law. The nearest position cor
responding thereto in modern life is
the theological professor His ques-
ton was not an effort to ascertain the
truth, but to entrap Jesus. He not
only had wrong motive, but a defec-
tive theology. He thought that eter-
nal life could be secured by doing
obedience. He did not know that "dO-
ing meant keeping the law in it's mi
nutest parts, which is an utter impos-
sibility for fallen men; that failure to
measure up to the least demand of the
| law exposed him to the curse of God
/ (Gal. 8 10y.
2. The lawyer answering his own
question ". 2O. Christ's counter
question sent him to the law, Of which
he gave fine summary. Supreme
love to God and love to ones neigh
Dor as to ourselves is the whole Of
mans duty. 1t is true as Jesus said !:
This do and thou shalt live" w. 2S).
But no one has ever kept the law.
There is none righteous, no not one''
(Rom. 3:1O). "All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God" (Rom.
1929. "By the deeds of the law there
shall no flesh be justified in his sight
(Rom. 3:2O). "By the law is the
knowledge of sin" (Rom. 8 :2O).
II. Being a Neiehbor wv 29-37).
l. The lawyers question (v. 29). He
evidently keenly felt the force OF
Christ's argument, for he sought to
justify himself by asking, "Who is my
neighbour" This inquiry betrays his
lack of that love which is the fulfill
ment of the law Rom. 13 10Y. Low,
never inquiries as to whom to love, bu
'Where is some one who needs m,
love?" Christ convicted him on hi
, own grounds.
2. Jesus answer wv. 3O-3D. He ar
swered by parable in which certain
man fell among thieves on his way t
Jericho and was severely wounded
!. While in this helpless condition
Z. priest passed by, not even comm
0 near; also Levite, who was Interest
ed enough to look on him, but nc
q enough to help him. Finally a Ss
= maritan came where the wounded ma
{ was and, moved by compassion fC
J. him, bound up his wounds and brougl
Y, him on his own beast to the inl
L where he was cared for at the Samar
io tans expense. In reply to Jesu
&c question the lawyer declared that tt
60 Samaritan Was neighbor to the info
:. tunate man; and Jesus commando
III ll1lll W ~ anu uO llhSN1Sc w. o. i
es this Jesus showed him that the impo
tant question is not, "Who is II
neighbour" but "Whose neighbor a
40 II" Jesus came seeking those
whom he could be neighbor. Tho
who have his Spirit will be trying
- be neighbors instead Of hunting neig
bOrs.
Those who love God supremely wi
: us they pass along the highways
life, minister to the broken al
wounded souls in the spirit of neig
bors love, regardless Of nationality,
ligion, character or color. May '
hear the voice Of Jesus saying, "(
and do thou likewise"