Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-08-22


GOLDEN TEXT-As we have therefore
opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.-Gal. 6:1O
ADDITIONAL rLATERIAL-Gal. 81, 8,
10; James 2:14- g.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Showing kindness to
others.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Helping the needy.
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC-Our response
bilit7 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. Christ's object was
to lead the lawyer Theological pro-
fessor) to understand the need of God.
!. Eternal Life Through Obedience
to the Law (vv. 1928.
L. The lawyers question ". 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-
tion 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 etep
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 10Y.
z, The lawyer answering his own
question ". 27). Christs 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" ". 28).
But no one has ever kept the law.
There is none righteous, no not one
(Rom. 3 :10). "All have sinned and
come short of the glory of God" (Rom
3:23). by the deeds of the law there
shall no flesh be justified in his sight
(Rom. :20). 'By the law is the
knowledge of sin" (Rom. 8 :20).
II. Being Neiehbor (vv. 29-37).
1. The lawyers question ". 29). He
evidently keenly felt the force Of
Christs argument, for he sought tC
| justify himself by asking, "Who is my
neighbour" This inquiry betrays hi.
lack Of that love which is the fulfill
ment of the law (Rom. 13 :10). Love
never inquiries as to whom to love, bu
| Where is some one who needs M
lover" Christ convicted him on hi:
own grounds.
2. Jesus answer wv. 3O-3O. He an
swered by parable in which a certain
man fell among thieves on his way t,
Jericho and was severely wounded
While in this helpless condition
priest passed by, not even coming
near; also a Levite, who was interest,"
ed enough to look on him. but no
enough to help him. Finally a Ss
maritan came where the wounded mai
was and, moved by compassion 70
him, bound up his wounds and brough
him on his own beast to the inr
where he was cared for at the Samar
tan's expense. In reply to Jesu:
question the lawyer declared that tn
Samaritan was neighbor to the unfol
tunate man; and Jesus commando
him to go and do likewise ". 80. B
this Jesus showed him that the impol
tant question is not, "Who is N
neighbour" but Whose neighbor al
II" Jesus came seeking those t
whom he could be neighbor. Thos
who have his Spirit will be trying t
be neighbors instead of bunting neigf
bors.
Those who love God supremely will
as they pass along the highways G
life, minister to the broken an
wounded souls in the spirit of a neigl
boris love, regardless Of nationality, rC
ligion, character or color. May W
hear the voice of Jesus saying, &c
and do thou likewise"