The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-06-09

"a Z day to be CEN
WINGED of this.
Nevertheless, Paul finds an illustra-
ton of the Christian life In the drama,
for the word followers" means imita-
tors. those who study from life and
attempt to copy someone else's activ~
tiles. The Thessalonians had thus
initiated the first missionaries to
their city, and In so doing had found
themselves following the Lord.
1t is evident they must have been
impressed that the missionaries mes
sage was one of vital concern, Tor
they received 1t In much affiiction.
albeit with Joy Of the Holy Ghost.
1t is only such an impression which
leads men to become imitatOrs OF 9TH
ers. We know a man who for years
has done business In the most bus
thing center of Chicago's traffic. He
has consistently adorned the doctrine
Of Christ In his daily walk, so that
II Is not surprising those about him
have been impressed. One day. bus
mess associate called up this mans
pastor and asked him II he could tell
liiln INV W Scl thC cdihC hhhN ~ -
ligion this man hadl He became an
imitator Of him and thus a follower
Of the Lord.
But imitation may be outward only.
Indeed. hypocrite, according to the
meaning Of the original word, Is q
lay-actor'-another illustration from
the drama! Hence, Paul uses an adj
ditional figure, which goes deeper.
From the sculptor's Art.
He calls these believers "ensam-
ples," that is examples or types. q
figure taken from the sculptors art.
The term suggests, not temporary
likeness, but permanent form. More
over, this form is implanted by a
force from without. A man might be-
come an imitator largely by his own
efforts, but an "ensample" must be
fashioned by the great Sculptor.
"We are His workmanship, created In
Christ Jesus unto good works." Re-
ligions made by men tickle human
vanity by exhorting to effort, to self
realization, and tell men what they
may make Of themselves. The Cos
pei cuts the nerve Of all self-confi-
dence, and assures men they are SIN
ners and must have a Savior. Such
gospel is repudiated today, but we
may still say with Paul, as he wrote
to Rome: II am not ashamed OF
the Gospel Of Christ, for II Is the pow
er Of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth."
Notice that this figure from the
sculptor's art looks two ways. Not
only must the ensample be fashioned
by a force from without, but when
fashioned, 1t becomes a pattern for
others. So, bearing the likeness OF
Christ ourselves, we are to impress IL
on others. T
The last figure Paul uses Is taken
from the art of the musician. He re-
minds his converts that from them
sounded forth" the Word of the Lord.
The particular reference Is to the her.
AIDS trumpet, with its echoes linger-
Ing on the air. Doubtless. they
preached the gospel, but better still.
they lived 1t. This spoke In trumpet
tones, and the sound was heard. Not
only In the province of Macedo',a
where they were, but even In A. la.
where Paul was, men were tell. OF
this remarkable company who SAD
turned to God from idols, to serv
the living and true God, and to wa
for His Son from heaven.
The Music Of Redeemed Lives.
Genuine goodness is more effectiV
In promoting the work Of God than II
most finished orations, but the ide
testimony is that in which lip and life
combine. The writer recently sat In
the office of a famous rescue mission.
and overheard the dictation Of
letter to a young Christian. The plain
woman who was attempting to dictat
II had been wonderfully redeemed.
Some years ago, she had reached such
depths that her children were taken
from her. Finally, when there was
no human hope for her, the Lord In
His great mercy saved her. She has
become a most useful Christian work.
err, the very embodiment of goodness
The letter we overheard her dictat-
ing was not marked by any literary
beauty. But as she spoke lovingly
and gratefully of her Savior, we fou "a
the tears starting, as we thou1ift Of
the depths from which she had been
lifted and of the way In which she
has been adjoining the doctrine Of God
In all things.
Are our lives and testimony such
as to impress them that know aus that
the Gospel is joyful sound, like The
sweet music of a herald's trumpet
Alas, that the religious life Of many
is negative. a weary round of duties
performed, whereas the Christian
heart Is intended as choir loft. In
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