Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1921-02-09

love thy neighbor as thyself-Matt. 70:
G-39.
REFERENCE MATERIAL - Matt "a:
I-Ss: Mark 12:l3-17. 1881; Luke 9:2O-2s.
A-44; Rom. l3:1-l4; Phil. 9:l7-21
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Land We Love.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Our Country.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Getting Ready for Citizenship.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Christian Standard of Citizenship.
!. The Tribute Money (vv. 15-22).
The Pharisees and Herodians pur-
posed to entrap Jesus and bring Him
into conflict with the Roman govern
ment, so they came to Him with the
subtle question. rs 1t lawful to give
tribute to Caesar or not?" At this
time the Jews were CALLING under the
yoke Of the Roman government. Some
even denied the right to pay tribute
to the government. To have answered
this question by "yes' or mo" would
have involved difficulties. To have an
swered Eyes" would have conveyed the
impression of endorsement of all that
the Roman government did. To have
answered mo" would have at once
brought Him into conflict with the gov
eminent. 1t is not an easy matter for
q Christian always to determine his
right relation to civil government
Many minister has made failure
of his work because he tried to solve
the problem. Christ's reply to this
question, properly understood and ap-
piled, is the final word on the sub
ject. Until the civil authorities de-
mand of us that which Is violation
of Gods law, we are bound to render
unto them obedience. "Render unto
Caesar the things that are Caesars"
means the highest obligation. Since
enjoying His protection and care 1t Is
our duty to owe all allegiance to Him,
TO yield our lives to Him In service,
worship and praise. Every one who
enjoys the benefits of civil government
10 obliged to pay the taxes which
are necessary for the support of that
government, and every one who re-
ceives Gods favor is placed under a
like obligation unto Him.
v u. The Great Commandment In the
Law ivy. 34-40l.
For the third time in one day the
Lord is tried by hard questions. While
these questioners were actuated by
wrong motives, we may be forever glad
that they put these questions to Him
because of the Invaluable truth which
His answers set forth.
l. The first commandment (vv.34.
3S). "'rhou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart. with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind" This
means that supreme and undivided
love to God is the first and great com
mandment. This At once shows that
mans supreme obligation is to God
1t is wrong 10 evaluate mans char
acter on the basis Of his morality as
expressed in his relation TO lis fellow
man.
.. The second commandment wv
39-40). The second commandments |:
in love- 1t is not said that it is equa
unto the first; that would not be true
A man may love himself, but not 'su
premely. Ones love for his neighboI
may be either too much or too little
The measure set is love for self We
should love God better than ourselves
He Is worthy of all our affections anC
demands all. Love is not mere emo
ton, but a supreme desire for the wei
fare of another and willingness Il
do everything possible to secure tina
end. The command to love our neigh
Dor is involved in the command to low
God. To pretend % love God Is foil.
If we do not love our neighbOr. NJ
one does really love his neighbor VIII
does not love God. To attempt t.
establish a brotherhood among mel
without the recognition Of the Father
hood of God Is utter nonsense. Mel
become children Of God by faith il
Jesus Chrust. It is true that In tn
sense Of being Gods creatures all me-
are Gods children. but In the Ney
Testament sense men are only God
children as they are in Christ. Bewar
of the man who Is constantly cryin
for the brotherhood of man and is a
the same time rejecting Jesus Chris
The only real way to bring in tn
brotherhood of man Is to preach Jesu
Christ unto the race and secure thel
acceptance of Him. We thus becOm
brothers in the real sense of the tern
when we have God as our Father. A
obligations resting upon man are en-
braced In these two commandments
Those who conform their lives to thel
are Gods children and are the yer
best citizens.