Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1925-04-10

oned it loss Nay, | even reckon
all things as pure loss because OF
the priceless privilege of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord. And for
his sake ! have suffered the loss
of everything, and reckon it all as
mere refuse, in order that | may
win Christ, and be found in union
with him. " phil. 37-S,) (Wey-
moth.) Paul had believed that 10
be an intelligent, honored and
prosperous jew was most desir-
able, His experience with Christ
taught him new values. When he
must choose between the things
he had counted worth while, and
those things which Christ offered.
without hesitation or later regret,
he chose the latter,
But Paul IS sacrifice was not all
negation. 1t is worth while to
read slowly and thoughtfuly, Ii
Corinthians 6-4-l0. In this pass
age Paul enumerates twenty-eight
items which in one way or another
characterize his ministry. In this
enumeration Paul doubtless had
in mind a number of experiences.
He was hunted and bounded, flog-
ged and imprisoned, stoned and
left for dead, and suffered hard
ship and shipwreck, But Paul not
only endured, but rejoiced that he
was counted worthy to suffer af-
Fiction for Christi sake. In other
words Paul had learned that the
spiritual blessings We're, and
should never sacrificed for things
material and transient,
To be crucified with Christ
therefor means that the material
or lower be made subservient to
the spiritual and higher.
The principle involved in this
expression is that of self sacrifice
which has been the secret of large
success in any line. 1t was the
cross which was really the secret
of Christ's broadly influential and
useful life. 1t was this principle
which gave Paul second place III
the breadth of his religious influ-
ence. NoNone would even have
spoken OF Paul so turning the
world upside down." had he re-
NAMED respectable and pious
Jew. Carey might have been a
very successful shoe manufacture
er, but, apart from his missionary
effort he would never have been
known. DIR. Grenfell might have
been a respected and wealthy
English physician, his choice Of u
life of hardship and sacrifice has
made him famous for his helpful.
mess and service to a people in
great need. In the interests OF
science and wealth men are con.
stantly exposing themselves to
CRATE dangers, and in some instan.
ces losing even life. Every life Of
great achievement has been sub.
ljected to this principle Of paul's
when he says, III am crucified
with Christ. "
Our final question therefore is
this,-To what extent do we share
Paul's experience? What worth
do we attach to our Christian
faith? Do we count in the great
intension, business of getting the
gospel to the utmost person liv-
ing in the earthY Have we ever
denied ourselves Of one meal, one
needless ornament, one empty a
amusement, for the sake of ou
Christian faith Would what we
have done, given or sacrificed ell
abble us to say with Paul II am
crucified with Christ? Never
was time so ripe or opportunity
or responsibility so grave as
at the present time. For the good
of the world, the peace of the
world, and the happiness of the
world, those, who believe in the
thigh excellence OF Jesus Christ
and the things he held dear
should make the needed sacrifice
and share the necessary cross to
make him known to all the world
I. S. Fretz, Pastor