Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-07

Modern discoveries have made the
whole world one great neighborhood.
When Jesus delivered the messages
that are the basis of our study this
week, mems view of who were their
neighbors had not reached the concep-
ton that the Lords teachings have
given to men. Near the close of His
career, when the cross was only a few
days away, the Master emphasized that
His religion was more than a non-par-
ttcipation in evil, 1t was one of service.
In the parallels of the twenty-fifth
chapter of Matthew, we find the para
BILE of the virgins, teaching the founda-
ton truth Of the Kingdom, mans duty
to God. This was followed by the para
BILE of the talents that inculcated the
obligation of using faithfully all that
God has intrusted to us in efficient and
industrious service for the Lord.
While the parable Of the talents
opened up the question of judgment,
Christ's prophetic picture of the final
hour, When the Son Of Man Shall
Come in His Glory" and sit upon His
throne of judgment makes clear that
men will be judged by their ethical and
to find themselves among the company
of the righteous; more will be amazed
to find themselves classed with the
wicked. When the Lord shall return
to judge the world. His decisions will
cause universal establishment. Earth
ly standards will be ignored. Judg-
ments based upon worldly honors, social
place, or material conditions, are to be
reversed. He wildly and impressively
teachers us that His judgments of men
will be based, not on profession of faith,
but conduct that reveals the evidence
of His spirit. In this parable Jesus
taught mans duty to his neighbor. We
should realize that we are determining
by our conduct in reference to our
neighbors our future position in His
kingdom.
Commended and Condemned.
The basis of His Judgment is def
mite. In His prophetic view of that
event, Jesus referring to Himself, for
the first and only time, as THE King"
He speaks of the righteous as the
Blessed of My Father" They are to
be rewarded upon the great judgment
day for their good works. When they
are summoned to share with Him in the
reign of the kingdom, they will learn
that the Christian life is made up of
the common acts of courtesy and good
will sowed broadcast every day; the
things that make us good neighbors;
the things that Jesus did throughout
all His public ministry and in His
private life" as He went about doing
good" In that neighborly service
helping others the Lord considers that
we will be ministering unto Him. Our
work proves our faith.
The same principle was the basis of
condemnation as of commentator. The
seed sown determines the harvest. The
condemned protested against the de-
cision because they claimed that they
had not done anything evil. This was
the foundation for their condemnation
Inaction proved their lack Of love. Their
neglect of their fellowmen in their hour
of need demonstrated conclusively to
the Lord Jesus that they belonged
among 1.-The wicked and Slothful serv
ants" BY their neglect to live the re-
ligion OF the Master, they will be as
signed and condemned to go away into
eternal punishment, but the rigteouS
into eternal life"
Helping Our NeighbOr.
Helping our neighbor takes on a per-
sonal aspect when we see that Jesus
considers our action toward the least
OF our fellow men as being done unto
Him. In his matchless parable of the
good samaritan the Lord made clear
to His hearers the fact that neighbors
cannot be confined to any locality, creed
or country. Where there exists hui
man need all prejudices and personal
wishes must be set aside when 1t inter-
teres with our responding to the call
to help some stricken soul and suffering
nation. The parable of the good Sa-
marian fell from the lips of our Lord
IN reply to skilled lawyer who tried
10 Tempt Him. He asked Jesus to an
sWer one OF the greatest questions that
we are called upon to meet in life. 1t
mas troubled the philosophers. preachers
and men of every belief-"What shall
| DO to inherit etenal life?" 1t is the
burden of many hearts, the problem OF
many minds. Util rightly answered 1t
Is apt to absorb every other question.
Jesus met the dangerous question with
another, How readest thou?" His re-
ply showed that he was spiritual man,
Tor Christ Endorsed the mans answer
ny saying. This do and thou shalt
i've" He was confused, by Christ's
nome thrust and in order to justify
himself, asked the question that we all