Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-08
Sunday School Lesson
BY
. Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

The fruits reveal the species Of the tree,
and the fruits Of Q mans life prove his
relationship to Christ. Unless we are
rooted and grounded in Him we will
lack the power to practice in our daily
life the principle Of the golden rule.
Christianity is practical religion.
Jesus pointed that fact out in making
his application Of the outlines of the
ideal Christian life, that He gave to
them not to be admired as a system Of
morality, but as preceptS and principles
tney were to use in their daily living.
He presented to His hearers the difficult
ties that they faced in trying to live the
Christian life by three pairs of con-
trasts; the two ways, the two classes of
trees and the two kinds of houses"
Jesus taught that they ought as Chris
tiens to be different from the people of
the world. We live in an age when some
are seeking to obliterate the differences
between the members of the church and
the world. There are vital restrictions
IN connection with living between them.
Christ made sharp and distinct con-
traSt between the broad and narrow
way, whose entrances and destinations
are totally different. The narrow way
by its attitude of heart and personal ex-
perlence in their conduct helps develop
Christlike character, while the broad
One leads upward and the other down.
ward. I'VE cannot serve God and man.
mon."
Meeting the Test.
Christianity is demonstrated not by
its profession but by its possession. It
is question not of the lip but of the
life. The product of our daily life. like
that OF the tree, proves beyond question
60 y Tf1H srfN ITA oil
meet the Judgment test of our works
which Jesus taught by His parable of
the house builders. The foolish builder
did not consider the uncertainties of
the future. He erected his house in
dry valley, where the waters of the
rainy season would wash it away be-
cause he had put no foundation under
his building. The wise man looked
ahead. He sought a place free from
the dangers Of floods. He selected a
place of security and placed founda-
ton under his house, so that it stood
the test Of the storms. Every person is
a builder. We are constructing our own
characters and determining our own
destiny. If we fail to build upon Christ
Jesus, when temptations and difficulties
assail us we will fail and become
human derelicts in character. II we
build useless lives ana face God with
wasted careers, the penalty Of His
judgment will be Depart from me, for
never knew you"
If we build our lives upon the rock
of ages, by obeying Christ's commands,
We will be building characters that will
stand the test of the struggles and
storms of life. If we are faithful to our
Lord in the development of our char
acters and in the building Of our lives
we may face Him at the Judgment and
rightly expect that He will recognize us,
welcome us into our Fathers heavenly
home, and assign US Q place Of honor
in the kingdom. The marvel Of divine
grace is that He has q place In His
work for men and women who have
failed and been redeemed by His blood.
In every crisis in the work Of human
uplift, the saving Of men and women,
the followers of Christ should be cham
pioning that which will help establish
with the Lords help, they can master
every difficulty and trial, weather every
storm and win out in way that will
glorify the Lord Jesus.
When the Master concluded His
greatest sermon, one that VIII never be
surpassed, the people marveled at His
message. They were astonished at the
authority with which He spoke. Back
of His appeal was no reference to any
traditional truth, no quotation from the
law or any distinguished teacher. He
was the authority. The truths that He
had spoken had ring Of sincerity and
truth that appealed to the multitude.
He warned them of the dangers Of
false faith, false prophets and false
foundations. We must test all things by
their fruits. If the results do not come
up to His standards, then they must be
rejected and destroyed. II the followers
of the Lord Jesus applied this test to
every problem that is pressing for solu-
church and country they would all be
quickly settled. and settled right. Let
us apply His test to every measure and
proposal, and remember that every
tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire"
Let us make it guide in every personal
and public problem that we face.