Evening star., 1931-12-19
Sunday School Lesson
By
\ Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

human race to reveal the Fathers love
and save us from our sins.
Men could have learned the lesson of
the love of God for us in the works Of
creation, but they did not. The Mas
terS advent, which was in accordance
with Gods program from the very COM
mencemCnt, was necessary, because men
had failed to grasp the grace and mercy
of the Almighty in the laws that regu-
lated the universe and in His provision
for man. A great lesson was needed
and the Incarnation brought that mes
sage to the world, teaching it in way
they could understand Gods love for
men and women, who had failed by
providing for them a salvation. Here
in was the love of God manifested In
us, that God hath sent His only begot-
ten Son into the world that we might
live through Him. Herein is love, not
that we loved God. but that lie loved US,
and sent His Son to be the Precipitation
for our sins"
Christ came that we might know God.
In His life in the flesh men had vision
of the Eternal One, that they could
understand. In ChriSt's life, they saw
not only the purity of God. but His love
| in the work Jesus pcrfOrmed. During
His ministry, the Master went every
whore preaching the good news and
| helping humanity, healing the sick and
| feeding the multitude moved by His
! compassion for men. His life mani
! tested the love of God, that is of spir
| itu2l nature, more than any other per-
son has expressed the power of love in
| song, speech, symphony or sculpture.
1t is our privilegn to enjoy that love in
| our own experience if We will ac"eUt
! His gift of salvation and abide in HIS
love. If we dwell deep in His love- We
will confess Him before men and reveal
| to them by our daily life that we have
been with Christ and learned of Him.
Perfecting Love.
Gods love for us is personal. It Is
the key that solves the mystery of sor
row, suffering and struggle, for we know
that AL things work together for good
| tOr those who love the Lord" The sad
trial, the bitter testing and the burn
ing tears are all necessary in the devel-
opment of our character We cannot
become like Christ if we fail to suffer,
sacrifice and serve Him in life of self
denial. Where there exists a love which
can look beyond the clouds and deter
mine to face even death itself. that soul
reveals hope for the future that is
based upon Gods love.
His love for us is limited by our ca
paclty to receive it. He wants our love.
We can never understand his love unless
we reclprocate it in devotion to Him and
the promotion Of His kingdom Our
Heavenly Father has given us the privi-
lege OF being His own sons and daugh-
! tiers Our fellowship with the Lord
Jesus ought to give us confidence in
/ the future outcome of our life and
labor, SO that we should live such lives
CT love we would not be afraid to face
! the judgment seat of the Lord. AS He
Is, so are We of this world Our Lord
prayed that we should be with Him be-
cause He loved US and longed that we
should enjoy fellowship with Him in
glory. He gave us of His peace so that,
amidst the trials of life, We should not
be afraid. Our love is being perfected
by the experiences of our daily life.
ChriSt'S love for us aids MS to endure
! the difficulties of the moment. His love
helps US to love the souls for whom He
dled. 1t gives us courage 10 attempt
! the impossible for Him. knowing that
He is with us and will impart to us
something of His uplifting love and
power that will perfect our life. The
spirit of Christmas fills the world with
a longing for peace that the angels
promised to men of good will. The
Christian is called upon to lead this
changing world into one of peace and
prosperity by living a life filled with
love for all mankind. The one hope for
the establishment of an era free from
Tear is the development of the spirit of
love in the hearts of all mankind, unit
ing them all in the bonds of brother
hCod. Beloved, if God so loved us. we
also ought to love one another"