The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-03-21

YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
t-Practlclng Our Christian Profession.
Having given instructions to citizens
(2:13, 14), servants (2:1S), wives
(3:1-6), and husbands (3:7), Peter
now sets forth the attitudes and mo-
tives which are required for the per-
lection Of all the relations of human
life.
!. Characteristics of the Christian
Life wv. SID.
These find expression in personal at
titudes and manner of living.
I. Toward fellow believers ". 81.
a. "All of one mind" This means
unity of thought and feeling. Chris
tians being united to the one Lord
Jesus Christ, animated by the one
Holy Spirit and governed by the one
Book, the Holy Scriptures, will inev-
itably come into possession Of like
mindedness.
b. Having compassion one of an
other" This means more than SYM
pathy in times of sorrow. 1t means
the sharing of joys as well as sorrows.
c. Love as brethren" Being of the
one family, common affection should
dominate It's members.
d. "Be pitiful." This means tender
heartedness, expressing itself In SYM
patty toward the helpless and needy.
e. "Be courteous" This means
friendliness, Christian politeness.
2. Toward the world wv. 9-11).
a. mot rendering evil for evil" Pos
litively expressed, this means doing
good for evil The natural man rem
ders evil for evil. The believer has
been called thus to manifest the spirit
of Christ.
D.! b. "Eschew evil and do good" ".
~. This means to shun or turn away
from evil. 1t means the bending away
from ones course at the approach Of
evil and the positive doing of good.
C. Seek peace, and ensue it," It
Is not enough for a believer to refrain
from conflict. He must bend every
energy in the direction Of peace.
n. Incentives to Christian Living
wv. 12-14.
l. 1.-THE eyes of the Lord are over
the righteous, ard his ears are open
unto their prayers" ". 12). God not
only takes account Of their efforts to
iive righteously, but his ears are open
to hear their cries for help.
2. 1.-THE face of the Lord is against
them that do evil" ". 12). God will
surely visit in judgment those who de-
part from the way Of right living.
8. God will protect and keep those
who will bend their energies to the do
ing of good ". 13).
4. Happiness in suffering ". 14.
This means the suffering which re-
suits from the pursuing Of the ways Of
Righteousness.
III. How the Christian Life Can Be
Lived wv. Is, 16).
1t cannot be lived in the power of
human strength. A divine dynamic Is
provided.
1. "Sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts ". 15). The Revised Version
says, "Sanctify Christ as Lord" en-
throne Jesus Christ as the Lord of
life.
2. Be ready to give a reason for
your hope (v. 15). A Christian should
have an understanding Of his faith,
such as to give a reason to the In
uuirer. The Christians faith rests
upon the highest reason.
8. Live a conscientious life ". 16).
Ones life should be so lived that the
consciousness that actions are con-
sistent before God and man is possible.
Such a life will put to shame evil men
who falsely accuse and despitefully
use the believer.
~. The Issue of the Christian Life
wv. II, 49,.
Christ said to the disciples that
they would receive the same treatment
that the world accorded him. Paul
says, "All that will live cody in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution" (u
Tim. 3:12). If God wills that we suf-
fer for well doing, let us rejoice, look