The Coolidge examiner., 1937-08-12

with all thy soul. and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Matt % 81 80.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Gods Good Laws.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Before the Mount of
God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Why a Nation Needs Laws.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-Basic Laws for a Nations Life.
Basic laws have been laid down
by God for the orderly administra-
ton of his universe. Men see them
clearly in the physical universe, al
though at times they do not recog-
nize the One who created all things.
Physical laws are of great inn
portance, but Of even deeper signi-
ficance are the moral and spiritual
laws which control the human life.
There is in the world a moral law
a distinction between right n d
wrong-which man may ignore only
to his own sorrow, and which he
cannot abrogate or destroy. All laws
of men which are true and right are
founded on this underlying moral
law, and are in reality simply
development and Interpretation Of
Gods Code of Morals Ten
Commandments.
These commandments given to
Israel at Mt. Sinai are worthy of
careful study on the part of every
reader. They may be grouped
under two divisions.
L. A True View of God (vv. LID.
The first and most important
question TO be asked regarding any
law is, BY whom was it estab-
hshed?" Legislation by an un-
authorized person or organization
has no power over others. Who gave
the ten commandments? Verse l
tells us God spake all these
words"
Men sneer at theology as being
out moded. but the fact is that
Christian doctrine is the only safe
foundation for Christian character.
Unless my view of God is right, my
life viii be wrong. Until l know him
/ will not appreciate the authority
of his law.
/. Whom to worship (vv. 2-5).
There can be but one true God. and
he alone is to be worshiped. He is
a personal being. ready to enter
into communion with each one of
us. No image or likeness can take
his place Bowing down before idols,
no matter what they may be called,
is expressly forbidden by God.
2. How to worship (vv. 6, y. We
are to love him and keep his COM
mandments. There is to be no sham
about this, for no matter how sweet
and pious may be the praise and
prayer of a man, he has taken the
Lord's name in vain unless he keeps
the Lords commandments by holy
living.
3. When to worship (vv. BID.
God has ordained that man should
not necessarily bear the burden of
toll He is to have a day Of rest
and time for worhip. undisturbed
by the duties and responsibilities
of daily labor. America needs a
mighty stirring up about the des-
ecration of the Lords day. The stall
warts of the last generation fought
a valiant battle against a rising
tide of seculariSm and worldly
pleasure. Now no one seems to
care. Do you?
ii. A Right Relationship to Man
(vv. 12-lO.
To be right with God means that
we will also be right with our fell
low man. Conversely, the man who
is manifestly wrong in his relation
to his fellow man is either not right
with God at all. or he is not living
out his Christian life in practice.
/. Family life ". 12). The fifth
commandment has to do with the
relation between child and parent
There is a plain and direct COM
mand that father and mother should
be honored. Only in respect and
obedience TO parents can the child
possibly find true and proper de-
velopment.
2. Physical life (vv. l3, 14. God
is interested in our bodies. Already
we have noted his provision for
day of rest each week. Now we
are reminded of the sanctity of hu-
man life. Thou shalt not kill" and
remember there are many other
ways to kill man than by shoot
ing him. DR.. Wilbur M. Smith
makes telling point by reminding
us that we may kill others by sell
ing them tainted food. intoxicat-
ing liquors. or dope" by neglect
of duty, by careless driving, by
failing to provide employees with
sanitary and healthful surroundings.
A solemnizing thought-''thou shalt
not kill"
There is another way that the
body may be destroyed-by its mis-
use in adulterous living.
g. Social life (vv. 15-1O. Thou
shalt not stear'-and remember
any dishonest appropriation of what
does not belong to you is stealing
call it what you will And false
witness it has honey combed
our very civilization. Not a little
Of it is found within the church,
more shame lInnn lISi IaSflv we