The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-11-29

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TOR the kingdom Of God.-Luke s:62
Weakened, watered-out, and
"sickly" religious PHILOSOPHERS and
activities have no right to call them
selves Christian. Following Christ
Is not just sweet sentimental i'm
pulse expressed in smooth words
and formal religious exercises. It
IS vital. virile. sacrificial faith
which leads the true follower of
Christ to be willing not only to die
for Him, but also to live for Him
In the face of opposition, hatred,
yes. through peril, toll and pain"
Let us put away these insipid i'm
ltations OF Christianity which SO
often masquerade under its name
and face our time with a call to
discipleship which demands every
hne, noble, manly and womanly
quality. The lesson for today re-
veals that following Jesus (and
please remember you are not ready
to live for Him until you have been
born again) calls for
l. Cooperation wv. 40, SOY.
| The placing of the little child in
their midst wv. 46-48) and Jesus
words concerning true greatness re-
vealed to John that he had been
wrong in condemning the one who
was working for Christ but who was
not OF their party. The true disciple
recognizes that the man who truly
loves and serves Christ is to be &C
cepted in His name.
III. Humility (vv. 51-53).
Gross discourtesy, evidently in
spired by national hatred (the Jews
and Samaritans had no dealings
with each other), was shown toward
the Lord Himself. His reaction
gives us an example of humility, for
He said not word against them.
The true follower of Jesus should
expect such treatment from a hos
tile, devil-inspired world and emu
late his master by showing love and
iii. Patience wv. 54-56).
The disciples wanted to show their
power and authority by bringing the
fires of destruction upon the enemies
OF Christ. That spirit has persisted
in the church, the desire to call the
fires Of heaven (and possibly of hell)
to destroy those who hinder or op-
pose US. Such is not the spirit of
our God and His Christ, for He is
"long-suffering to us-ward, not will
ing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance"
Nv. Sacrifice wv. 81, 58).
The writer dislikes to use the
word sacrifice" in connection with
our life and service for Christ, for
In reality we sacrifice nothing which
is not more than replaced (read
Matt. 1929. But at the same time
it is true that God does call upon us
as Christians to hold nothing dearer
than our devotion to Him.
Following Christ is more than
singing glibly or carelessly, "I'll 60
where you want me to go, dear
Lord" The one who starts out with
Him Is to count the cost duke IA:
1889. He must expect the same
treatment as Christ Oh Tim. 3:12)
and be willing to take it gladly John
1920; Pet. 2:2I. We ought to
make this plain to professed believ-
ers. Tell young people the truth
and you will see that they are ready
to respond to it. They are willing
to give themselves Specifically for
causes Of this earth-why not for
Christ?
v. Devotion wv. $500.
1t has been said that Christ Il
either Lord of all or He is not Lord
at all. Even the demands which
love may present on behalf Of our
aged father must not be permitted
to stand between the Lord and His
disciple.
Christianity is considerate and
courteous, and our Lord is not here
suggesting any neglect of the duties
or amenities of life. The point Is
rather that the Lord must have first
place whatever else may call for
second thought.
The blight on the life and service
of most Christians is that almost
anything and everything else is al
lowed to take first place and the Lord
must be satisfied with second or
third place. Sometimes one won
ders If He is given any real place
at all in some lives.
No one who puts his hand to the
plough in Gods Kingdom and then
wants to defer following through UNI
til a more convenient season, or who
wants to go back to Ibid farewell"
to someone who for the moment is
more important than the Lord, is At
for His service. The way of joy and
usefulness is the way Of full and
unconditional yielding to Him.
Survival Of the uoOu
The righteous also shall hold on
his way, and he that hath clean
hands shall be stronger and strong
er.-Job 1879.