Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1942-12-10

of others it is because of ignorance
or lack of contact with the church.
Whatever the reason, the situa
ton should be remedied. Americ
could solve her problems, both
cial and political, by nations
revival of true Christianity. wit
accompanying salvation Of
sands of unconverted. Il we
not have that, let us not "a
have a revival in our own hey
our own churches, our neighN
hoods or communities.
We find in our lesson that thsN
church is
l. A Powerful influence for Moral
Good Matt. 5:13-16).
Salt in the midst Of corruption,
light in a world of unbelievable
darkness-what striking and mean
ingful figures with which to describe
the Christian.
Believers are the salt. Of the
earth" because they draw their sa-
vor rom God Himself The Chr
tan church. by Gods own
ment, is His own powerful az
which preserves the soca
from falling into the moi
which sometimes seems
It should, therefore, be
encouraged by that $,
deserves.
Christians are the
world" and it is the
ture Of light to shine
its surroundings TIL
its brightness, and
its Illumination.
Christians refie
God, and Sd they glordy
name. Brother. is your
ing brightly in this wick
II. A Stabilizing Elem
ciety mark 12:13-17).
The world is in soci;
and our own country ha
of ''isms" and social TIL
ing men to follow, askin
atty, making them Utopia
without foundation.
Alert and intelligent al
are concerned about these
Gus voices. many of which 4
properly suspected Of havii1
poses far from beneficial to
American way of life, or to den1d
racy itself. Yet they dare not o
pose them lest there be the cry Of II
denial of freedom of speech, etc. Et
What can we do to meet them
Here is the answer: Preach Christ
Bring men to saving knowledge Of
Him and to cody way Of living.
For the Christian is directed by
Christ Himself to render unto Gaze
sar the things that are Caesar So
and they do it too, because they
have first rendered ito God the
things that are God 81
iii. A Loyal Example OF Good
Citizenship Il Pet. 2:13-l7).
The highest measure of loyalty TO
country is the Christian standard
here stated. In Romans 13:1-1O we
learn that all authority comes from
God and that the power of rulers
is to be recognized as His gift. That !
means that true rulers will submit
to Him in every detail of their gov
eminent, seeking to know and to do
His will.
However, the Christian gives loyal
obedience to the powers that be-
even though they may not recognize
the source Of their power. This is
subject only to the limitation that
they may not demand that we do
those things that dishonor Gods
name. Since their only real power
to rule comes from Him, they have
no authority to tell anyone to do that
which Is against His holy will. When
that happens. the Higher Authority
takes over and our loyalty must be
to Him. the King of kings. The 4
Christian then will be the best citi-
zen, eager to do what king or coun-
try may ask, in order thus to bear a
good testimony and to close the
mouth Of foolish critics Of the
church.
The history Of our country and Of
other lands reveals the names Of
many illustrious Christian patriots.
and the roll of honor Of those who
loved and served their country wen
in the humble and difficult places,
would bear its hundreds Of thou
sands of names which are found also
on the roll of the church.
Christians, let us be earnest and
intelligent followers of Christ, whose
lives count for moral uprightness.
For God and Country" is the excel
lent motto Of the American Legion,
but it should be more than that; il
should be the purpose Of ever,
/ Christian citizen.
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