The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1942-10-15

Jesus Christ.-II Peter 3:18.
Growth is a normal thing. We
expect it of the child, and when it
fails we know that something is
wrong. Just so there is something
very decidedly wrong in the life of
the Christian who fails to grow in
grace. If a child fails to grow we
are alarmed, but if a Christian does
not grow we hardly notice it, or at
most only express our regret. We
need a revival.
j. Normal Children Will Grew
duke 2:40-52)
While Christ was God manifest in
the flesh, He was at the same time
true man, and as boy He devel-
oped and grew in a normal way.
Unless we meet the tragedy of ar
rested development we need have
no concern about the fact that a
child will grow physically, mentally
and spiritually. The Lord has
placed in the babe in mothers
arms the potential qualities of the
man or woman to come. Our chief
responsibility is to provide the op-
portunity for the development of
those abilities and qualities which
the child has, and of guiding that
growth in the right direction.
That is all parent has to do, but
it is enough to call for all the wis
dom, judgment, patience and skill of
the best of US. Yes, and even that
is not enough, we need the wisdom
of God and His grace upon our lives
to do this vital work as we ought.
The qualities in a boy or girl
which will count gloriously for God
may be dreadfully effective for
Satan if we permit him to get con-
troll of our children. May God help
us to be alert and skillful in rearing
our boys and girls.
While it is true that we can do
more for the guidance of physical
and mental growth than spiritual
(because that is a matter of the
grace of God, we can lead the steps
of the little child to the house of
God; we can teach him to pray
and to trust God, and we can set an
example of godly living before him.
That is all we can do; but again we
say. it is enough to demand our best
effort and more.
ii. Normal Christians Will Grow
III Pet 1:1-8).
In Christ there are "al things that
pertain unto life and godliness."
There is no need of some added ex-
perience, or some new and striking
enducement, for all the unbelievably
great possibilities of Christian grace
and growth are in Him. We need
only to recognize that fact and yield
to Him, and there will be the full
development of Christian life and
experience.
We have, in practice, so far de-
parted from the normal in Christian
life that we can hardly believe that
the above is true. In place of the
normal Christian life according to
Gods standard, we have established
a standard based on the average
Christian life. If we equal it we
are satisfied, and if perchanCe we
surpass it we count ourselves among
the "more SPIRITUAL ones. And all
the time the average standard is
far below the normal Christian life
which God not only expects, but is
ready to enable and empower US to
live.
Peter tells US in this passage that
the great and precious promises of
God in Christ are not only to enable
us to escape the corruption of this
sinful world, but to go on to place
where we will neither be barren
nor unfruitful'' Christians. How will
this come about? Verses ST tell US.
Faith supplies in itself (rather
than add to-" V. 81, if there is
diligence" Chat is, true Christian
devotion), a number of other SPLEEN
did qualities. First comes virtue"
really moral courage, or nobility
of character. What fine step for
ward Then comes knowledge. I"
that is, discernment which will
give practical skill in effective daily
living for Christ. Such spiritual dis
cernment will naturally lead to
"self-contror something much
needed by most Christians.
The self-controlled one will always
have patience, that is, the en-
durance to stand every hardship and
trial. We need to be more patient
not only with others, but also with
ourselves, even in this matter OF
Christian growth of which we are
speaking.
A life like that is life of "godli-
ness" which will blossom out into
real "brotherly kindness" There
isn't too much of that in the world
today, even among Christians. Let's
revive it! Then what? The one
who loves his brother will love the
whole world CHARITY, in V, 8, should
read '1ove'D. Why not? Are we
not all brethren, who know Christ,
regardless of race, position or
creed?
Let such virtues abound" ". g.,
and no Christian life will lack in
rich fruitfulness for God in Christ.
If Christian people would let the new
life within them grow, it would sur
prise us and them what God would
do through them for His own glory.
The Senate disregarded a direct APP
peal of the President and voted to con
tinue social security pay roll taxes a