The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-06-25
JOHNS COUNSEL TO CHRISTIANS

Council Of Religious Education; used by
JOHNS COUNSEL TO CHRISTIANS
LESSON TExT-n John all; III John
e-l2.
GOLDEN TExT-Beloved, pray that In
al things thou mayest prosper and be in
health: even as thy soul prospereth.- Iii
John 3.
Christians need guidance, especial
ly in their home and church rela-
tionships. The apostle John, under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
wrote the two personal letters known
to us as II and III John. They
abound in sound spiritual, practical
advice. Note that these two words
belong together, for what is truly
spiritual cannot help but be ire
mendeusly practical and perfect for
the direction of thought and life.
In these letters five admirable les
sons are taught. Let us give heed
to them. They are appropriate to
our day.
/. Set an Example Before Your
Children (II John 4-6).
We may not like to admit it, but
our children are largely what we
make them by their training-or
lack Of tin the home. Parents
have the grave and at the same time
precious responsibility of being what
they. want their children to be. We
set the mold of their thinking and
acting, not only about material
things, but mentally and spiritually,
which is far more important.
Above all we must teach them by
precept and example to love God SUI
premely, and to walk after His COM
mandments. Father, mother, have
you done your duty? Are your chill
dren walking in truth ". ~?
III. Be on Guard Against False
Teachers I'll John 7-11).
We are not to countenance false
teaching even by entertaining such
teachers, or having close fellowship
with them. To create the impression
before the world and the Church
that they are mot so bad" by ap-
pearing as their friends, is to par
take of their evil works ". ~. This
is serious matter, and one which is
a problem in the Church today.
Such teachers may easily be rec
ognized. They are aptly described
by DR.. Douglass: SIN all ages the
Church has been plagued by those
who want to substitute something for
pure Christian faith, or to embroider
it with bright ideas of their own con-
ceiving. Such people may try to
strip religion of its supernatural as
pect and reduce it to a merely ra-
tionalistic system. They may seek
to slyly loosen the moral standards
Of the Church because their own lives
are deficient when measured by such
standards. They may try to mini
mize the teaching of the cross be-
cause it stands for sacrifice" Watch
against them, and stand against their
destructive teaching.
iii. Be Diligent in Putting For
ward True Teachers Gil John 5-8).
The door which should be closed
against false teachers should be
opened wide to those who are faith
full teachers of the truth.
This refers primarily to the hos
pitality of the home, and reminds
us Of a grace which has been all but
forgotten in these days of small
apartments.
Whether we are able to open our
homes to Gods servants or not, we
can show Christian spirit of genu-
inc hospitality in helping to bring
them forward ". 81 in their work.
This may be done by gifts of money,
by kindness shown in time of need,
by real interest in their work, by
recommending them to others who
wish to hear the truth.
Do everything possible, then, to
hinder the false teacher, and be just
as diligent to put forward the minis
try Of the true man Of God.
Nv. DO Not Trust Proud, Self
Seeking Leadership CHI John 9-11).
A man may be orthodox, and in
tensely loyal to the denomination,
and at the same time be wicked
man whose example is to be
Stunned. No word is said against
the teaching of Diotrephes. He was
not condemned for being careless
about the affairs of the church, or
unfaithful in his attendance and de-
votion to its interest as he saw them.
The sin of Diotrephes was pride,
q desire to be the boss of the church,
''No. / man" in its affairs. Lacking
the true spirituality which always re-
suits in humility, he opposed the
apostle. Not only did he refuse to
receive him, but used pressure ON
others who were willing to be hos
pitable.
". Emulate the Life Of the Man
Of Good Report CHI John 12).
A good mani No words of praise
could possibly surpass such a testi-
mony. The world is full of brilliant,
skilled, wealthy and prominent peo-
pie, but there is an appalling dearth
Of good men and women.
Hnw refreshing IN ys1aaf and HOW,