The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-05-28

LESSON TEXT Peter IL: 2:1l-25.
GOLDEN TExT-Honor all men. Love
The brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the
ling.[ Peter 2;1v.
Persecution for Christ's sake has
been the lot of believers from the
first century down to 1913. Some
times 1t has been official, but more
often unofficial, yet nonetheless Sc
we're and trying.
The manner in which Christians
face their difficulties is one of the
best testimonies to the reality OF
their professed faith. Sometimes,
however, in the midst Of their trials
the enemy of their souls brings dis
couragement-and then they need
the counsel and encouragement Of
others.
8 Such was the situation when Peter
addressed his first epistle to the
early believers who were scattered
abroad (1:D. His counsel was just
what they needed, and is equally
helpful to us. They were to be
I. Separated AS Pilgrims (1:1;
Ell, 12).
Christians are in this world but
not of it. They are passing through,
wayfarers on their way to the eter-
nal dwelling place of God. That does
nat. mean that they are not inter-
estedsin the welfare Of those round
about them, or delinquent in shar-
ing the responsibilities Of life, but
1t does mean that they are to have
the pilgrims detachment from the
things Of the world and the aesh.
In the days Of Peter, membership
In the church was not considered
normal or respectable thing. It
marked a person as belonging to
hated sect, one which was falsely
accused Of many evil deeds. For
example, Christians met at night,
men and women together for COM
xnunion service. Because they spoke
Of this as ''love feast" they were
accused Of immortality, and because
they spoke of the body and blood Of
Christ they were said to be eaters
ofshuman flesh. la
Christians must meet such ma
Hcioas reports. How? BY silencing
their accusers' by their good works.
II. Submissive As Citizens l2:13-
49,.
One Of the hallmarks Of Christian
character is willing and gracious
recognition of proper authority,
whether it be in the state, in the
place of employment, in the school,
or in the home. He does this for
the Lords sake ". 13), and even
when that authority is in the hands
Of an unreasonable man.
This does not mean that the Chris
tian is to encourage or countenance
tyranny andsoppression, but that he
is loyal to the state and to his en-
ployer, even though the present rep
Tesentative be hard, unjust man.
In, all well ordered society there
win be proper and effective means
to correct injustice. But in and
through it all the Christian shows his
faith by his behavior.
Observe that government, in the
plan Of God, is for the purpose Of
keeping order. encouraging the
good, and Furnishing the evil wv.
10, 14). The powerful influence Of
the Christian Church should keep it
in that, right channel or bring it.
back ifit has strayed. Always loyal
and obedient, the believer should
use, his ballet and his personal in
f1rence to establish and support
goSd government.
m. Suffering AS Christians e:
1926. sla al
Christ is our example" ". 21).
Since, some have interpreted this
word and the statement 'sthat We
should follow in his steps" as in
dicating that we are saved by our
imitation of Christ, it is well to
point out that this would be quite
impossible. We would have to be-
gin where He began-He was with
outs;sin ". 22D. But we have all
"sinned and come short Of the glory
of God (Rom.' 1929. We need
Saviour-not an example as far as
redemption is concerned.
In the ever present problem Of
suffering, we as redeemed ones do
have Christ as cur example. He
who was sinless and without fault
botegthe shame and suffering of
Calvary awithout complaint. When
HeaWas reuiled He did not retaliate,
whenaNegWas hurt He did not threat
enEeVengertv 2S), but was will
ing tos leave the iultimate judgment
in the hands Of God iIwho win have
the final word,d saw ena ~ fs4.
Wenughtlto dosthe same when we
suffer for2 Christssi sake. II we ssf-
fen because of our own .sinfo folly,
weslnan Jclailn noacredit for bearing
II patiently aly.a20)s But when we
have done well and then are per-
seputed gWeHheve opportunity to
show whether our profession Of be-
ineS followers Of Christ really means
anything. At this point some Chris
tians lose their testimony and inilu-
ence BY q bitter, yepgefM spirit.