The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-06-22

e:Ss.
The church is worldwide in its
ministry. Its first experiences Of
both advance and attack were in
Jerusalem, but in due time the Lord
pressed Its members out into the
Gentle world to preach the gospel.
These believers had to meet the
challenge Of a pagan world, rich,
powerful, and stepped In age-old
PHILOSOPHERS which ran counter to
the teaching Of Jesus Christ.
The story Of how the church met
that situation and came through VIC
torious is one Of the most thrilling
and important sections Of world his
tory. We catch but few glimpses Of
that time in the writings of Paul and
Peter which make up our lesson to-
day, but even those are full of in
struction and inspiration. The church
| appears here as 1t went on:
/. Fighting the Good Fight Of
Faith Il Tim. 6:11-16).
| In the letter to Timothy, the Holy
Spirit used Paul to instruct the
early church regarding its life in
the midst OF an unbelieving world.
In the verses Immediately preced-
ing our lesson we find a solemn
warning against the wrong attitude
OF heart toward worldly possessions
Goodness with contentment" Is de-
clared to be great gain.
| But there is more to Christianity
than inward grace, for that must
show itself in daily fighting "the
good fight of faith" That is done in
three ways:
l. BY godly living ". ~. Be-
levers are to flee those things
which hinder spiritual progress, and
give themselves to the cultivation
of graces Of a true Christian life.
Space does not permit discussion
of these fine virtues of the faithful
follower of Christ, but note how tre-
mendously effective they could be
Eyes, and are today against pagan
ism. 1t is so true that the best argu-
ment for Christianity is Christian.
but he must be a real one.
2. In holy warfare ". 12). Living
for Christ is not, accomplished by
sitting in spiritual rocking chair
while the enemy is on the attack.
No indeed. There is a good fight to
be waged, both personally and as a
body of believers.
"The Son Of God goes forth to
war" against evil in our day. "Who
follows in His train?" Thank God,
there are those who are on the
battle line for God, but they need
reinforcements. Who will volunteer
today?
8. With blessed expectation (vv.
1870. The soldier is ready to bear
the blood, sweat, and tears" Of
deadly conflict because he looks
for victory. The soldier of Christ has
a sure hope, for he follows Jesus
Christ, already victorious over
death, and one day soon to appear
again as King Of kings and Lord Of
lords.
In view of that expectation, the
Christian is to live a consistent,
clean and irreproachable life. And
why not? If we look for the glori-
Gus and blessed and only Potentate,
should we not be ready?
III. Meeting the Fiery Trial Of Per-
secution Il Pet. 4:12-16).
As Peter comforted the sorely
tried believers in the early church,
he urged them to meet their perse-
| cutionS.:
/. Without confusion ". 12). We
should expect trials in this world;
yes, severe, fiery trials. Such things
are common to all mankind, and the
Christian should not expect to
escape.
To them, such trials are real
tests of their faith, an opportunity
to show to the unbeleving world
that God is able to deliver those
who put their trust In Him!
To be forewarned is to be fore
armed. "Think it not strange con-
corning the fiery trial"
2. With exceeding joy WV. 1915.
The believer is not to be ashamed
Of the troubles he bears for Christ's
sake. A glory rests upon the one
who is privileged to be a SPAR
taker Of Christ's suffering" ". 14)
as he stands with Him who was "a
man Of sorrows and acquainted with
grief lisa. $3.50. @
| Note that the believer is not to do
anything which would justify others
in making him suffer. It is a dis
grace, a shame, which Injuries the
cause of Christ, when a believer has
to suffer because he has broken the
law, or because he is "a busybody
(R. v. "meddler") in other mems
matters"
g.. For the glory of God ". 16)s
The entire life of the believer
should be lived for Gods glory. If,
then, he is called to pass through
trials or to be prosecuted for his
faith, that, too, is something to be
so borne as to glorify God.
The follower of Christ does not
hang his head in shame as the diff
culties Of life come upon him. He