The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-12-07
THE CHRISTIANS PLACE IN
THE LIFE OF HIS NATION
Temperance LessOn)

Temperance Lesson)
LESSON TEXT: Matt. s:l3-1s. 4s.4e; I
Peter 2:13.I7.
GOLDEN TEXT: Blessed is the nation
whose God II the Lord.-Psalm 33:12.
Men make UP nations. Human be-
ings in land like ours determine
by their Interests and attitudes the
direction in which the entire social
order moves. That in turn deter
mines what kind of government we
have.
II the totalitarian PHILOSOPHERS
have colored our thinking and
caused us to forget the importance
Of the individual in the life Of our
nation, let US turn, at once to the
right view.
Particularly important is the bear
ing which individual Christians can
and should have on our national life.
We have tended to draw back and
fail to use the power and position
which we have by Gods grace.
Nowhere does that show more
than In our failure (perhaps one
should say shameful failureD to
bring Christian principles to bear
upon the appalling liquor problem.
This is temperance Sunday. Do not
fail to stress that phase Of Christian
citizenship today.
How should Christians make their
influence felt in the nation? BY be-
ing what they ought to be and con-
tributing to its life. Note these
things in our lesson-the Christian
gives:
I. Salt (Matt. 5:13).
We are the salt of the earth, and
the pungant SAVIOR of Christ is to be
evident in us as we touch life round
about us-in the church, in the
home, and in the nation.
True salt is antiseptic and purify
ing. It fights corruption wherever
it is found. How effective the spir-
itually salty Christian and church
should be against the corrupt polit-
ical system, the liquor industry, vice
and sin of all kinds. Have we lost
our SAVIOR ". 13)?
III. Light (Matt. 5:14-16).
A light is intended to give illumi-
nation to all round about it. It al
ways does unless someone hides it
under cover, and then it becomes
not only useless but dangerous.
A life lighted by faith in Christ
will shine to the very ends of the
earth and, as missionary once
said, "The light that shines farthest
shines brightest at home"
We are the light Of the world, but
If we cover our light we deny the
very essence of our natures. Here
is no thought of proud or selfish dis
play. Light does not shout about
itself, it just shines.
Who will deny that there is need
Of some real spiritual light in some
of the dark corners of our national
life? Who is to shine in such places
but you and me, fellow-believer?
Then, too, let us not forget that
God has sent us out to light other
lights. We can best serve our ma
ton, and best meet the challenge
of liquor by turning men to Christ.
That doesn't mean that we should
neglect other "good works." but it
is well to keep first things first"
iii. Love (Matt. 5:43-48).
''Love your enemies" ". ~; that
is the standard which Christ has
established for His followers. While
the love one has for the brethren is
without doubt a more intimate re-
lationship than the love one may
have for an enemy, we must not
seek to minimize the real love we
should have even for those who
curse and revile us.
It is to move us so deeply that we
not only treat them kindly, but also
pray for them. Humanity speaking
such thing is impossible, but in
Christ it Is not only possible, it has
actually been demonstrated in life.
It is SO easy for Christians to
speak with derision that borders on
hatred about "the devils gang" and
to lose all love for the crowd that
hangs around the tavern and the
gambling house. Let us hate their
sin, but may God help us to show
that we really love them.
Love will do more to reach the
world for Christ, and more to direct
our national life into right channels
than any other influence we can
bring to bear. Let us do all we can,
but let us do it all in love.
~. Loyalty Il Pet. 2:13-17).
The loyalty Of the Christian to
right authority should be glad and
free, not by necessity or by CO.
ercion.
The believer will see in all men
the image Of God and will honor
them even though he may not be
able to respect or approve their way
Of life. The dignity and position Of
the individual is always recognized
by Christianity.
The brotherhood of true believers
should call forth a peculiar love. We
need to renew that brotherly affec-