The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1946-07-26
JESUS AND REVERENCE
FOR SPIRITUAL VALUES


LESSON TExT-Exodus 2U:7: Leviticus
MEMORY SELECTTON-But seek we first
the kingdom of God and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto
yoa.-Matthew 6:33.
Reverence is not an Incidental
thing which we may or may not
choose to have in our lives. It is
vital. Reverence toward God and
the things of God will result in re-
spect for all values in life. 1t will
balance our thinking, speaking, and
our acting toward our fellow men
as well as toward our God. Our
lesson calls for
/. Reverence in Worship (Exod.
20:7; Lev. 1912.
The Lord rightfully expects from
us a proper attitude toward him.
If we worship him as we should, we
shall find that other matters fall
into their proper relationships.
Essential in true worship is rev.
erence for the name of the Lord, for
that name stands for all the qualities
and characteristics of God. This
means that there must be no taking
of the name of the Lord Gin vain"
Our use of the word "vain" car
ries the meaning of useless, with
out purpose or meaning" This is
part of what is in mind in this COM
mandment, for the name of Je-
hovah is sacred and is to be rev.
erenced as standing for the eternal
God.
It is ne yer to be used carelessly,
or for a frivolous purpose. All too
often we tell jokes or stories which
have no real purpose or meaning ex-
cept to elicit laugh, and in them
we use the name of God. We all
need to exercise care at that point.
The Hebrew word translated
"vain'' has the additional meaning
of "eviI' and "falsehood. Men are
so bold that they may even use the
name of God to support themselves
in a lie. God hears and will in no
wise hold them guiltless.
III. Reverence in Words (Matt. S:
$3.50.
The Sermon on the Mount ESQ
called), from which this portion Of
Scripture is taken, is difficult to in
terpret to the satisfaction of all.
Some disregard it's evident applica-
ton to the kingdom and, attempting
to apply it in the midst of an I'M
godv generation, fall into such in
consistency that they abandon the
effort and regard the teaching of the
passage as impossible idealism.
Others, who rightly interpret the
passage as presenting the laws and
principles of life in the kingdom of
God, when it shall be fully set up
on earth with Jesus as King, fail to
make any application of those prin-
ciples to life. This is also an I'M
fortunate error.
We who follow the Lord Jesus are
not to swear by either things sa-
cred or things that might be called
secular. Perhaps he has in mind
that our lives should be so true that
men will not need to have any kind
of oath to be assured of our sin
certify and honesty. ...,-...
Swearing should be entirely be-
yond the pale with Christian men
and women. It is all too common
with both men and women. One
fears that this is true not only in
the world, but among protested be-
levers in Christ. Let us stop it!
Hi. Reverence i'm Works mark
1859.
Words which do not issue in works
are worse than meaningless. They
lead to acceptance Of formal re-
Hgious system which is dangerous.
1T gives sense of religious sat-
isfaction which is very superficial,
but of some apparent value. 1t car
ries with it no high ethical demands.
1t helps man to feel religious with
out being either ethical or moral.
1t does not probe or arouse. It
soothes and Gains" wv. r. White).
Who will deny that much of the
church life of our day has reached
that same sad state of "much ado
about nothing"-talk, talk, talk, and
Ao AOiiSSt ulSPOSltlUu 10 u0dl Win
sin, or to seek holiness of life. The
Lord hates it, and it is vain exer-
else as far as spiritual results are
concerned.
Nv. Reverence in Will mark 8:
34-36).
Here true reverence shows itself
In recognizing that Gods will is
good and acceptable and perfect
(Rom. 12:D.
Following the Christ of Calvary
calls for a willingness to say no
to self Literally, to deny any con-
nection with self-life) and to follow
through with him on the path of
shame and crucifixion. No self
will and no compromise are per-
missible to Christ's disciples.
Foolishly to attempt to hold ones
life for self is to lose it. That pain
full loss has left brokenhearted,
wrecked lives all along the path of
mans history. But why should
anyone. do it?
Equally foolish is the one who