THÈ K I N G ’S BUS I NES S replied, “Where the laws are more re garded than the orators.” But Solon said, “Where an injury done to the meanest subject is an insult upon the whole constitution.” Combine these all, behold them all, more than met, in the government of God. -Bible Illustration.—Paul in Acts 23: '27 was saved from the wicked hands of the murderous Jews because he was a Roman citizen. “This man (Paul) was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.” But Paul speaks of a much higher citizenship in Phil. 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation.”. This de liverance because we are heavenly sub jects is greater than that of Paul’s. Citizenship Means Liberty.—Lawless ness, license is not liberty. True free dom is found only in obedience to proper restraint.. A river finds liberty to flow, only between banks; without these it would only spread out into slimy, stagnant pools. Planets, uncon trolled by law, would only bring wreck to themselves and the universe. The same law which fences us in, 'fences others out. The restraints which regu late our liberty also insure and pro tect it. I put out my arm, I have liberty to put it out as far as my neigh bor’s nose. My liberty stops the mo ment I harm or hinder my neighbor. Great Citizenship.—We Americans prize our citizenship as did Paul his Roman citizenship. But how much higher is the heavenly citizenship! “The meanest weed that has life, rises far above the richest gem in a monarch’s crown. The meanest insect rises far above the noblest tree upon the hill side. The meanest child is far above the most splendid animal. The mean est intellectual life is far above the most magnificent forms of animal great-
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Our love for God can only find its outlet through human channels. (1 John 4:20, 21). ”If a man say I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? , And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.” It is when the indwelling Holy Spirit, who imparts the life of Christ to us, has His way and sway through our lives, that the second commandment can be kept. The righteousness of the law being kept in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. The living out of this law of love to God and love to man, found its full expression in Jesus Christ, and must find its expression in us in our attitude toward our fellow men. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) The enemies of Christ were com pelled to testify to His truth. (2) We render unto Caesar when we register our vote. (3) Unless you perform your citizen’s part, don’t criticize. (4) True love for God has always been tested by our love for men. (5) We only need to know God in Christ in order to love Him, (6) OUr love must be “all in all, or not at all.” (7) Lo.ve of God in our hearts com pels lové for the unlovely. (8) Love separates us from the selfish ness of our nature. m Subject Illustration.—What is the ideal government? This was the ques tion asked at the court of Periander of Corinth, and seven sages gave their r e s p e c t i v e an- LESSON swers. Bias said, ILLUSTRATIONS “Where the law W. H. Pike has no superior.” Thales, “W h e r e the citizens are neither too ricji or too poor.” Anacharies replied, “Where vir tue is honored and vice is detested.” -Cleobulus,i “Where the subjects fear guilt more than punishment.” Chile
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