HELPS FOR CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR AND OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE’S GROUPS
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By Chester J. Padgett, Th.M., D.D. Associate Professor of Bible Bible Institute of Los Angeles
Jan. 4, 1953 I PROMISE—TO BE FAITHFUL TO CHRIST Ex. 19:5; Psa. 103:17, 18; Psa. 132:12
We note then that “ the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear [love and obey] him.” The mercy of God is His good ness, or His loving-kindness. The loving kindness of God can be extended in spiritual blessing only to those who will love Him and obey Him. We are also taught that God’s “ right eousness” is the portion of those who keep His covenant and remember His commandments to do them. Righteous ness here means faithfulness in protec tion and care according to His prom ise. God will keep every promise He has made to us; but we must remember that the condition of every blessing is obedi ence. This is true even in the matter of salvation. God saves a man only when He obeys the gospel and receives Jesus Christ as His Saviour (John 3:36, etc.). Faithfulness Is the Condition of Kingdom Blessing Psa. 132:12 This wonderful promise has special reference to David as you will note from reading the entire Psalm, and especially w.10, 11. Throughout the entire Old Testament God promised His people en during blessing if they would obey Him. He promised them the Messiah, the Anointed One, if they would keep His commandments from the heart. But Is rael failed. When God sent His Son into the world His own people rejected Him (John 1:11). In punishment for their sin the entire Jewish nation was scattered throughout the world. But now, in these latter days, God is begin ning to deal in mercy with the Jews. He is drawing them back to Palestine, and there, after a terrible scourging, “ the time of great tribulation” (see Matt. 24:21), the Jews will see Christ coming in glory and will receive Him. When the Lord returns from Heaven and the Jewish nation receives Him as Saviour and King then will be fulfilled the promise of Psalm 132:12 and the other wonderful promises of the Old Testament regarding the Jew (see Zech. 12:10; 13:8,9; Isa. 9:6,7; Luke 1:32). T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
Now be careful! It is never wise to make a rash vow, and especially to God (Eccl. 5:1-6). But this is the time of the year when the desire to enter a more worth-while life comes upon us, and this is good. If you really want to promise the Lord something it seems to me that you could not make a better vow than that you will be faithful to Him. Let us look for a moment at some of the Scriptures that suggest this truth. Faithfulness Is the Mark of Sonship Ex. 19:5 Bead this verse in Exodus. Note how the Lord requires obedience to His Word as the chief mark of His people. Surely it is right to obey the Word of God! It is right because He is God. As God He owns us and we owe everything to Him. The most honest unbeliever is the most dishonest of people because he withholds from God that which is right fully His. Obedience to God is the believer’s good. It pays to serve Jesus! God’s re quirements are given, not only for His glory but for our good. We need to re member this. Every law He has given is designed to lead His people into His fellowship and into the center of His holy will. Again, obedience to the Word of God is the proof of sonship. This is what the text means, “ then ye shall be a peculiar .treasure unto me above all people.” It is not enough for a man to say “ I am a child of God.” The impor tant thing is—does he live like a child of God? Study Matthew 7:21-23 and First John 1:5-2:6 in this connection. Faithfulness Is the Condition of Spiritual Blessing Psa. 103:17, 18 This wonderful Psalm speaks of the Fatherhood of God toward all who love Him and obey Him. The verses we are studying under the present caption teach two great things about God, namely, (1) His mercy is extended to those who are faithful to Him, and (2) His right eousness is extended to the faithful.
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208 E. Willow, Wheaton, III.
T" ÏÏIV -*"4 fr\\ v e r s e s n o « Accurate and Readable . . . “An excellent* accurate translation in delightfully clear and readable modern English, prepared by a well-trained scholar who believes the Gospel.” -'A i —Sunday School Times WILLIAMS ’ NEW TESTAMENT In the Language o f the People Best in Field . . . guage.”— J. Ft. Manley, Professor, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. “We believe most earnest, intelligent students: will welcome this work with thanksgiving.” —Our Hope “Well adapted to devotional reading in the family circle as well as a valuable aid in pri vate Bible study.” — Moody Monthly: “Every young person will especially appre ciate its.clarity and smoothness.” — Youth Today 575 pages, 5% x7% inches At Your Paper b in d in g ........................$1.50 Cloth binding . . . 3.00 Leather • • • 6.95 ; “It is the best transla tion of the New Testa ment in the English Ian- ^
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