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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
January, 1936
The same principle operates in spiritual matters. The right of free will is re spected, and it is open to all to reject the warnings and invitations of the gospel (cf. Matt. 23:37).—A quilla W ebb . III. A L oving S aviour ’ s W arning The loving, the gentle, the sympathetic, the sacrificial Saviour who loved sinning men so that He came to die for them— He calmly, deliberately, over and over again, did teach His disciples in such a way that they at that time, and since then, the great body o f the church, have be lieved that He meant us to understand that there is a future state of punishment, and that it is so great and dreadful a thing that all men should with terrible earnest ness flee from it (cf. Matt. 23:33). —S elected . FEBRUARY 16, 1936 HOW FAR SHOULD AUTHORITY BE RESPECTED? R omans 13:1-8 Meditation on the Lesson The Epistle of Paul to the Romans is a masterpiece of literature. It was Luther’s favorite book. The first eight chapters are peerless in their treatment of the great subjects of justification by faith, predesti nation, election, God’s foreknowledge and the Christian’s security both now and eternally. Chapters 9 to 11 deal with God’s purpose for Israel. Beginning with the twelfth chapter, however, the apostle gives consideration to the practical matters of everyday life, and he gives us positive di rections for Christlike living. In our lesson the question as to the Christian’s duty to the state is set forth. This issue was o f great practical impor tance to the early church. The Jews hated the Romans and felt that Rome was tyran nical and overbearing. Many of the con verts in the city o f Rome were Jewish Christians. With this feeling o f racial pride and resentment in their hearts, and with the new knowledge that they were now “ free from the law” and “under grace,” there might easily arise a tendency toward rebellion against all earthly gov ernment, The Holy Spirit provided through Paul clear instruction on this sub ject. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of G od : the powers that be are ordained of God.” Then the Word further teaches: “For this'cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers , . . Render there fore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Immediately our thoughts fly back to that memorable day in Jesus’ life when the Pharisees endeavored to trap Him by ask ing Him the question, “ Is it awful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” W e recall His reply, “ Bring me a penny . . . Whose is this image and suoerscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. And Jesus an swering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they mar veled at him.” And we, too, marvel. His teachings, like His life, are perfect. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, teaches the same principle. Paul respected and honored the existing government, yet never deviated from his allegiance to his Lord. If any governmental demand seems at variance with the Christian conscience, let the child of God make the issue a mat ter of prayer, in the light o f the Word of
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of them which killed the prophets,” and that they would commit an even greater crime. This passage in Matthew 23:29-32 should be considered in the light of Mat thew 21:33-41, the parable o f the house holder and his vineyard, an illustration which the Lord gave near the beginning of this same discussion with the Jewish lead ers. The husbandmen in the story, after stoning or killing the servants of the owner of the vineyard, at last resisted their lord’s final appeal and killed his son. And to the divine Son of the Lord o f heaven and earth, the leaders of the Jewish nation were purposing to offer a similar rejection. Christ’s lament over Jerusalem is filled with deepest pathos. W e see here, in a most vivid way, the heart of our Saviour—i His love, His tender compassion, and His infinite yearning. “ How often would I have gathered thy children together, . . . and ye would n ot!” What a portrait of a rebel lious w orld! And still today we have a seeking, longing Saviour—and still there is a hardened, stiff-necked people who will not. In America, modern-day prophets o f the living God are not stoned with stones, but other weapons are used against all who faithfully bring God’s revealed message. As “ Christian Endeavorers,” let us “fight the good fight o f faith,” opposing sin, yet loving the sinner with the compassion im parted by the Lord Jesus. Helps for the Leader I. R ejection — “Y e would not !” (Matt, 23:37). In the cathedral of Lubeck, Germany, is the following inscription: Thus speaketh Christ, our Lord, to u s: Ye call me Master, and obey me not; Ye call me Light, and see me n ot; Ye call me Way, and walk me not; ' Ye call me Life, and desire me n ot; Ye call me Wise, and follow me n ot; Ye call me Fair, and love me n ot; Ye call me Rich, and ask me not; Ye call me Eternal, and seek me n ot; Ye call me Gracious, and trust me not; Ye call the Noble, and serve me not; Ye call me Mighty, and honor me n ot; Ye call me Just, and fear me not; I f I condemn you, blame me not. T he R ight to C hoose An action for damages was decided by the Court o f Appeals against the plaintiff in the following case: A man walking down Fourth Avenue, New York, stopped on a temporary bridge to look at work being done in the subway. A workman told him to move on, as he was liable to be hurt. He refused to do so, claiming he had a right to be on a public street. A few moments later, he was struck on the head by a piece of iron that was cut from a pipe. He was severely hurt, and he sued for damages. The decision of the final court was that he was perfectly justified in staying on the bridge after being warned. However, the warning he had received and had not heeded precluded him from getting damages for his injuries. The pre sumption was that he accepted the risk of remaining after the danger had been pointed out to him. The contractor had no right to remove the man by force, and had fully done his duty when he had told him of the peril he was in. —Christian Herald. II.
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