February, 1946
SI
and we are in His family. We become brothers and sisters to all others saved by grace, whatever their color and na tionality. We become a part of the Vine, which is Christ; we are the branches. We become members of His body. We become His jewels. We become heirs of God through Christ Jesus. 3. CHRISTIANITY MEANS A NEW RELATIONSHIP TO MEN (John 17:14). Before becoming Christians, we are “of the world.” We are occupied with, and interested only in the things of this life. When we trust Christ, we become citizens of Heaven and are no longer reckoned by God as belonging to this world. Christians are a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9). Our aim is to honor Christ Jesus, to win men to Him from their sins, and to bear in this world a godly testimony which will prove the value and virtue of Christ and His teach ings. We earn our living by honest means. We perform all of the kind nesses we are able to accomplish along the way, but our goal is the glory of God. 4. CHRISTIANITY MEANS A NEW WAY OF LIVING (Tit. 2:10). As Christians, we live a negative life toward the world and a positive life toward God’s plans and purposes. We seek to omit from our lives every kind of sin, evil, wrong-doing, worldliness, and evil-thinking. We seek to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and to live in such a way that we prove in our lives the teachings of the Word of God. We live as children who seek to represent their father wellr We live as flowers in God’s gar den, and not as weeds. We live radiant lives as those who have a good Lord to take care of them. We live with out worldly care, for He carries our burdens. We live active lives because the reward is great and the results are sure. We serve the living Lord with gladness for this is our greatest delight. MARCH 17, 1946 THE OBLIGATIONS OF M Y FAITH Matthew 16:24 The obligations in the Christian life may be compared to the obligations of -a bride to her beloved husband or a child to devoted parents. Love changes duties into privileges. The new life in Christ Jesus must mani fest itself. It is revealed in sponta neous activities which come from the heart without effort. It is the obliga tion of the vine to produce grapes, but it does so very easily. The obligation of the sun is to shine, but it does it beautifully. The obligation of the wife is to serve her family, but she does
so gladly. So the Christo« considers it a privilege to serve his blessed Lord and to promote His glory. This is no more a burden than the weight of wings to the bird. It is a blessed and treasured opportunity. For Those Who Have Topics 1. LOVE FOR THE SAVIOUR (John 21:15). Christ is the One whom Solomon described: “Yea, He is altogether love ly.” How can anyone keep from giv ing Him first place in the heart and the highest place in the life! He is so attractive that millions through the
ber and encouraged the fearful on the »attlefield. *His love is wonderful, "passing the love of w o m e n.” He wants our love. He invites it. He draws it. Those who are in love with Christ serve Him faithfully, f o l l o w Him closely, and speak of Him frequently. He draws and holds by His love, and thrills the messengers whom He sends to tell the story of His love. 2. LOVE FOR THE BIBLE (Psa. 119:97). This is the kind of attitude a lover has toward the letter coming from his lovely companion in the distant city. He waits eagerly for the mes sage. He tears it open quickly. He reads it with avidity. The Bible is God’s love letter to us. It is also God’s textbook for us. The doctor reads his books carefully that he may learn to serve his patients efficiently. The student studies his books thoroughly that he may pass his examinations. It is no burden for the engineer on the train to read his instructions. God’s precious Word is both our teacher and our food. We eat it as a delicious morsel. We rejoice in it as one that finds great spoil. We trust it as a faithful guide. These are not obligations, but normal attitudes. 3. LOVE, FOR THE GOSPEL (Rom. 1 : 1 ) . The Gospel is God’s glad tidings for lost sinners. It is not good service. It is good news about, the Saviour of sinners who gave Himself for us and to us. Those who are saved by grace will long to have others hear this story, that they too may be saved. Those who have been brought to God will have a deep desire for others to be brofight to Him. Those who have no desire for the salvation of the lost probably need to be saved themselves. We owe our Gospel to every person we can reach. Paul said, “We are debtors”—and so we are. We a r j God's stewards in this matter, and should invest His Gospel in hearts every where. This is not "church work”, we are to tell about, but Christ’s work on the Cross for us. 4. LOVE FOR BELIEVERS (1 John 3:23). ’ This love of Christ filling our hearts will make us helpers in all kinds of Christian work. It will enable us to overlook a multitude of sins. It will cause us to spend and be spent on behalf of the people of God every where. It will stir-our hearts to desire good teaching for God’s people. It will make us desire godly shepherds for the sheep of His pasture. It will cause us to give liberally of our money for the comfort and blessing of God’s peo ple everywhere. This love will keep us from being selfish or critical or lazy. To thus love p.ach other is a command ment of God our Saviour.
ITS AW IDEA
Rev. Carlton C. Buck Idea I. For the March 3 meeting, it would be appropriate to have some one give a brief report on Martin Luther and the Reformation, since the topic is “What Is Protestant Christi anity?” Idea 2. In preparation for the March 10 meeting, go to several “shut-in” Christians in your community and get from them brief testimonies as to what Christianity really means to them. These statements should be taken to the meeting and added to other testimonies of the evening. Idea 3. For the devotional period, a Scripture that will fit in well with the topic for the third Sunday in March, is Hebrews 10:19-25. There are two privileges mentioned here: “We have access to the “holiest” and we have a “new and living way,” Jesus. Considering these provisions in Christ for us, “let us draw near, “let us hold fast” “let us consider one another.” Idea 4. For the “Sharing My Faith with Others” meeting, h a v e each member tell what influences helped him to become a Christian. ages have knelt in adoring worship at His feet. His love has drawn to Him the hearts of people of every nation and race. His presence has comforted the broken-hearted in the death cham
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