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ner that w ill silence the ignorance of foolish men. Hence, the Christian w ill always render honor and respect to “the pow ers that be,” while at the same time exercising his spiritual privileges; he w ill “honor all men” because they are in the image of God; he will “love the brotherhood” of those who are in Christ Jesus; he will “fear God” as be ing supreme over all; he will “ honor the king” as being ordained by God. III. • S e r v an ts (1.8-25) Being a Christian does not give one freedom from the responsibilities of earthly living. An -employee Should strive to take unjust treatment with patience. The great example of pa tient acceptance of unjust treatment is the manner in which our Lord ac cepted it.- Christians are to have His example before, them always. Indeed this is, as far as direct instruction is concerned, the only relationship in which our Lord is said to be an ex ample for believers.
BLACKBOARD LESSON
inces here mentioned. They were widely scattered 'among Gentiles, and while they were addressed as Jews, nevertheless they were Christians, as the Epistle clearly reveal's. Being ad dressed to Christians, Peter’s Epistles are for the use and instruction o f all saints everywhere. However scattered they may have been from one another, and however little known to one another, they were neither scattered nor unknown to God.- Before God they were all just one body, and each member was known to Him. Christians, Jews or Gentiles, are all one body; there is a bond of union among them that is inviolate. 'This fact should cause all of us to be deeply touched by the persecutions that befall the brethren, especially the Jews, in some countries today. While nations may, and do, depart from God, and deride those who still believe in Christ, in all lands there are individual Christians who may be said to be “scattered” abroad. II. S tr ang er s (2:11-17) Christians are not only “ scattered” but are also “ strangers” and “ pil grims.” They are “strangers,” being under another sovereignty, even heav en’s. They are a people whose real home is elsewhere, and their present place, no matter where they may be on earth, is “strange” to them and
they to it. They are “spiritual aliens,” and hence they are “pilgrims” en route to their true home. As “strangers” they are menaced by worldly lusts, or desires, t h a t war against the soul. Pursuits that engage the,full attention of the people of the world will press for .the full attention of the Christian, and unless constant watchfulness is exercised, the believer may yield to the pressure. These pur suits may not be evil in themselves, but when put in the first place in the life, they war against the soul. But, while guarding well against. such injury to the soul, the “stran gers” and “ pilgrims” must never for- gpt that they are still on eajth, and still subject to the earthly government under which they may be living, for God has so ordained. Being made free in Christ from all restrictions of men, they must use that freedom in a man
The encouragement for'this kind of living lies ip the fact that all sins, past, present, and future, were put upon Christ and taken away by Him on'the cross, for all-who will accept Him. Now Christians have a Shep herd and Bishop of their souls—a Shepherd, who provides for every need, I T D G E T Y O U R P L A N S Looking A head To A V aca tion
OF SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT, OF IN S P IR A T IO N , AND OF CH R IS T IA N F E L L O W S H I P v SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL at THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES OFFERS BIBLE and MUSIC COURSES — FULL INSTITUTE CREDIT — REGULAR DAY SCHOOL FACULTY A SIX WEEKS' COURSE, June 21 to July 30, 1943 Watch for details given in the next issue of
• Student • Teacher • Pastor • Missionary • Christian Worker
THE KING’S BUSINESS — NO TUITION C H A R G E - WRITE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR The Bible Institute of Los Angeles INCORPORATED 558 SOUTH HOPE STREET LOS ANGELES, CALIF
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