January, 1937
THE K I NG ' S BUS I NESS
28
N O T E S on Christian Endeavor By MARY G . GOODNER
liever. At the time to which reference is made, the greatest human statesman, law giver, and leader the world has ever known had just died. But the Lord declared that the occasion of Moses’ passing, instead of being a time for discouragement and defeat to the children of Israel, should witness advance. T o Joshua, Moses’ successor, He gave the command and promise: “ Arise, go over this Jordan . . . as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” The children of Israel were entering a land inhabited by giants, where they had to fight for occupancy of the region given them by the Lord. The most powerful “weapon” with which the Lord’s people could be equipped was the Word of God, which is called, in the New Testament, “the sword of the Spirit.” The Lord of hosts gave command to Israel’s captain in these words: “ This book of the law shall not de part out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein.” Thus three conditions for blessing were enunciated: first, knowl edge of the Word, “ The law shall not de part out of thy mouth” ; second, meditation on the Word, “Thou shalt meditate therein day and night” ; third, obedience to the Word, “ Thou mayest observe to do accord ing to all that is written therein.” A twofold promise was given with these conditions: “ Then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” The fulfillment of that promise rested upon obedience to the preceding com mandments. These words parallel those of our Lord when He said: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). Like Israel, Christians today are con fronted with many foes, but the Word of God is still the best weapon in the “ good fight of faith.” Not only is the Bible the “ sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17), but it is also a “ lamp” (Psa. 119:105), a medi cine (cf. Psa. 119:25), a mirror (cf. Jas. 1:23-25), a laver (cf. Eph. 5:26, 27), a “ fire” (Jer. 23:29), “ honey and the honey comb” (Psa. 19:10), a scalpel (Heb. 4:12), and the seed of life (cf. Jas. 1:18). Thus abundantly has God provided for all our needs in this one wonderful Book. It is no marvel that Jeremiah said: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jer. 15:16). Such is the testimony of every believer, who rests his faith on the Word of God. Helps fo r the Leader I. T aking the B ible into O ne ’ s L ife 1. Two sisters, absent from each other for
forth, reemphasizing Christ’s declaration, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.” Steadfastness in God’s way, Paul says, is the means of bringing others to accept Christ as Saviour.
FEBRUARY 7, 1937 ■ CHRISTIAN YOUTH FACE THE FUTURE TOGETHER 1 T imothy 4:9-16 Meditation on the Lesson Everywhere-in college, business, profes sional, athletic, and religious circles-youth occupies a prominent position today. There is a freshness, a magnetism, a charm, a peculiar fascination about the young. But many young people face one of two dangers: self-opinionation, the result of overemphasis of the importance of youth in modern life, or discouragement, due to lack of well-founded confidence. It was doubt less the 'latter peril that Paul had in mind when he gave to Timothy, his son in the gospel, an exhortation which every Chris tian young person should heed: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou example of the believers, in word in con versation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, m PUIn what respects are we to be examples? Paul names six ways in which belief in Christ can be revealed: First, “ in word the young believer can be exemplary: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6). Second, “ in conver sation,” or rather “ conduct,” he may have a high motive: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of. the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). Thus a true believer should net transgress with his lips, or dis honor by his acts. Third, “ in love (R. V.) he can show his badge of discipleship: “ Above all things be fervent in your love among yourselves” (1 Pet. 4:8, R. V.)- Fourth, “ in spirit” the disciple will reveal his faith: “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5),.thus demonstrating His life to the world. Fifth, “ in faith” he will be steadfast: “ Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) as a loyal soldier of the Captain of our salva tion. Sixth, “ in purity” he will direct his thoughts: “Whatsoever things are . . . pure, . . . think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). What high ideals are these for youth! Hence, our text is a code of conduct for the Christian youth who desires to be an example of what Christ’s power can ac complish. The fundamental and basic force of such godliness is dependent upon the counsel which follows the rules: “ Give at tendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” The Word of God is the source and sustenance of Christian virtue; only by knowing its doctrine can we display godly attributes, for doctrine is the root, and life, the fruit. Paul continues by exhorting^ us to “meditate upon these things.” Medita tion upon God’s law results in its trans lation into one’s heart, and then into one’s actions. In conclusion Paul enjoins Timothy to “¿bntinue” in the doctrine which he has set
Helps fo r the Leader I. F aithfulness in Y outh
A striking story is told of a missionary in India who was called to a little out-of- the-way village to baptize and receive into church fellowship more than sixty adult converts from Hinduism. He noticed a boy sitting in a back corner watching and listening very wistfully. Finally he came forward. “What, my boy, do you want to join the church?” “ Yes, sir.” “ But you are very young, and if I were to receive you, and you were to slip aside, it would do injury to the cause of Christ. I shall come again in six months. Be loyal to Jesus during that time, and then, if I find you steadfast and true, I will baptize and receive you gladly.” No sooner was this said than all the people rose to their feet and some, speak ing for the rest, said: “Why, sir, it is he who has taught us all that we know about Jesus Christ.”— -M a y R. S e l l e c k in Forward. II. C hoosing C hrist E arly We are so young! If we should choose today T o loiter on the self-road for a while, What would it matter? Could we hope to cure The old ills of the world, We who are young? This is our playtime, these our days of mirth! (If Thou, O Christ, wouldst turn away Thine eyes!) We are so young! We have a right to play! And yet, above, our willful murmuring Thy voice, O Christ, sounds ever sweet and clear, “ I, too, was young! Oh, if ye will not give Your youth to Me— then I have come again Unto My own—and they receive Me not.” —C atherine M iller . FEBRUARY 14, 1937 H OW MAY THE BIBLE HELP US IN DA ILY L IFE ? J oshua 1:1-8 Meditation on the Lesson
The passage for our meditation contains spiritual iron for the heart of every be
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