MAY 1943
189
had become spiritually weak ,and ill. Almost without exception it was evi dent that their lack of strength was due to an absence of one; two, or all three of the vital essentials for Chris tian growth and strength. There is a distinct similarity in the laws controlling physical growth and health, and those controlling spiritual vigor. One does not become strong by trying to be strong any more than he grows by trying to do so. Rather, if he follows a few simple rules of health, growth and strength will be the inevitable result. This is as true in the spiritual sphere of out exist ence as it is in the physical (Matt. 6:27; cf. v. 33). For Those Who Have Topics I. THE NECESSITY FOR STRENGTH GIVING FOOD. Good food is a vital necessity. There is no substitute for it. The diet must be: 1. A nourishing diet (Jer. 15:16). Jesus is the “bread of, life” (John 6:48, 57). We learn of Him by feeding upon the Word (cf. John 5:39). 2. A ’ well-balanced diet (2 - Tim. 3:16, 17). All items of the diet are “profit able.” Nq church can be strong that fails to preach or live by a whole gospel (2 Tim. 4:2-5). There must be “milk” for growing “babes” (1 Pet. 2:2), and “meat” for strong “men” (Heb. 5:14). M i l k is primarily for growth, while Imeat is for strength. Those who would be strong must have a proper diet (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12- 14). 3. A regular diet (Acts 17:11). * No one can gorge himself with food one day, and starve the next, and e x p e c t to maintain strength. The strength-giving diet is the regular- diet. For the believer there is the regular feeding at church (Heb. 10:25), and a daily assimilation of God’s Word at home (Acts 17:10-12). II. THE NECESSITY FOR STRENGTH- RENEWING BREATHING. Prayer may be likened to the proc ess of breathing, the second requisite
of good health. No one can hold his breath long and live; nor can one breathe nothing but polluted air and survive. No Christian can be strong without a regular rhythm of prayer. Breathing is a two-way process. Prayer should be the same—a dialogue, not a monologue. There are involved: 1. Inhalation (God speaking). Proper inhalation always involves pure air. When God speaks to the waiting heart in prayer, His message is pure, and it contains everything we need (John 16:13). 2. Exhalation (man speaking). This always includes a mixture of two kinds of air. There is pure air, which, in the prayer breath is called praise (Psa. 100:4; Psa. 149), thanks giving (CoL 3:16, 17; Phil. 4:6), and petition' (1 John 5:14, 15). Likewise there is impure air, which, »in the prayer breath, is called confession (1 John 1:9). In the process of breathing, by far the larger part of expired air is pure. Compare the proportions of the two in the Psalms, which are largely prayers. 3. A regular rhythm (1 Thess. 5:17). The physical process of breathing affords an excellent pattern here. One breathes “ without ceasing” (cf. Eph; 6:18i, yet he rests at e a c h breath (Rom. 12:12). III. THE NECESSITY FOR STRENGTH- PERFECTING EXERCISE. A healthy man kept in bed soon would become weak. A strong arm bound to the body for several weeks would, when released, fall helpless at one’s side.. No exercise means no strength. Idleness saps not only the ' mental, moral, and physical vitality, but the spiritual strength as well (Ezek. 16:49). 1. Exercise is necessary to develop strength (cf. 1 Tim. 4:7, 8). 2. Exercise must be engaged in ac cording to the rules (2 Tim. 2:1, 3-5 15). , 3. In exercise the strength must be properly directed (1 Cor. 9:26). Every strong Christian or church is a busy one. Work is a distinct bless ing. The exercise factor in God’s plan is a tremendous one (2 Cor. 5:18; 6:1). JUNE 20, 1943 WHAT PROTESTANT CHRIS- TIANITY STANDS FOR R omans 1 : 17 ; 2 T im othy 3 : 15 - 17 : 1 P eter 2:5 By Lawrence E. Simpspn Introduction “The name ‘Protestant’ . . . origi nally applied to Lutherans, has now come to be applied in popular use to those protesting against Papal usurpa tion-including all Evangelical Chris tian Bodies” (Halley).
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