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September 1943
onstration of the strength which Christ can give to every believer. ' OCTOBER 10, 1943 HOW TO TELL RIGHT FROM WRONG D e u te r on om y 6:17; C olossians 3:23-25 By Ralph J. Colburn Introduction This age-old question, “How can one tell right from wrong?” has trou bled the thinking of men everywhere. It has stirred the savage breast, and puzzled the wise philosopher. But men have arrived at many wrong conclusions because they used human reasoning alone. Common b e l i e f never makes a wrong thing right. Though all the world became convinced that two and two equal five, all the world would be wrong. Popular acceptance is not necessarily a safe guide. Likewise common practice does not alter the facts. The fact that “everybody does it,” does not imply at all that there is no wrong involved. Majorities are often wrong. There is a popular no tion a b r o a d today that right and wrong are purely relative—that is, a certain thing may be right under one set of circumstances and »wrong under another. The Word of God certainly teaches differently, and it is our guide and final authority. It definitely es tablishes certain things as being right and wrong, speaking in terms of sin and righteousness. For Those Who Have Topics I. BY OBEYING GOD’S WORD. Many passages from the Bible es tablish certain things as sin, regard less of the circumstances in which they occur. And if they are sin, they are wrong for us (1 John 3:4; 5:17). There are many lists of unrighteous acts in the Word of God (Prov. 6:16-19; Rom. 1:28-32; Eph. 4:25-31; Col. 3:5-9). With these are given many lists of right things, which please and glorify God (Col. 3:12-17; Gal. 5:22-25). Without question, the Bible will establish for us what is right and what is Wrong. If we will seek its truth, and practice it, we shall be blessed. II. BY APPLYING GOD’S WORD. There are some things, however, that we might find not definitely listed in the Bible, as being right or wrong. In. this case we can still find light from God’s Word by applying such passages as Colossians 3:17, 23, and 1 Corinthians 10:31. Then we can al ways pray about such matters (Jas. 1:5). To him who seeks honestly, God will give light (Matt. 7:7). But when God reveals the right, one must be sure to do it, for to fail in that
which you know is right is. sin (Jas. 4:17). - III. BY LIVING GOD’S WORD. There will always remain, questions unsettled. There are a few 'things which may not be wrong in them selves, yet things we should avoid, lest in doing them we cause others to stumble. Paul saw no wrong in eat ing meat which first had beeiì'offered to idols, but some Christians did, and therefore he took the wise attitude of forbearance for another’s' sake (1 Cor. 8:13). Such things might be likened to weights which hinder, in running a race. We are bettér off .without them (Heb. 12:1, 2), Conclusion We see that God’s Word always gives us principles, if not explicit descriptions, of what is right and what is wrong. Let us study its pages, and pray over our decisions, and then we will be guided aright. If there remains any doubt, give God the benefit of the doubt. Remember the rule about wearing the shirt the s e c o n d day—“If it’s doubtful, it’s dirty.” If we cannot do a thing in full assurance, we had better not do it at all (Rom. 14:23). OCTOBER 17, 1943 BEING CHRISTIAN IN OUR FRIENDSHIPS J ohn 15:9-14 By Vivian Fusby Introduction Friendship, a necessity in our lives, can be either a blessing or a hin drance. By knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, it is possible to have much richer friendships while An this earth than could be possible otherwise. For Those Who Have Topics I. STANDARDS FOR FRIENDSHIPS. A Christian’s intimate friendships must be chosen from among yielded Christians who are separated from the world (2 Cor. 6:17). Even old friends will often forsake one, but the new friends in Christ will stand by in the hour of crisis when friends are so sorely needed. Such fellowship unites, believers into a closer bond than that, of kinship. Christian fellowship is to be char acterized by love. Every one who loves the Lord Jesus Christ is our brother, and it is our privilege and responsibility to show that we ‘ are God’s children by loving our brethren as He corqmanded us (1 John 4:21). Christian friends will afford fellow ship in prayer and in the study o f . God’s Word, which will result in in creased faith, renewed enthusiasm, and great joy. Every Christian should be active in some definite group of believers. “Then they that feared the
Ralph J. Colburn because He revealed to the people their sin, and left- no excuse for evil- doing (John 15:17-22), If we are true followers of Christ, our liVes will also reprimand evildoers. In this country, we, unlike the apostles, will probably not be subjected to physical torture because of our religious beliefs; how ever, perhaps just as effective are the more subtle forms of persecution, such as ridicule and social ostracism. II. PURPOSE OF SUFFERING. 1. To test our loyalty (1 Pet. 1:7). New Testament Scripture explicitly warns Christians that they must ex pect to go through trials which test faith and loyalty (1 Thess. 3:3). Has there ever been a righteous cause whose worth has been established without any difficulty? Can an army win a war without a battle? Unless a Christian expects to share Christ’s suf ferings, he cannot expect to share Christ’s glory (Rom. 8:17, 18; 1 Pet. 4:13, 14). We must prove our loyalty, in both favorable and unfavorable cir cumstances. < 2. To learn obedience. If God’s own Son learned obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8, 9), how much more do we need the practical lessons in patience, obedience, endurance, and kindness which the harsh school of ex perience teaches! 3. To mdke us cling close to God. It is when things are smooth and easy that human nature is prone to neglect Gog’s fellowship. Then some circum stance comes which takes our eyes off “things” and makes us fall back upon the strong arm of the Lord. Trouble and suffering which drive us close to His heart are really blessings, how ever the disguise. 4. To be able to comfort others. The Lord “comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any afflic tion, through the comfort wherewith' we ourselves .are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:4-7). An attitude of cheer fulness and fortitude will give new courage to others in similar . circum stances, and will be a practical dem
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