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January 1928
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
The Moral Glories of Jesus Christ B y W . E. V ine (/« “The First and the Last”—a new book).
« AVE you ever contemplated the moral glories of Christ from the viewpoint of the fruit of the Spirit ? . The Word of God declares that “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance [or self-control],” nine passage, which speaks indeed of the effects of the Spirit’s work in the believer, provides at the same time a commen tary upon the character of the Lord as revealed in the" Gospels. In His case these mqral excellences were the dis play of glories essential in His Manhood. To illustrate each trait from the records of the four Evangelists lypuld occupy a large volume. We will here consider the witness of Christ Himself to His character in these respects. Nor will space permit us to refer to the whole of His teaching. One passage must suffice. It contains within its compass every trait enumerated in the verse in the Galatian Epis tle, and almost, though not precisely, in the same order. It is His discourse to the disciples in the upper room on the night of His betrayal, Here, too, He speaks significantly of fruitfulness. If the disciples are to bear fruit, it will of necessity be the outcome of His own fruitfulness. The first in the list of virtues spoken of is L ove . Now in the 15th chapter of John’s Gospel the Lord im mediately follows His statement as to bearing fruit by speaking of His love.. “Herein,” He says, “is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and so shall ye be My disciples.. Even as the Father hath loved Me, I also have
loved you: abide ye in My love” (chap. 15 : 8 , 9). His love was not mere sentiment, it consisted in keeping His Father’s commandments. And our love is to be no dif ferent ; it is to express itself in obedience to Mis own com mandments, and so, ip loving one another (verses 10 - 12 ). His was the “greater Jove,” exhibited in the laying down of Hi life. ' . W L The next item in the, fruit of the Spirit is J oy . This, finds, correspondence in. the Lord’s next utter ance, “These; things have I spoken unto you, that My joy may be in you” (verse 11). One of His objects in speak ing .to the disciples was that they might have His joy fulfilled in themselves (chap. 17:13). His joy lay in abiding in the love of the Father and so in doing His will, and only so can our joy be fulfilled. The third quality is P eace . Of His peace the Lord speaks earlier in His discourse: “Peace I leave with you: My peace I give unto you” (chap. 14:27). This is “the peace of Christ” of which the apostle writes in Colossians 3:15 (R. V .), which is to rule, or rather, to arbitrate, in our hearts, removing our anxieties and fears, and settling our troubles. How dark and terrible were the Lord’s circumstances on the night of the betrayal! The traitor was already engaged in his murderous plot. The agony of Gethsemane lay imme diately before Him, to be followed by the terrible expe riences of His trial and the more terrible sufferings of the Cross. All were known to the Lord beforehand. Yet it
virtues combined in a perfect harmony of character. This
As P icturesque a Church As E’er You ’d See The inspiring view af forded by the diminu tive church in the Fex Valley near St. Mor itz, Switzerland, is in deed a pretty sight. A study in white a n d black, its colors are such as no artist could surpass.
The Gilliam» Service, Mew York
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