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JULY 22,1945 LET ’S H AVE FUN E cclesiastes 11:9; C olossians 3:17 By Albert L. Flory Christians do not need to belong to the Lemon or Vinegar Association. There is enough sourness in the world without the Christian’s adding to it. Although the world is in a depressing state, the Word of God provides a constant source of joy which is, after all, the basis for real fun. For Those Who Have Topics t I. WHAT IS REAL FUN? Let us distinguish between fun and real fun. Fun, or merriment, is what the world attempts to secure, often times with things for which the Chris tian has no desire. Real fun is genuine merriment which finds its origin in the deep-rooted joy of the Lord. The Christian’s real fun centers in posses sing Christ as Saviour, and salvation as a reality. The first chapter of 1 Peter makes this very clear. In verses 3-5 we have the blessings of salvation: a living hope (v. 3); an incorruptible inheritance (v. 4); and a keeping power from God (v. 5). In verse 6 we are told to rejoice in these things. This is why the Christian young man or woman can get a thrill out of a con-, vention where the living hope is taught; out of a gospel “sing” where the truths of salvation are expressed in song; or at a prayer meeting where God is given thanks for His keeping power. The passage goes on to show that, though' the Christian may go through the refining fire of testing (v. 7), he can experience that real joy which centers in Christ as Saviour, “in whom ye rejoice with joy unspeak able and full of glory.” The world knows nothing of this secret of real fun. II. DOES THIS JOY-LAST? The Christian can look back over his life and find thatMhe times of real lasting joy have been those heart searching occasions when he has been brought to appreciate the truths of salvation and the wonders of the per son of Christ. As one who has worked much among young people in summer camps, I have heard the testimony of hundreds of young people tó the effect that they have had the greatest experience and the most fun of their lives during a week at camp. In nearly every case, it. was not the athletic contests, hikes, or food for which they expressed appreciation, but the in struction received in the things of the Lord. Baseball, swimming, eats, are soon forgotten, but the realization of the joy of salvation is a constant thrill. This can be a part of the Chris tian’s daily life. A time set apart for Bible study and prayer each day will sustain that thrill.
hills would have the chance to grow into mountains. in. ADMIRABLE CONDUCT (1 Cor. 10: 31-33). We have heard people pettily say, “I don’t care what anybody says! I don’t have to please people.” 'The actual fact of the matter is that we are a part of society, so far as the world is concerned, and are “called to be witnesses” so far as God is con cerned. Therefore, tempted though we might be, we can never honestly take the above stand, even in thought. A good guide for our actions is “ do all to the glory of God.” What are some of the practical, everyday things young people can do that will redound to the glory of God? A good beware sign is, “give none offense.” What are some of the things Christian young people sometimes do that give offense? Don’t think of little, petty things that “immature cranks” pick at, but actual actions that we could well give up for His sake. Re member not to think in terms of “What’s wrong with it?” but rather in terms of “Will I represent Christ better if I put it out of my life?” (cf. 1 Cor. 8:13; 10:23.) Conclusion From the above considerations, we draw the conclusion that, by His grace, we will not build mountains out of little molehills we see in the lives of others. At the same time, we will ask God to keep out of our lives the mole hills which could develop into moun tains..
For Those Who Have Topics. I. ADVERSE CRITICISM (Lk. 6:41). You’ve probably heard this verse discussed many times. But I wonder whether you have-ever laid stress on the word “Why.” Read it again, stress ing that word. It takes you back to what we were mentioning previously. We judge others very largely by what lies within our own thoughts and lives, either consciously or uncon sciously. I have actually heard people who were living lives of sin accuse innocent people of the very sins they themselves were committing. Then, again,' a person may do some little thing which is not wise, and it strikes us wrong. We tell someone about it, perhaps unintentionally en larging upon it or emphasizing it unduly, thereby causing that person much undeserved grief and unhap piness. Perhaps others have done this to you. Read James 3:2-5 and discuss i t II. AMIABLE CONVERSATION (Col. 4:6). Discuss these questions together. What should be the characteristics of the conversation of a Christian? Do the topics Christians omit from their conversation make it dull? (Read Col. 4:6 again—it can't be dull!) What con nection does Acts 4:13 have with our speech? How many of us could join Peter and John in what they say in Acts 4:20? Instead of thinking so much in terms of what we shouldn't say, we should rather concentrate on what we should say. Then there would not be room for the other, and no little mole
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