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AUGUST, 1946
. . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:35-40). If Christian boys and girls truly be lieved these words of the Lord Jesus, they would be more friendly, more helpful, and kinder to f r i e n d s and strangers alike. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name oi the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17a). LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 29 Jesus and the Law of Love L E S S O N M A T E R IA L : Psa. 119:33-38; Matt. 5:43-48. G O L D E N T E X T : “ Love w orketh no 111 to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the la w " (Rom , 13:10). Outline and Exposition I. T h e A ppeal of t h e L ord ( P sa . 119:33-38) This passage includes a series of six petitions concerned with God’s stat utes, law, commandments, testimo nies, way, and word. Each contains a confession of need, an expression of desire, and a reassurance that the need may be met and the desire satis fied, based upon the character of God Himself. The high point of all of this teach ing is in the words: “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies” (v. 36). The issues of life rise out of the heart, which is either filled with the fear of God or filled with evil, (see Prov. 4:23; Jer. 32:40.) In either case, it is necessary that the heart be inclined unto God’s testimonies. This God alone can do for those who pray. II. T h e I n st r u c t io n F rom t h e L ord ( M a t t . 5:43-48) The desire of the Lord is to have His followers likd'Himself. Hence He com mands love to one’s enemies, blessing to those who curse, good to those who hate, and prayer for those who perse cute. Without this changed attitude, there would be no difference between the righteous and the evil, for even the evil do good to their own. This the Lord Himself did, and this is what He wants His own to do. Then He ex horted them to be “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is per fect.” The perfection does not refer to the sinlessness of God, but to His loving-kindness and tender mercy to wards all people, as this passage re veals. For the believer, it means to have ripeness of experience and spir itual maturity. He .did not mean that the fulfillment of this exhortation would make mep children of His Father, but that it would make mani fest that they were His children.
In all ages do well to observe. Oft- times God permits His children to go through very trying experiences in or der that they may be able to help others whb must undergo similar hard ships. Even our Lord Jesus Christ par took pf trial and suffering in order that He might be a sympathizing Sav iour (Heb. 2:18 and 4:15). Therefore, let us not despise the day of testing. 2. “Thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates'- (Deut. 24:14)., The question arises, “Who are these strangers mentioned here?” We know that God commanded Israel to drive out the Canaanite nations then duell ing in Palestine (Ex. 24:28, 33). How ever, there were individuals both in and out of Canaan who turned unto the God of the Hebrews an< observed their rites and ceremonies. They be came to Isreal “thy strangers.” They were to be treated like Israelites. They were no longer strangers to God (Ex. 12:48, 49; Num. 9:14). Likewise believ ers today were once strangers to God and His promises, but now find them selves in the family of God (Eph. 2 : 12 ). 3. “For I was on hungred, and ye gave me meat" (Matt. (25:35). Apart from their dispensational teaching, these words show clearly that to min ister to those who are in physical or spiritual need is the same as minis tering unto Christ. To be lacking in this respect is to grieve Him. Saul of Tarsus learned this on the Damascus road (Acts 9:4). In all probability, the direct reference in this passage is to the treatment, good or ill, which God’s witnesses will receive during the time of the great tribulation. The Lord Jesus told His disciples one day about some of the things that will happen when He takes to live with Him forever those who have re ceived Him as their Saviour. Those who love Him will be invited to live in the kingdom which was made for them from the time that the world was created. At that time He will say to them: “I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ? or naked, and clothed thee? . . . And the King shall answer and say unto them For the Children J esus T e a ch e s F r iend liness M a t t h e w 25:34-40; H ebrews 13:2 MEMORY VERSE: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers” (Hebrews 13:2).
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The prayers of all the readers of the King's Business are earnestly solicited. - Subscribe to THE GOSPEL FOR THE CONTINENT, our official missionary paper. Co-editors James A. Stewart, and Dr. Her bert Lockyer. 50c per year. Read about the early life of James Ste w art. Attractive booklet, MY STORY, 50c postpaid. Write your nearest office for literature or information. 1179 Delaw are Ave. Buffalo 9, N. ,Y. 602 W ithersp oon Bldg. Philadelphia 7, Pa. 4 Gow an Ave. T oronto 6, O ntario. C anad a 20 A lgie St. G lasgow S. I. Scotland JAMES A. STEWART Founder and General Director M rs. R. E. N eighbour. Hom e Director M O N T m & GOSPEL C S Ü S Ä P I BILLINGS, MONTANA “We preach Christ and Him Crucified ” Reaching the great neglected area o f the Rocky Mountain region with a daily Bible Broadcast and Radio School o f the Bible. Sustained en tirely by the prayers o f those who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
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