121
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S
Who are the peacemakers upon whom Jesus bestows His benediction; calling them the sons of God? Does He mean the mere composers of men’s quarrels in the world? We think not. This beatitude must be taken in its context and those who have carefully studied Matthew 5 know that the beatitudes follow in inspired order, each being the outgrowth of the one preceding. Christ’s peacemakers are those who have been trained by the experience of poverty of spirit, contrition for sin, the meekness of the spirit, hunger after the will of God, compassion and heart purity. These have peace with God and the peace of God. These go forth to diffuse peace of soul. These tell men of Christ who has “ made peace through the blood of His cross.” These expose themselves to ridicule and persecution a's Christ declares in the succeeding beatitude, for there has never been an Abel with his blood message without a Cain with his bitter hatred. There are two classes of peace preachers referred to in the Bible. In Jeremiah 6:13, 14 we read of those who preach “ Peace, peace; where there is no peace.” They vainly endeavor to “ heal the hurt of the people.” Ephesians 2 :17 tells us of the second class of peace preachers. These preach “ peace to them which were afar off.” They declare that through Christ “ we have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Which of these two classes has done more to sweeten society: Moody’s Gospel message which brought thousands to God or W ilson’s fourteen points? (all good in themselves but having no Christ in them). J. Wilbur Chapman with his world-wide declaration of peace to those who would accept Christ, or Sam Gompfirs with his efforts to compose differences be tween men? We believe all will agree that there is but one kind of “ peace work” which wears. The world kicks because some devout Christians will not throw up their hats and shout for peace plans, as if these would heal the hurt of the world. This is exactly what Christ said the world would do to His peace-bringers whom He assured would have in heaven not only a reward but great reward (Matt. 5 :11, 12). The Christian who is winning souls is doing the permanent work and is the true peace preacher. K. L. B. HELPING CHRIST OUT OF A HOLE Some of our church leaders are devoting a large portion of their time to the.effort to answer the prayer of Jesus— the prayer “ that they may all be one; as thou; Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (Jno. 1 7 :21). Federation of churches is constantly proposed by these voices in Christen dom as the solution to this long unanswered prayer. Then why is it these leaders ignore the plain words of our Lord’s peti tion? The unity for which Christ prays is a vital UN ITY OF LIFE in Christ and in God. It is a prayer that is offered for “ those who shall believe on me through their word,” and He prays “ that they may be one IN U S .” This union is only in the Father and in the Son and is realized through the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers. It is not a mechanically organized unity
Made with FlippingBook Online document