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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
May, 1938
us much to be true to our vocation, but the penalty will be greater if we are not. It is “ hard to be a Christian,” but it is harder not to be! When those who have once seen the vision and “tasted of the heavenly gift” draw back, they invite experiences compared with which the trials of the saint are light and sweet. The really “hard” thing is to “ kick against the pricks.” The way of the transgressors is hard.— R obinson in One Thousand Evangelistic Illustrations, by Aquilla Webb. II. T he J ot and the T ittle For the meaning of the expression, “ one jot or one tittle,” found in Matthew 5:18, the explanation is found easily by turning to Psalm 119 in a Bible which shows the Psalm divided by Hebrew letters, "jod,” the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, appears above verse 73, while the letter "heth” at verse 9 bears at its base the tiny stroke— the “tittle”— that distinguishes it from the almost identical "caph” at verse 81. T o the minutest detail the W ord of God shall be fulfilled (cf. Isa. 40:8). But loyalty to God’s Word must always be linked with righteousness, with the holy living which the Lord commands (Matt. 5:19, 20). This righteousness the Holy Spirit progressively produces in the life that is yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18).— I.M . S. You are the only one who can present your body as a living sacrifice to God ; no one else can do it for you.£|W. H. A ldis .
His thoughts and know His will. The one who has not experienced the new birth does not have the mind of Christ; therefore it is impossible for him to make decisions in accordance with God’s holy and perfect Will. Many passages admonish us to sub ject our minds to the dominion of the Spirit that He might guide us into all truth. Paul clearly tells us in Romans 8 :6 what will be the final outcome for an un regenerated mind: “ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” In the next verse he declares the active hostility of a mind rebellious to God’s law : “ The carnal mind is enmity against G od : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Our minds must be changed radically! in nature, if we are to make them up intelligently and in line with God’s will. When a decision must be made, a safe procedure is to obey the admonition of the Apostle as found in Philippians 2:5, 8: “ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: . . . he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Humble willingness to do God’s pleasure, at any cost, is necessary if we would be like Christ in this matter of choosing courses of action. Doubt concern ing the right choice is banished according to the promise in Philippians 3:15: “ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” If we sincerely seek His will in mak ing our decisions, either small or large, He w ill lead us unmistakably. Paul makes a very bold statement in 1 Corinthians 2:16: “W e have the mind of Christ.” What a stupendous truth! Human reason can never find adequate explanation of the mystery of the indwelling Christ, but we can praise God, through faith, for for this blessed reality. W e may link this with another of Paul’s declarations in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2: “ Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...............That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word.” If we recognize and yield to the Spirit of Christ who dwells within by virtue of the new birth, we will not be “ shaken in mind,” a phrase which aptly characterizes the majority of people today. Because of the intricate complexities of life, and the pressure of immediate de cision, many are driven to despair, for they have not the spiritual poise which Christ alone gives. In troublous times such as these, what a joy to rest upon the fact that “ God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim. 1:7) ! Desiring to know the mind of Christ in practical matters, we can be assured of His guidance, which is always supremely “ intelligent.” Why not permit His will to be the deciding factor in our decisions ?
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THE MACEDONIAN CALL ACTS 16:9
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night . . . there stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him . . . saying come over into Macedonia and help us. THE RESPONSE ACTS 16:10 And after he had seen the vision immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. /
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. . for we get calls from all over the coun try. It is very discour aging at times not to be able to grant these requests. I do hope that sometime soon . . —Agency Secretary Penzotti *
CALL
“ The circulation o f the Scriptures in Brazil would be trebled if we were in a position to fill all calls.” —Agency Secretary Turner
WHAT IS YOUR R E S PON S E ? !— — — .— . -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 American Bible Society, Dept. KB Bible House, New York, N. Y. Conscious of the great opportunity and need confronting the American Bible Society, and eager to respond to this modern Mace donian call, I gladly send herewith the amount checked. Name _ A ddress ________ $500 □ $250 □ $100 □ $75 □ $50 □ $25 □ $10 □ $5ö $ !□
Helps for the Leader I. A H arder C hoice
Life in this world is only a choice of diffi culties. If we avoid them in one direction, it is but to meet them in another. It will cost
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