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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
January, 1935
fulfill the duties o f his position, that is his own responsibility, for which he will have to answer to God. But the Chris tian, so far as he is concerned, is to render due obedience and honor to the office, and to allow the responsibility to rest upon the one who must bear it. Hence, the Christian is to submit him self to the king, or to the supreme power (v. 13), or to the governor, whose duty is to reward the evildoer with punishment and the well-doer with praise (v. 14). Con formity to this rule would in no wise ab rogate the freedom o f the children of God (vs. 15, 16). It is the will o f God that with such well-doing the ignorance o f foolish men (who would1rebel against con stituted authority) should be put to si lence. The liberty of the Christian is not to_ be used for a cloak of wickedness; the wickedness would be seen in the rebellion against authority. Finally, the Christian is to “honor all men.” Even an unsaved man has a dig nity which is to be respected, simply be cause he is a man. The “brotherhood,” that is, the company of fellow Christians, is to be loved because of what the mem bers are—members of the same family. God is to be “ feared,” or given reverence, which is always His due. And the king is to be “honored” as being the representa tive o f God (v. 17). III. T he S eparated L ife (4:1-5) The Christian is in .'■'ough not o f the world. He is surrounaed with evil, and this environment brings him suffering. To have “ceased from sin” means that the be liever is living no longer according to the LANTERN SLIDES MADE TO ORDER From your films, snapshots, negatives or printed matter. Very lowest priees to Ministers, Mis* sionaries or Evangelists. Plain or colored; over twenty-five years experience; the world’s lowest priees. Send 60c and copy for colored slide. Address: C. W H I T F I E L D S I M S 6176 MY080TI8 8TREET, LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
desires o f the flesh, but according to the will of God (vs. 1, 2). The life lived according to the flesh is altogether horrible (vs. 3, 4). The evil practices mentioned in these verses are ever present wherever the flesh is allowed to have sway. The Christians to whom Peter was writing had engaged in such things in times past. But now, because thqy refused to be occupied longer with these worthless and evil pursuits, these be lievers were the subjects o f the scorn o f former companions. _The scorners might speak evil o f the Christians, whose former habits had been given up (v. 4), but each accuser would be required to give an ac count o f himself to God (v. 5). This thought should act as a deterrent upon all, and a reason for forsaking everything that does not meet with the approval o f that Judge. Points and Problems 1. Verse 11 paints a striking picture of the Christian life. The believer is not at home in this present world, but is a pilgrim and a stranger, passing through a foreign country. It is also an enemy country, the habitat o f “fleshy lusts” which make “war against the soul.” These enemies o f the soul are both subjective and objective— existing subjectively in the very flesh that clothes the soul, and objectively in the things o f the world that make their appeal to the flesh. The way to fight these foes is to “ abstain" from them. Paul says, “Flee” from them (1 Tim. 2:22). 2. “Having your conversation honest” (v. 12). These two last English words had a broader significance three hundred years ago, when our Authorized Version was made. Then “conversation” meant conduct or manner o f life. Today “con versation” is only one aspect o f conduct. The word “honest” once meant honorable in the broadest sense. The Greek word is kalos, and it means “beautiful,” “ ex-'j cellent,” “noble,” “praiseworthy,” and “good.” The context o f the verse suggests the meaning o f “praiseworthy” (cf. v. 14). 3. “ Submit yourselves to every ordin ance of man for the Lord’s sake" (v. 13). There are probably two distinct ideas here. First, the Christians were to do this be cause the Lord while on earth had com manded it (Matt. 22:21). Second, they were to submit because by so doing they will glorify the risen Lord in the eyes of men (1 Pet. 2:12). 4. Verse 16 seems to reflect the memory o f an experience which Peter had had while the Lord was upon earth. Read Matthew 17:24-27 for the record. Notice that the same ideas are in both passages: Just as the Son o f God, although free from such obligations, paid the tribute money, so the children o f God, although spiritually free from every claim o f the world, are to submit to worldly rulers. And the reason in both cases is the same: W e are not to use our freedom to the injury o f others. Golden Text Illustration One o f the most distinguished military men now living in America was some time ago at a great public dinner. It was a splendid occasion, and the tables were sur rounded with many famous men and bril liantly attired women. At every plate there were placed a number o f wine glasses. The distinguished general re ferred to was noticed to take the occasion to turn down all his glasses before the servant came with the wine. A lady, sit ting at his side, said to him : “ Excuse me, General, but I have noticed that on every
occasion where I have been with you at dinner you have always turned down your glasses. Do you never drink wine?” “No,” replied the general, “I never drink it." “ I do not wish to be impertinent,” re plied the lady, “ but I would very much like to know why a man o f your age and char acter should feel it necessary to refuse the comfort and exhilaration of a glass of wine.” The general smiled, and said, “I am very willing to tell you all there is about it. It might be perfectly safe for me, and no doubt would be, to drink a glass o f wine with my dinner, but yonder is my son sitting at die other table. I f I do not drink wine, he will not. I f I drink it, he will folow my exampe.”— A Modern Cyclopedia o f Illustrations, by Hallock. A Letter from Peter 1 P eter 2:11-17; 4:1-5 Memory Verse: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor” (Rom. 13:10). Approach: Many o f the people who be came disciples o f Jesus after they had lis tened to Peter on that day when he stood things which were not right and would laugh at them when they refused. One day Peter wrote them a letter to en courage them. Lesson Story: He told them how a Christian citizen should live. He said that in order that a Christian may live a good life, the wisest thing is not even to think evil thoughts; then it is easier to behave in the right way. He reminded them that many people were watching them and were seeing Jesus through them. They were to obey the laws o f their country. He told them that they were free, but that that meant they were free to do right. They were to be willing to suffer as Christ suffered. The “will o f God” was to be their guide. The things which Peter told the people in these far-away countries long ago are things which we should remember and do today. Jesus’ disciples today must be good citizens of their country. And the way that Peter told these people to be good citizens is the way we can be good citizens, too. Objects: Five flashlights, a silver dol lar, and purple and green cellophane paper. (Added interest will be gained if the flash lights have been previously borrowed from members of the group.) Lesson: Mr. and Mrs. Flashlight and their three children are all Christians. But I am sorry to tell you that Frances, the youngest, is the only one who remembers the words o f Jesus and lets her light shine for Him. Here is Mr. Flashlight. He is a member o f the church, but you will notice from the coin which keeps his light from shining, that he has forgotten the words of Jesus, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glo- < V v w o * up a n d preached, went back to their homes in their own country to live. Pet er knew that it would be hard for them to live always as the Lord _Jesus had taught His dis ciples. He knew that often their friends and neighbors would want them to do Object Lesson T he F lashlight F amily
5 NO SUBSTITUTE ¡-Octane RICHFIELD
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