and Lord of lords. Strange as it may seem, men today in their scheming for a new world have little time for the Word of God and for the things which are basic in the establishment of a Golden Age. Metaphors of the Believer Matt. 5:13-16 The kind of men the world needs are those who are subject to the will of God. They are set forth in this passage in two metaphors. They are, first, “ the salt of the earth” (v. 13). What is salt good for? It has several vital uses. It preserves. It is absolutely essential to life. It keeps back corruption. So believers are in the world to preserve it from corruption. If Christians are not the salt of the earth who are? Think of living in a world with the influence of Christianity removed! As Elisha cast salt into the putrid water of Jericho, it became sweet (2 Ki. 2:21). So the followers of Christ with His life within them are to sweeten the life of the world. Again, salt seasons. It makes food appe tizing. Keeps it from being insipid. So there ought to be something about every Christian that will make Christ appear at tractive. Salt is also a symbol of friendship. To eat salt with another in eastern lands is a pledge of friendship (See Ezra 4:14 A.R.V.). So the believer is to have a lively interest in the souls of men and seek their salvation. Let us see to it that the salt of our testimony does not become so mixed with the affairs of this world that it loses its savour. Believers, secondly, are “ the light of the world” (v. 14). Since in the fullest sense Christ is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), the reference in our lesson must mean that the believer is expected to re flect the light of Christ in this dark world. What a responsibility! Light warms, puri fies, produces growth, reveals beauty, gives direction, and supplies energy. Christ does of all these things for the soul. In a second ary sense •every believer is to do these things for the blessing of men. Therefore with such a privilege and responsibility “ Let your light . . . shine” (v. 16). Ministry of the Believer 2 Cor. 5:17-19 New creatures (v. 17) ought to be en gaged in a new kind of work. This is what Christians are and to them has been com mitted the privilege and responsibility of “the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18). In other words theirs is the glad task of relating good news to men. Through the cross of Christ God has become reconciled to men. He. is kindly disposed toward them. He wants to enter into friendly re lations with them. To tell men of this great truth is committed to believers. God “ hath committed unto us the word of re conciliation” (v. 19). No wonder the Apostle Paul says, “ Now then we are am bassadors for Christ.” Testing the Believer James 2:14-18 Whether or not a professing Christian is truly bom again is made manifest by the fruit he bears. The passage immedi ately before us shows clearly that faith and works are Siamese twins, inseparably joined. Note Ephesians 2:10 which empha sizes this fact. The believer is God’s work manship (handiwork or poem) “ created CONTINUED ►
NOW
and LATER... GENEROUS DIVIDENDS!
Write for free folder, “ You Give. You Rec eivel" • Satisfaction of know ing that your investment is working for Christian education. I n v e s t in a WESTMONT ANNUITY! • Dividends greater than average stocks and secu rities, with tax exemp tions. • Income remains con stant, r e g a r d l e s s of changing economic con ditions, for balance of your lifetime. • N o burdensom e in vestment worries or both ersome details.
WESTMONT COLLEGE , Roger J. Voskuyl, Ph.D., Pres. 55 LA PAZ ROAD • SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.
Advertisers9 Index See page 50
she’ll never use anything hut the MANUAL OF VISUAL TEACHING. She likes it because: « Lessons are complete from introduction to application . Lessons are based on International Uniform Series • Quarterly is Christ-centered, evangelical
Pictures to color and m e m o r y v e r s e s f o r e a c h l e s s o n . H e l p s W illie remember the lesson better. 13# each per quarter for free samples today.
» Pictures require no mounting • It costs just $2.50 per quarter
Send
S E P T E M B E R 1 9 5 3
45
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs