747
December 1928
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
The expression “be pitiful" in 1 Pet. 3 :8 means “be good hearted.” A good- hearted person (which every Christian should be) will always show pity to those who are burdened. The word was used by Greek medical writers to describe a courageous temperament, but Peter and Paul (Eph. 4:32) use it, as the context shows in each case, for the emotional temper which shows itself in pity and affection. * * * When Peter said the devil was a roar ing lion walking about seeking whom he might devour, he revealed a. perfect knowledge of biology. A missionary in Africa says there are three beasts in Africa that lie in wait for their prey: lion, leopard and hyena. The hyena does not devour but attacks only the vitals and is quickly gone with that portion. The leopard does not devour but desires only the blood. The lion devours, leaving not a single portion. What a perfect picture of Satan* the destroyer of souls! * * * “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” Moffat’s trans lation emphasizes the indwelling in Christ, “In Him who strengthens me I an able for anything.”_ And the perfectly astounding achievements of the many- sided apostle bear witness that he spoke only the exact truth. * * * “In all thy ways acknowledge Him” (Prov. 3:6). A good contrast is James, 1 :8—-“unstable in all his ways.” * * * “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force (Matt. 11:12). Rotherham gives it: “The kingdom is being invaded and the invaders are seizing upon it.” The Cam bridge Bible gives: «¡“The earnest win their way into it.” * * * The Word saves us (Jas. 1:21); searches us (Heb. 4:12); sanctifies us (Jn. 17:17). * * * Peter exhorts the elders in 1 Pet. 5 :3 to be “ensamples to the flock." The word used here is not the same as in 1 Pet. 2:11 or 2 Pet. 2:6. It means “type.” It is the word used by Thomas (Jn. 20:25) in speaking of the “print of the nails.” There is a great need that elders should be “true to type.” * * * Was Peter a pope? Notice how he addressed the elders of the scattered Asiatic churches: “I exhort you, who am also an elder" (1 Pet. 5:1). Peter was not in authority over the churches, com manding their officials, but simply a fellow-elder exhorting them. * He * That is a beautiful rendering of 1 Pet. 5 :7 which gives i t : “Unloading all your distracting anxieties upon Him, for He is concerned about you." * * * James 3 :5 reads literally: “A little fire kindles how great a mass of timber.” The word rendered “matter” in our Au thorized Version, means primarily, “wood in growth.”
Filling Station on Life’s Highway 2 Tim. 2:1-26 1. STRENGTH (V. 1). L Through learning (Vs. 2, 7; 3 :14, 15). 2. Through rigid training (Vs. 3,10; Prov. 22:6). 3. Through freedom from entangle ments (V. 4; 2 Cor. 6:14,17). 2. STRIVE (V. 5). 1. Lawfully (V. 5). (a) Not about immaterial things (Vs. 16, 23). 2. With Confidence (in the Word, V. 9). 3. With Certainty (Vs. 8,9; “Resur rection of Christ”). 3. SUFFER (V. 12). 1. Suffer—Reign (V. 12; Rom. 8 : 17). (a) To withhold from Him, is to cut off our own source of supply (V. 12). 2. His word is unchangeable, whether we believe it or not (V. 13). 4. STUDY (V. 15). 1. Study for God’s approval, not man’s (V. 15). 2. Cry—seek—search (Prov. 2:2-6). 3. Be ready always (1 Pet. 3:15).
The W o rd of Our Testimony A RE we, who have answered . God’s call to defend the reputation of the Scriptures from the ceaseless slanders of today, giving sufficient prom inence to our own very blessed experience of the effect of the God-breathed Word in our own souls? What we have found so often is that a brief passage of Scripture, taken into the mind, pondered and made our own, has brought the Divine most blessedly near to us. We have seemed distant, and the Word brings us nigh. We have felt cold, and the Word fires the heart. We have been lonely, and the Word that God speaks with in us gives us to realize that our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. “Darkness covers the earth," we have said; but from the Word thus made our own, light has shined forth. Most gra cious renewing has again and again come to us from the Word. Do we say enough about it? Experience can never take the place of the Bible,: as some fondly imagine. But experience can help to fill our lips with tes timonies and with praises: and we overcome by the blood of the Lamb—AND by the word of our testimony.
5. SHUN (V. 16).
1. Babblings (V. 16). 2. False doctrine (Vs. 17, 18).
6 . SEALED (V. 19).
1 . The seal of God’s knowledge (V. 19; 1 Cor. 15:23). 2. Sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).
7. SANCTIFIED (V. 21). 1. Purged (V. 21). 2. Prepared (V. 21). 3. Purified (V. 22). 8 . SERVICE:*!Vs. 24, 25). 1. Gentle (V. 24).
2. Teach (Patiently, V. 24). 3. Meekness (V. 25).
9. SNARE (V. 26).
1. The snare of the devil (V. 26). (a) There are always many snares of Satan on the Christian Highway. LOOK OUT FOR THE SNARES (Prov. 4:14,15): “Go not in the path of evil men. Avoid it, pass it by, turn from it, and pass away." A. D. E llington . — o — Grace Saved By Grace: “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:9). Standing in Grace: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2). Disciplined in Grace: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2 : 12 ) . Growing in Grace: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever” (2 Pet. 3:18).
B I B L E B R I E F S
How a. married man can love him- self—Eph. 5 :28. * * * We are warned in Jas. 1 :21 against "superfluity of naughtiness." The word “naughtiness” was used as late as the sixteenth century as the equivalent of wickedness. Gradually the word lost its sharpness and is now applied to the faults of children. Imagine a Fundamentalist minister telling sinners they were “naughty” ! He would be accused of having light views of sin. Yet it is a Scriptural word. ♦ * * The Living STONE on which we build (1 Pet. 2:5). The Living BREAD on which we feed (John 6:51). The Living WAY by which we draw near (Heb. 10:20). The Living PRIEST through whom we worship (Heb. 13:25). The Living HOPE for which we wait (Pet. 1:3).
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