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passion, for the needs of all men, but there is also need for great wisdom. We must avoid making paupers. “ If a man will not work neither shall he eat.” This distinction needs much emphasis in these days. (v. 38). 7. “Him that taketh thy cloak, for bid not to take thy coat also” (v. 29). We must be willing to bear wrong, but this does not mean that we should give the thief our pocket book after he has taken our overcoat. We may feel justified in turning him over to the officer of the law for punishment, for human laws must be obeyed (v. 33). The Golden Buie (v. 31). These seven precepts are all included in this summing up by our Lord. No one can find fault with this rule. Even those who have no use for Christ all join in commendation of its beauty. It is golden, for it has all the elements of the precious metal. It is short— fifteen little words. It is simple— a child can understand it for it is so easily illustrated. It is straightforward. There is noth ing technical about it. It reaches the desired point at once. It is sound. In principle, it is be yond controversy. It will stand any test. It is specific. It covers every possible emergency that might arise in the minds of men. It is stimulating. We knew a Jew who, although a denier of Christ as his Messiah, named his store “ The Golden Rule” and built up a very large busi ness. It is satisfying. If men and nations would be governed by it we would have a millennium, but they will not. Every one would like to have other people work the Golden Rule, but it takes the grace of God to make it operative. (2) LOVE’S REWARD, vs. 35-38. “ And your reward shall be great.” God gives a reward in grace. We can never claim a reward for right do
ing, for it is wrong not to'do right, but God deals with us in grace. We have never deserved anything from Him but punishment, but here we are told we shall have a great reward. The wicked are -to be rewarded (or recompensed) for their evil (Psa. 91:8). “ Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.” (And Luke 23:41). But God’s servants are to be re warded for their service (1 Cor. 3:8, 14): “Now he that planteth and he that wat- ereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. If any man’s work shall abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” The laborer is worthy of his reward (1 Tim. 5:18) and among the last re corded words of our Lord are these (Rev. 22:12): “And, .behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give very man ac cording as his work shall be.” This is consistent with God’s attitude from the beginning. In grace He chose Abraham and yet He said (Gen. 15:1): “Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” We can have, here and now, the ful ness of His great life— the peace, the joy, the satisfaction— and we can look forward in joyful anticipation to the coming glory with the consciousness that He will not be unmindful of our pilgrimage and will acknowledge be fore all saints our service for Him. QUESTIONS. (1) What light does the Old Testa ment throw upon this subject of loving God and loving our enemies? (Deut. 30:6; Lev. 19:18-34.) (2) What had the Jewish leaders taught concerning love? (Matt. 5:43.) (3) What inspires love for God, and how is it manifested? (1 John 4: 19-21.) (4) How does Paul epitomize this duty of doing good? (Gal.' 6:10.) (5) What is the essence of God’s - law of giving? (Luke 6j: 38.) (6) How does Paul interpret it? (2 Cor. 9:6-15.)
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