606 this is to warn every one from follow ing the examples of those who would certainly lead them to destruction. Their experience is a demonstration of the law of retribution, that punishment will come upon the ungodly. It mat tered not that these transgressors were professors of religion and made great pretentions of uncommon knowledge and attainment in spiritual things. This only ■increased their condemnation. Since Scripture predicts such mockers in the last days, the faith of true Chris tians is not shaken, but rather confirmed by their appearance. The church at Ephesus is exhorted to repent and do the first works. Repent ance is change of mind. The mind may be changed as often as it is in error. A backslider in returning to God must repeat the experience he had when he was converted. He must repent, be lieve and confess. It is usually harder to get a backslider to do the first works a second time than it is to get the average sinner to do this the first time. There are many promises in Scripture to the backslider. Hosea 14:4. Mai. 3:7. The appeal to return would be inapplicable to the unsaved. It could only be addressed to dis obedient children who had been unfilial and wandered away from the Father’s house. SATURDAY, June 5. Rev. 2:1-7. Call to Repentance.
THE K I N G ’ S B US I NE S S moral character tends to final perma nence. The would not crystallizes into the could not. |There is, however, no loss of responsibility. Desire of holi ness being lost, there can be no volition of holiness. The wicked become incor rigible. By the same law the-righteous become impeccable. Heaven and hell are necessary psychological polarities. There cannot be a hither without a yon der, an upper without an under, a heaven without a hell. MONDAY, June 7. 1 Sam. 16:1-13. A Shepherd Boy Chosen King. When the family of Jesse was gath ered for the sacrifice, his seven stalwart sons made a goodly showing. The youngest son seems to have been of little account and was engaged in a servant’s task of tending sheep. No one had thought it worth while to call David to the feast. Each son in succession was passed by by the prophet. Upon inquiry David was summoned, recog nized and anointed by Samuel. Even the best of men are inclined to judge by appearances but God will secure the recognition of His own elect. There is no indication that those present under stood the meaning of the ceremony. Perhaps the Spirit of the Lord revealed it to David through the prophet. God makes choice of the weak things to confound the mighty. TUESDAY, June 8. 1 Sam. 16:14-23. David in Saul’s Court. After Samuel’s rebuke at Gilgal, Saul brooded upon his rejection until he be came physically and mentally sick, a cause of anxiety and terror to all around him. One of his servants suggested medicinal music and David was sum moned from his sheep-fold. His skill upon the harp had become known. The strains of music soothed the clouded brain and quieted the troubled nerves of Saul but the relief was only partial and temporary. No spiritual disease can
SUNDAY, June 6. Rev. 22:7-14. Fruits of Obedience.
The one fixed certainty of religion is that there can be no happiness without holiness. Sin produces blindness. Truth possessed but not obeyed becomes accusing and condemning. Holiness is harmony with God and likeness to God. In accordance with inexorable law,
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