330
July 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
for a personal devotional testimony, and give it at the earliest opportunity. Expression I. T he E nmity of the W orld “The world cannot hate you; but me it hated, because I testify o f it, that the works thereof are evil" (John 7:7). The sanction of popular approval closes the mouth of the average Christian and kills his testimony. Jesus intimated here that His brethren were so in harmony with the spirit and practices of the world that they had nothing to fear from it. On the other hand, He said: “I and the world are at enmity; I testify of its evil, and because of that testimony, it hates me.” II. T he U nrecognized S cholar “The Jews marvelled, saying, how knoweth this man letters, having never learned” (John 7 :15) ? In these days of the aristocracy of learning, we are apt to judge a man by the number of degrees which he can place after his name, rather than by his true worth. However, we should remember that there is a learning higher than that of the schools. It is the wisdom of God. And wise is the man who sits at the feet of that Teacher of whom it was said by the educated classes of His day, “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?” III. A R ule F or J udging O thers “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment’ (John 7: 24). It is easy for us to hastily judge and condemn our fellow man. Usually such judgment falls in the same class as that of the Jews whom Christ was here re buking for their unrighteousness. They were the ecclesiastical leaders of their day, but their judgments were erroneous because they were prejudiced and bitter in spirit. They could not see,' because, they did not want to see. Let us beware lest we, too, fall under the rebuke of the Lord. D iscussion 1. Consider the speculation of the peo ple as recorded in verse 12, some saying that He was a good man, others that He was a deceiver. If Christ’s claim to be the divine Son of God was not true, could He be called a “good man” ? 2. Jesus says in verse 16, “My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” Dis cuss'the question: “What is the doctrine which Christ is seeking to establish in these discourses with the Jews?” 3. Jesus accuses the Jews of failure to keep the law. What is the law (cf. Lk. 10:26-28; Lev. 18:5)? What happens if man slips the least bit in the keeping of the law (Deut. 27:26; Jas. 2:10; Gal. 3: 10) ? What, then, is the purpose of the law (Rom, 3:19, 20; Gal. 3:24)? How can man be saved (Rom. 8:3, 4; 5:8)? 4. Using verse 24, discuss the whole subject of criticism and judging one an other. What practical suggestions can be derived from the statements of Christ in this regard? Compare with verse 51 and Galatians 6 :1, 2. 5. Discuss the subject of Sunday ob servance in the light of verse 23. Are Sunday and the Sabbath the same?
6. Comment upon verses 37 to 39 in view of the world’s need today. In what sense can we be the source of a stream of living water? 7. In what sense are there divisions among the people today because of Him (v. 43)? Is there anything inherently wrong in denominational lines? Is it not possible that we can serve better with others of similar characteristics? In what sense should there be cooperation, fellow ship, and union between true believers of the Lord Jesus Christ in all denomina tions? Can that union include those who do not believe on and accept Him as Lord of their lives? AUGUST 23, 1931 The Light of the World J ohn 8 lack darkness 1 Groping men in bondage and in fear! Such is the picture that Christ paints of the world in its natural condition of ignor ance and unbelief. Suddenly there shines into the gloom a ray of light. Jesus, the Light of the world, looms on the horizon revealing the awfulness and the tragedy of sin, at the same time illuminating the pathway that leads out of it. P rep aratio n MONDAY: Outline the contents of the chapter, paying special attention to the questions asked by the Jews and the answers given by Jesus. TUESDAY: Go through the chapter underlining im portant passages, and select two or three to be memorized. WEDNESDAY: Set down in order Christ’s testimony concerning Himself as found in this chapter, noting the number of times the personal pronouns are used. THURSDAY: Write a 200-word comment on verses 1 to 11, making applications to everyday life. FRIDAY: In verse 12, Jesus speaks of those who walk in darkness and those who have the light of life. Make a list of at least ten things which might today be classed among the works of “darkness,” and ten things which are works of “the light.” SATURDAY:. From verse 16 to the end of the chap ter, you will find ten important “if’s.” List as many as you can, with the teaching implied in each. SUNDAY: Work out a testimony based on this chapter. Redeeming the Time Oh, trifle not with life—’tis but an hour; Redeem its every moment day by day; Press forward to the front! Live for the future; watch, watch and pray; Remember, child o f time ',. Thou art immortal; fling not heaven away. —H oratius B onar .
Expression I. C onvicted by C onscience
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her . . . and they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one” (John 8:7, 9). How easy it is to point the finger of scorn and condemnation when some one else is involved! How hard it is to turn the same searchlight of publicity within our own lives to search out the hidden sin that is there! This incident, though omit ted in some manuscripts, presents a truth perfectly compatible with the nature and character of . our Lord. The Pharisees, seeking to trap Him, trapped themselves; and convicted by their own consciences, they fled from the presence of the Son of God. Let us beware of the pointing fin ger, the unchristlike slander, the proud and haughty attitude. Rather let us fall on our faces before God, crying with the publican, “God be merciful to me a sin ner.” II. A T est of D iscifleship “I f ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Mere enrollment in a school does not make a student. A student is one who masters the course, taking up his assign ments day by day, learning his lessons as they come. Christ’s emphasis in this pas sage is upon the importance of perserver anee. There are many who start the Christian life with enthusiasm, but who soon grow weary and give up. Jesus tells us to “continue.” . Regular, daily Bible study is essential to a continuing faith. God’s Word brings His life and enables us to come into the full measure of dis- cipleship. III. T he S lavery of S in “Whosoever committeth sin is the ser vant of sin” (John 8:34). Every one is the servant of some mas ter. Christ calls men to take His yoke upon them. It is a bondage which lifts men out of their misery and into the mystery of His majesty. Paul gloried in his title, “the bondslave of Jesus Christ.” How different from the slavery of sin! All one needs to do is to study the lives of those who serve sin and those who serve Christ to discover the differ ence. D iscussion 1. Discuss some of the questions raised in the story of the woman taken in adul tery. What did the law of the Old Tes tament say concerning this sin (Ex. 20: 14; Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22)? Was the law suggested by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount any less severe than the law of the Old Testament (Matt. 5:27, 28)? Did Jesus convict and pardon; or did He admonish and withhold judgment? 2. Discuss the question of conscience. What reason might be given for the eld est going out first when stirred by the statement of Christ? What was it that aroused the consciences of those who ac cused the woman? Does the word of the Son of God bring the same results today? 3. Study the bitterness manifested by the Pharisees in contrast to the self-con trol and poise of Christ. What was the secret of this superior dignity of Christ?
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