THE KING’S BUSINESS
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to Jesus for advice (Mark 10:17-22). Jesus said, “Sell,” “give,” deny yourself, follow Me, and “you shall have treasure in hëâvén.” Eut hé could not make un his mind to that; he pitied himself more than the poor; and He went away sad when he might Have been glad and have had “lots o f fun,” and been a multi-millionaire ever since in heaven. Sunday, August 31 Running for a Prize.—1 Cor. 9 :24-27. 1. Life is fitly likened to a race. It has its start and its finish. We begin it fresh and hopeful, about midway we . settle down to earnest business, toward the end find it a hard pull. A good many fall behind, and not a few fall out by the way. There are a multitude of spectators, and not all of them of this world (Heb. 12:1). There is a prize or a rejection at the end (1 Cor. 9:27, “castaway” means disapprov ed, not lost, but proved undeserving). There is a Judge or Umpire who bestows thé crown (2 Tim. 4:8). 2. It is the Christian race the text refers to. All who run must “enter” or register for the game; we must confess our pur- posé. Jesus did, Timothy did (1 Tim. 6:12, 13). Bunyan’s Christian saw some fighting their way into the door of a pal ace through a band of armed men. and he went to a man with a book and ink-horn and said, “Set down my name, Sir,.” then with drawn sword cut his way through. 3. We must not be handicapped, but strip ourselves of all that would hinder (Heb. 12:11; 2 Tim. 2:4; 1 Cor. 9:27; Phil. 3:13). 4. This race cannot be run in our own strength. - We must have the help that God gives in answer to prayer (Isa. 40:31); and through faith (Heb. 11:33, 34); see how swift He makes our feet (Ps. 18:33), and how sure (v. 34)-, and how agile (v. 29). All this is spiritually true. Then we must not faint by the way (Isa, 35:3). We must keep the laws of the game (2 Tim. 2:5). The great law is love, and “let each esteem other better than him
self’ (Eph. 2:3, A. R. V .). We must nbt try to be first and get the prize from another, there are prizes enough, and \Ve must help and encourage others to do bit ter than ourselves. Do not try to do the best, but your best. The prize in this rate is to him who would be last, that his brother may be first. 5. The prize is (1) character, “virtue is its own reward,” and is gained by run ning such a race in such a spirit. (2) The approval of the Lord (Matt. 25:21). Sunday, September 7 The Greatest Thing (Force) in the World.—1 Cor. 13:13. 1. Gravitation and Love. These two forces are like: Gravity is the great material; love the great moral force. Both are mysterious in their work ing; both embrace all things in their sphere, great and small, far and near (we spedk of perfect love). One binds all matter into one universe, the other all moral beings into one family. Both are principles of harmony where they rule there is no con flict,' confusion or discord. Where thev rule thgre is order and obedience. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” As all things roll round one central sun or point Bv gravitation, so all spirits by perfect loVe are bound to God. 2. Characteristics of Love. 1 Corinthians 13 mentions 16, beginning with long suffering and ending with unfail ing; see if you can fill in with the other 14. 3. The Example of Love. Jesus exemplified each of these charac-- teristics. Can you recall from the Gospels where He was longsuffering, or tender, o‘r We can love people though we may not like them. If people are disagreeable in their manners, or persons, or treatment Of us we cannot like them. God does not like sinners, they are “an abomination” to Him. but He loves them. True love i s . that quality or sentiment that wishes and seeks unfailing and so on? 4. Loving and Liking.
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