able in the Christian. There is a start- ling suggestion that what is needlessly , and unnecessarily spoken is of the evil one. (5) PRIVATE REVENGE. "An eye The L a ^ of Moses was rigid with for a» eye." reference to personal injury. It is es- sential to good government that there be just laws rigorously enforced for the protection of citizens of the State; but when private individuals take the law into their own hands, as did the Phari- sees, there is apt to follow grave injus- tice. Better bear wrong than unjustly injure the person and property of an- other. ' ' Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves" (Rom. 12:19). Do not try to " g et e v e n" with those who wrong you. - " Tu rn the other cheek" has its limitations. See John 18:22-23. Law necessitates retaliation, but as much as lieth in you avoid the law. "Give to him that asketh,'' but not what he ask- eth. A child might ask a razor, or a tramp a drink of liquor. Against this text put its opposite, " I f a man will not work, neither shall he e a t " (2 Thess. 3:10). And these texts must be held closely together. "Love is not divorced from wisdom.'' Keep your heart tender, be ready to respond to any call from God for any of His crea- tures. One of God's methods of keeping us from growing niggardly is to keep us in touch with the needy. (6) PERFECT LOVE. "Be ye there- fore perfect." The Jews regarded their fellow Jews as righteous, and all others as enemies (Luke 19:18). The Lord gave them a four-fold rule concerning their actions toward their enemies. First, love your enemies. This is a severe test for love. Second, say loving things of those who say unlovely things about you. Third, show some kindness toward those who would show some unkindness toward you. Fourth, plead with God in behali of those who seek to harm you. This rule introduces the perfection of love. The phrase " Be ye therefore per- f e c t " is translated " Ye shall be perfect even as vour Father," as referring to a future state. There is no suggestion of sinless perfection. The children should be like their Father. He loves His enemies— they should also; but in order to do so they must have the love of the Father with which to do it. Di- vine Jove necessitates divine life. The
Lord is driving the Pharisees into close quarters. No one ever lived in this earth who met the requirements of these laws, but the Lord Jesus. He only had a righteousness which would stand be- fore the Father. The Pharisees and many professing Christians are going about to establish their own righteous- ness (Rom. 10:3). None such can enter into the Kingdom. Verse 10—"When the King comes, and the Kingdom is established on earth, the law of the Kingdom will be in operation." Never before. There will then be a righteous reign. POINTS PRACTICAL. (1) The Living Word says that the written word shall never pass away until all is fulfilled. (2) An angry man can bring no ac- ceptable gift to God's altar. (3) Better walk Heaven's highways with maimed members than with per- fect body to pursue the path to per- dition. (4) The mouth hath the making of mighty matters. Be swift to hear and slow to speak. (5) Set apart your mouth for simple, seasonable speech. (6) Human nature ha'th hatred for its enemies, but the new nature hath noth- ing but love. (7) If you measure your mile, you will miss God's mark. (8) The imperfect perfecting is that which professes to be perfect. The Scofield Annotated Bible is hav- ing a wonderful sale in this and other countries. This Bible has the best toxi- cal paragraphs and notes of any Bitole in the world and should be in the hanjds of every student and teacher. The pric range from two to ten dollars. No should be without the Bible who c afford to buy one. es ae in The Book Room. We open our new book room tl month. It will be in charge of one , our students, Mr. Alden Pratt. We pi pose to keep a selected stock of t best books. We will carry books ai tracts calculated to stimulate Bit study and to deepen Christian livi A catalogue will be arranged soon. is of o- tie id le 'S.
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