Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1912 — THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE STUDIES

REPROVE WORKS OF DARKNESS. Ephesians v, 11-21—June 30. “Wint is a mocker, strong drink is raging.”— Proverbs xx, 1. ° : - y - *■ IGHT and darkness are used as | figures and as synonyms for truth and untruth, righteousness and sin. Thus, “God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.” Thus also Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” Thus also He said of His followers when leaving them, “Ye are the light of the world;” “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify vour Father” in heaven. On the contrary. Satan is styled the “Prince of darkness,” and his ruie of unrighteousness Is styled “the kingdom

of darkness;” and those subject to his inlluence are styled “t h e children of darkness.” E y i 1 works are styled “works ,of darkness.” "When our t first parents sinned t hey forfeited fellowship with God and thus became children of the Adversary. Je-

sus said to stich; in Ilis day. “Ye are of your father, the Devil, because his works ye do.” (John viii, -14.) Thus our entire race came under the ’influence of the darkness of sin and death, whic h has lasted for G,GOO years. We have the promise of a glorious morning when Messiah shall reign, when Satan shall he bound for a thousand years, when "the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in Hi- beams." God's promises respecting it are figuratively called “light,” and these constitute the Bible. Light Reproves Darkness. There are not many light-bearers in the world. The census reports 400,000.0*<0 of Christians; but, alas, the vast majority give no sign of ever having seem the true light, and many of those who did receive it hid it. Surely it is as true today as it was in Jesus* day that a very small number of humanity, comparatively, have the true light. These are very precious to the Lord. He < alls theni Ilis saints, Ilis jewels, and tells us that at Ilis second coming, prim- to the setting up of His Kingdom to rule the world, they shall be gathered to Himself: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father” (Matthew xiii. 43b scattering all the darkness and miasma us sin, sorrow, ignor- 1 aiwe and superstition. When the Father shall give iheso the Kingdom (Luke vii. 32>. as joint-heirs with their Redeemer, the Prince of Darkness will be bound for a thousand year*. In today's lesson the Apostle is explaining the re.- pensiMiity of these light ltearors They represent Gcxl in this dark world; they represent Ilis Justice,* Wisdom. Love and Power. They are net able to let all of this glorious light shine, hilt they can do much to bring in a twilight to some. These are not expected to convert the world, but to find a sufficient number of similar characters to complete the foreordained membership in the Bride class. Faithfulness and zeal in this service will determine whether or not they will be worthy a place in the Kingdom and, if worthy, how high an honor! We must "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” llow searching! how positive! More than this: we must not be content with a negative opposition. However wisely we may seek to fulfil these requirements, they are sure

to bring the enmity, disfavor, disappointment of many we love. But as good soldiers of the Lord Jesus we must) be loyal. Tie 'that is asha me d of the Master and Ilis Word and the principles for which He stands, of him will the Savior be ashamed. Evidently the

Apostle does not moan that we shall undertake to reprove everything out of accord with the Divine will, because he mentions the things to be reproved, saying, "It is a shame even to speak of those things which ,are done of them in secret”—uncleanuess, im- | pure practices, etc. We must manifest our disapproval when we are iu close contact with such things. It may not mean that we shall publicly denounce the evil, but it surely does mean that our lives shall be so contrary to all sinful and impute practices that all may take knowledge that we have learned of Jesus! Walk Ye Circumspectly. In view of these things, said the Apostle, the followers Of Jesus should be wise, redeeming the time, ijurehasing it back from world!# cares and pleasures, to have the more to use in the Master’s service! To do this will require that we study the Ford's will. If others are drunk With excessive use of wine, let us be filled with a different kind of wine—the Holy Spirit. If others seek to find joy and solace in intoxicants, let us find ours in being filled with the mind of Christ. This spiritual refreshment will lead us to psalms and hymns, and to make merry iD our hearts to the Lord.

"Works of darkness.”

"Ye are the light of the world "