Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE

BIBLE-STU DTP-ON •

the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:25-35—April 19. •'Whoever will gave his life shall lose it; whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.”—Matthew 16:25.

IT was at the close of the Great Teacher’s ministry. Multitudes were following Him, going up to Jerusalem to the Passover, at which Jesus foreknew He would die as the antitypical Passover Lamb. Today’s lesson gives us some of His teachings. The terms of discipleship which Jesus set forth differ widely from those proclaimed by some who profess to be His mouthpieces. They sometimes declare that to arise and request the prayers of God's people is a sufficient sign of discipleship. Such as do so are

counted converts. To get them even to take this step requires the holding out of some inducement—greater business prosperity, an entrance into society or a better prospect of political preferment. If we contrast these with Jesus’

words in this lesson, we shall perceive that the vast number of nominal Chris tlans have been, so to speak, inveigled into professing what they never intended to profess. Many have been entrapped into professing Christianity who never were Christians, according to the Master’s conditions of discipleship, who never hearken to Ills Word, who are not consecrated to His will.

The Coat of Discipleship, "If any man come to Me, and hate not father, mother, wife, children, brethren, sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” Surely there is no excuse for misunderstanding such plain conditions! The Master's general teaching xyas that the whole world is estranged from God and without right to everlasting life. But He came to die, that they might have opportunity to return to Divine favor. He did not say that only His followers would have an opportunity of future life. Those who so declare are adding to God’s Word something out of harmony with its teachings. The word hate is apparently used in contrast with love. To be Christ’s disciple, then, means that we must so love the Lord and the principles for which He stands that love for others in comparison would be hatred. We are to be ready to sacrifice at the Lord's command every earthly hope, aim, object, and to lay down our lives willingly, gladly. Such as manifest devotion of this kind can be trusted with anything. The fact that Jesus Himself was of this character, and placed the Father’s will above ail else, is an assurance that all His joint-heirs in the Kingdom will have the same spirit. The Kingdom will not be a selfish one, but the very reverse. The kings, princes ahd judges of that Kingdom will be not only irresistible in power, but unbribahle. With them the Divine standard will be first, in the absolute sense.

Definition of Cross-Bearing. Adding to the severity of the terms, Jesus declared, “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come Me, cannot be My disciple.’* After we have taken our stand on the Lord’s side, w'e must be proven. Only those who demonstrate their worthiness by their faithfulness will be finally accepted of the Lord. Cross-bearing must be a daily matter. Our crosses are those oppositions of the world, the flesh and the Devil, which cross the Divine will as laid down in the Lord’s Word. The only proper sentiment Is that which the Master expressed, saying. “Not My will, but Thine, be done.” As advice not to undertake discipleship without mature deliberation. Je-

sus gave a parable of a man who began a tower, but could not complete it. and thus made himself dis reputable, foolish. Another illustration was that of going to war without proper prepa r a t i o n. All Christ’s followers set out to build character, and to

fight a good tigjit against Sahin and sin. Therefore they must expect a hard battle, and must wage a good warfare. “Salt Is Good, But— ’’ Jesus usbd salt as a symbol representing loyalty to God. which all His followers must havq_and maintain. If salt lose its value for seasoning purposes. it is useless. So (he has a special purpose in the world—to be a preserving power, and to bring out the good qualities of others. If he fails to do so. be is of no particular service. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.’’ All Jesus’ followers are to heed these words. Whoever neglects them despises tbe One who gave them, and will surely fall of a blessing that might have been secured. We are not to measure the world by the standards with which we measure ourselves and all professing to be Jesus’ followers. The world’s highest standai-d Is the Golden Rule. The Christian’s highest standard is self-sacrifice in doing the Father’s will.

Cost of discipleship.

Folly of the careless builder