Chapter VI: Part III: The Way to Christ (2)

4. How closely are righteousness and life thus united?

“In the way of _righteousness_ is _life_; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” Prov. 12:28.

5. What does he find who follows after righteousness?

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth _life_, righteousness, and honor.” Prov. 21:21.

6. Through what does grace reign unto eternal life?

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign _through righteousness_ unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 5:21.

Healing The Lame Man. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and
walk." Acts 3:6.

7. What is the very life of the Spirit?

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of _righteousness_.” Rom. 8:10.

8. What are the commandments of God declared to be?

“All Thy commandments are _righteousness_.” Ps. 119:172.

9. What did Jesus declare God’s commandment to be?

“And I know that His commandment is _life everlasting_.” John 12:50.

NOTE.—Life and righteousness are thus shown to be inseparable.

10. What does the prophet Jeremiah declare Christ to be?

“And this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer. 23:6.

11. What does Christ declare Himself to be?

“I am the way, the truth, and the _life_.” John 14:6.

12. How is righteousness received?

“For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of _the gift of righteousness_ shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:17.

13. How is eternal life bestowed?

“For the wages of sin is death; but the _gift_ of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

14. What did Moses set forth as the basis of righteousness?

“And _it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments_ before the Lord our God, as He hath commanded us.” Deut. 6:25.

15. What did Christ indicate as essential to eternal life?

“And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but _if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments_.” Matt. 19:17.

NOTE.—The righteousness of God, which is obtained by faith in
Christ, brings with it the life of God, which is inseparably
connected with righteousness; and the life of God, which is
bestowed upon man as a gift through his faith in Christ, is a life
of righteousness,—the righteousness, or right-doing, of Christ.

Consecration

The Carpenter’s Son. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus." Phil. 2:5.

1. What offering did King Hezekiah command to be made when he reestablished the worship of the temple?

“And Hezekiah commanded to offer the _burnt offering_ upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.” 2 Chron. 29:27.

2. After the people had united in this service, how did Hezekiah interpret its meaning?

“Then Hezekiah answered and said, _Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord_, come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of the Lord. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.” Verse 31.

NOTE.—The morning and the evening burnt offering, or the continual
offering (Ex. 29:42), symbolized the daily consecration of the
people to the Lord.

3. How is this consecration urged upon all Christians?

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1.

4. What is the continual sacrifice of praise declared to be?

“Through Him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to His name.” Heb. 13:15, R. V.

5. How is the service of consecration to be carried forward by the Christian church?

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, _to offer up spiritual sacrifices_, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.

6. Who has set the example of complete consecration?

“And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as _the Son of man_ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt. 20: 27, 28.

7. What position has Jesus taken among His brethren?

“For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but _I am among you as he that serveth_.” Luke 22:27.

8. In what does likeness to Christ consist?

“Let this _mind_ be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5.

9. What did Christ’s spirit of meekness and consecration lead Him to do?

“But made Himself of no reputation, and _took upon Him the form of a servant_, and was made in the likeness of men.” Verse 7.

10. To what extent did Christ humble Himself?

“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient _unto death, even the death of the cross_.” Verse 8.

11. How does He exhort us to the same consecration?

“_Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me_; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:29.

12. What does He make the condition of discipleship?

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33.

13. What is proof that one does not belong to Christ?

“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Rom. 8:9.

14. How should he walk who professes to abide in Christ?

“He that saith he abideth in Him _ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked_.” 1 John 2:6.

15. Do we belong to ourselves?

“Know ye not that ... _ye are not your own_? for ye are bought with a price.” 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

16. What are we therefore exhorted to do?

“Therefore _glorify God in your body, and in your spirit_, which are God’s.” Verse 20.

NOTE.—Our time, strength, and means are God’s, and should be given
to His service.

17. Of what are the bodies of Christians the temple?

“What? know ye not that your body is _the temple of the Holy Ghost_ which is in you, which ye have of God?” Verse 19.

18. When truly consecrated, for what is one ready?

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? _Then said I, Here am I; send me._” Isa. 6:8.

19. How is this willingness for service otherwise expressed?

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; _so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God_.” Ps. 123:2.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee!
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee;
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.

Take my will, and make it Thine:
It shall be no longer mine!
Take my heart,—it is Thine own,—It
shall be Thy royal throne.
FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

Bible Election

The Ten Virgins. "They that were ready went in with him to the marriage."
Matt. 25:10.

1. What does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?

“Wherefore ... brethren, _give diligence to make your calling and election sure_.” 2 Peter 1:10.

NOTE.—This text at once reveals the fact that our salvation, so
far as our own individual cases are concerned, is dependent upon
our own action. We are elected to be saved; but we are to give
diligence to make this election _sure_. If we do not, it will not
meet its purpose in our case, and we shall be lost.

2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same truth?

“Behold, I come quickly: _hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown_.” Rev. 3:11.

NOTE.—Crowns have been prepared for each of the finally redeemed.
Every soul is a candidate in the race for eternal life, and hence
for a crown. Faith in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will
hold it fast.

3. Upon what condition is the crown of life promised?

“_Be thou faithful unto death_, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10.

4. In whom, and from what time, have we been chosen unto holiness and salvation?

“According as He hath chosen us _in Him_ [_Christ_] _before the foundation of the world_.” Eph. 1:4, first part.

5. What is the character of those thus chosen before the foundation of the world?

“That we should be _holy_ and _without blemish_ before Him in love.” Same verse, last part, R. V.

6. To what has God foreordained those who attain to this character?

“Having foreordained us _unto adoption as sons_ through Jesus Christ unto Himself.” Verse 5, R. V.

7. According to what does God call us?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called _according to His purpose_.” Rom. 8:28.

8. According to what have we been predestinated?

“Being predestinated _according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will_.” Eph. 1:11.

9. How many does God desire to be saved?

“_Who will have all men to be saved_, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim. 2:4.

10. Upon what condition is salvation offered?

“_Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

11. For how long must this faith be preserved in order to bring final salvation?

“_He that shall endure unto the end_, the same shall be saved.” Matt. 24:13. See James 1:12; Rev. 2:10.

12. What scripture is sometimes cited as evidence that God is arbitrary in His dealings with men?

“Therefore hath He mercy on whom He _will_ have mercy, and whom He _will_ He hardeneth.” Rom. 9:18.

13. But what other scripture shows with whom God _wills_ to be merciful, and with whom otherwise?

“With the _merciful_ Thou wilt show Thyself _merciful_; with an _upright_ man Thou wilt show Thyself _upright_; with the _pure_ Thou wilt show Thyself _pure_; and with the _froward_ Thou wilt show Thyself _froward_.” Ps. 18:25, 26. See also Isa. 55:7.

NOTE.—God wills that men shall be saved. He has foreordained the
characters that will entitle men to salvation, but He does not
_compel_ any one to receive Christ, possess this character, and be
saved. This is a matter of individual choice. By His mighty acts
and judgments in Egypt, God “hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” Ex. 7:3,
13, 22. But the same manifestations _softened_ the hearts of
others. The difference was in the _hearts_, and in the way God’s
message and dealings were received; not in God. The same sun which
melts the wax hardens the clay. Ex. 8:32 says that Pharaoh
hardened his own heart.

14. What, on man’s part, is essential to salvation?

“_Choose_ ye this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15. “If any man _willeth to do His will_, he shall know of the teaching.” John 7:17, R. V. “_Believe_ on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. “Whosoever _will_, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

NOTE.—A man once wished to join a certain church, but said he
could not do so on account of the views this church held on the
subject of “election.” The minister to whom he was sent for help
and enlightenment, failing to make the matter clear, an old
colored man, a layman, came to the rescue, and said: “Brother,
this is the very easiest thing in the church. You see, it is like
this: The votin’ is goin’ on all the time; and God, He is votin’
for you; and the devil, he is votin’ agin you; and whichever way
_you_ vote, that is the way the _election_ goes.” Commenting upon
this incident, Rev. Wilbur Chapman, the noted evangelist, says: “I
have studied theology some myself, and graduated at a theological
seminary; but I never got anything quite so good as that.”

15. In what fact may every believer rejoice?

“But rejoice _that your names are written in heaven_.” Luke 10:20, R. V.

16. Whose names are to be retained in the book of life?

“_He that overcometh_, ... I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” Rev. 3:5.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

O, happy day! that fixed my choice
On Thee, My Saviour and my God;
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.

’Tis done, the great transaction’s done;
I am my Lord’s, and he is mine;
He drew me, and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.

Now rest, my long-divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center rest;
Nor ever from thy Lord depart,
With Him of every good possessed.
PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

Bible Sanctification

Moses At The Burning Bush. "The place whereon thou standest is holy
ground." Ex. 3:5.

1. What inspired prayer sets the standard of Christian experience?

“And the very God of peace _sanctify you wholly_; and I pray God your whole _spirit_ and _soul_ and _body_ be preserved _blameless_ unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23.

2. How necessary is the experience of sanctification?

“Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification _without which no man shall see the Lord_.” Heb. 12:14, R. V.

3. What encouragement is held out as an aid in attaining this experience?

“For _this is the will of God_, even your sanctification.” 1 Thess. 4:3.

NOTE.—Whatever is the will of God concerning us can be realized in
our experience if our wills are in harmony with His will. It is
therefore a matter of great encouragement to know that our
sanctification is included in the will of God.

4. What distinct purpose did Christ have in giving Himself for the church?

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; _that He might sanctify and cleanse it_ with the washing of water by the word.” Eph. 5:25, 26.

5. What kind of church would He thus be able to present to Himself?

“That He might present it to Himself _a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing_; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Verse 27.

6. In the experience of sanctification, what attitude must one assume toward the truth?

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and _belief of the truth_.” 2 Thess. 2:13.

7. What instruction shows that sanctification is a progressive work?

“But _grow_ in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18. See chap. 1:5-7.

8. What description of the apostle Paul’s experience is in harmony with this?

“Brethren, _I count not myself to have apprehended_: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, _I press toward the mark_ of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13, 14.

9. By what is this cleansing from sin and fitting for God’s service accomplished?

“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the _blood of Christ_, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, _purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God_?” Heb. 9:13, 14. See also chap. 10:29.

10. What change is thus brought about?

“And be not conformed to this world: but _be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind_, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Rom. 12:2.

11. Can any one boast of sinlessness?

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8.

12. What are we exhorted by the prophet to seek?

“Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; _seek righteousness, seek meekness_: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zeph. 2:3.

13. In whose name should everything be done?

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, _do all in the name of the Lord Jesus_.” Col. 3:17.

14. In all we do, whose glory should we have in view?

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, _do all to the glory of God_.” 1 Cor. 10:31.

15. What classes of persons are necessarily shut out of the kingdom of God?

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Eph. 5:5. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.

16. What must be crucified and eliminated from our lives if we would be holy?

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Col. 3:5, 6.

17. When purged from these sins, in what condition is a man, and for what is he prepared?

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, _he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work_.” 2 Tim. 2:21.

NOTE.—“Sanctification is the term used to describe the work of God
the Holy Ghost upon the character of those who are justified. We
are justified in order that we may be sanctified, and we are
sanctified in order that we may be glorified. ‘Whom He justified,
them He also glorified.’ Rom. 8:30. The grace of God is given to
make us holy, and so to fit us for God’s presence in eternity; for
’without holiness no man shall see the Lord.’ Heb. 12:14.”—“_The
Catholic Religion_” (_Episcopal_), _by Rev. Vernon Staley, page
327_.

Importance Of Sound Doctrine

Ezra Reading The Law. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." 1
Thess. 5:21.

1. Does it matter what one believes, so long as he is sincere?

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit _and belief of the truth_.” 2 Thess. 2:13.

NOTE.—Doctrine affects the _life_. Truth leads to life and God;
error to death and destruction. No one would think of saying it
matters not what _god_ one worships, so long as he is sincere, any
more than he would think of saying it matters not what one _eats_
or _drinks_, so long as he _relishes_ what he eats and drinks; or
what _road_ he travels, so long as he _thinks_ he is on the right
road. Sincerity is a virtue; but it is not the test of sound
doctrine. God wills that we shall know the _truth_, and He has
made provision whereby we may know what is truth.

2. Did Joshua think it immaterial what God Israel served?

“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and _put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord_. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but _as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord_.” Joshua 24:14, 15.

NOTE.—The influence of all idolatrous worship is degrading. See
Rom. 1:21-32; Numbers 15; 1 Cor. 10:20; 1 John 5:21.

3. How may we determine the truthfulness of any doctrine?

“_Prove all things_; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21.

4. By what should we test, or prove, all doctrine?

“_To the law and to the testimony_: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20.

NOTE.—The Bible is the test of all doctrine. Whatever does not
harmonize and square with this, is not to be received. “There is
but one standard of the everlastingly right and the everlastingly
wrong, and that is the Bible.”—T. DE WITT TALMAGE.

5. Of what kind of doctrines should we beware?

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every _wind of doctrine_.” Eph. 4:14. See also Heb. 13:9.

6. What is a “wind of doctrine”?

“And the prophets shall become _wind_; and _the word is not in them_.” Jer. 5:13.

NOTE.—Calling a doctrine a wind of doctrine does not make it such.
That is a wind of doctrine which is not sustained by the Word of
God.

7. For what is all scripture profitable?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is _profitable for doctrine_.” 2 Tim. 3:16.

8. What advice was given to Timothy while preparing for the gospel ministry?

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to _doctrine_.... Take heed unto thyself, and unto the _doctrine_.” 1 Tim. 4:13-16.

9. What solemn charge was given him concerning his public work?

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; _Preach the word; ... reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine_.” 2 Tim. 4:1, 2.

10. Why did the apostle say this duty was so imperative?

“_For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine_; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; _and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables_.” Verses 3, 4.

11. What similar instruction was given to Titus?

“But speak thou the things which become _sound doctrine_: ... in all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: _in doctrine showing uncorruptness_, gravity, sincerity.” Titus 2:1-7.

12. What will sound doctrine enable the faithful teacher to do?

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able _by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers_.” Titus 1:9.

13. What danger attends the teaching of false doctrine?

“Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and _overthrow the faith of some_.” 2 Tim. 2:18.

14. Who are the disciples of Jesus, and what gracious work does the truth do for those who receive it?

“_If ye continue in My word_, then are ye My disciples indeed; and _ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free_.” John 8:31, 32.

15. Through what are they to be sanctified?

“Sanctify them through _Thy truth_: Thy word is truth.” John 17:17.

16. What kind of worship results from false teaching?

“_But in vain they do worship Me_, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt. 15:9.

17. Can we close our ears to truth, and remain innocent before God?

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, _even his prayer shall be abomination_.” Prov. 28:9.

18. What did Christ say of those who will to do God’s will?

“If any man willeth to do His will, _he shall know of the teaching_, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself.” John 7:17, R. V. See also Ps. 25: 9; John 8:12.

19. What will God allow to come to those who reject truth?

“Because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them _strong delusion_, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:10-12.

20. By what doctrines are some to be misled in the last days?

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and _doctrines of devils_.” 1 Tim. 4:1. See 2 Peter 2:1.

21. What fate awaits blind teachers and their followers?

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, _both shall fall into the ditch_.” Matt. 15:14.

22. To whom will the gates of the heavenly city finally be opened?

“Open ye the gates, that _the righteous nation which keepeth the truth_ may enter in.” Isa. 26:2. See also Rev. 22:14.

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Truth is the gem for which we seek,
O tell us where shall it be found!
For this we search, and pray, and weep,
That truth may in our hearts abound.

We want the truth on every point,
We want it all to practise by;
Do thou, O Lord, our eyes anoint
With a fresh unction from on high.
CHARLOTTE HASKINS.

Present Truth

Nehemiah Viewing The Ruins Of Jerusalem. "And they said, Let us rise up
and build." Neh. 2:18.

1. By what are men sanctified?

“Sanctify them _through Thy truth_: Thy word is truth.” John 17:17.

2. To what knowledge would God have all men come?

“Who will have all men to be saved, and _to come unto the knowledge of the truth_.” 1 Tim. 2:4.

3. After receiving a _knowledge_ of the truth, what must one do in order to be sanctified by it?

“God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and _belief of the truth_.” 2 Thess. 2:13.

4. And what besides a mere belief in the truth is necessary?

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, _unto obedience_.” 1 Peter 1:2.

5. What effect does obedience to the truth have?

“Seeing _ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth_ through the Spirit.” Verse 22.

6. How should the truth ever be cherished?

“Buy the truth, and _sell it not_.” Prov. 23:23.

NOTE.—That is, buy the truth at whatever sacrifice or cost, and
sell it under no consideration.

7. Does the Bible recognize what may be called “present truth”?

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the _present truth_.” 2 Peter 1:12.

NOTE.—Some truths are applicable in all ages, and are therefore
_present_ truth for every generation; others are of a special
character, and are applicable to only one generation. They are
none the less important, however, because of this; for upon their
acceptance or rejection depends the salvation or loss of the
people of that generation. Of this kind was Noah’s message of a
coming flood. To the generation to whom it was preached that
message was _present truth_; to later generations it has been
_past truth_, and not a present, testing message. Similarly, had
the first advent message of John the Baptist, of the Messiah at
hand, been proclaimed in the generation either before or after
John’s time, it would not have been applicable—would not have been
_present truth_. The people of the generation before would not
have lived to see it fulfilled, and to those living after, it
would have been wrongly timed. Not so with general truths, such as
love, faith, hope, repentance, obedience, justice, and mercy.
These are always in season, and of a saving nature at all times.
Present truths, however, always include all these, and hence are
saving in character, and of vital importance.

8. What was the special message for Noah’s day?

“And God said unto Noah, _The end of all flesh is come_ before Me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, _I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopherwood._” Gen. 6:13, 14.

9. How did Noah show his faith in this message?

“_By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark_ to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Heb. 11:7.

10. How many were saved in the ark?

“The long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, _eight souls were saved by water_.” 1 Peter 3:20.

NOTE.—Doubtless many who were lost in the flood held, in a nominal
way, to faith in God; but the test as to the genuineness of this
came with Noah’s special message; and the difference between their
faith and his was made plain when they rejected the saving truth
for that time,—the warning message concerning the coming flood.

11. What special message was given to Jonah for Nineveh?

“So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.... And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, _Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown_.” Jonah 3:3, 4.

12. What saved the people from the predicted overthrow?

“So the people of Nineveh _believed_ God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.... And God saw their works, that _they turned from their evil way_; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not.” Verses 5-10. See Jer. 18:7-10.

NOTE.—So likewise would God have spared the antediluvian world had
they received Noah’s message, and turned from their evil ways.

13. What was the special mission of John the Baptist?

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, _to bear witness of the Light_, that all men through Him might believe.” John 1:6, 7.

14. What answer did he return when asked concerning his mission?

“He said, _I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias_.” Verse 23.

15. What did Christ say of those who rejected John’s message?

“But the Pharisees and lawyers _rejected the counsel of God against themselves_, being not baptized of him.” Luke 7:30.

16. What did those do who were baptized of John?

“And all the people that heard Him, and the publicans, _justified God_, being baptized with the baptism of John.” Verse 29.

NOTE.—That is, they honored God by this act, which showed their
faith in His truth for that time.

17. Did God’s chosen people receive Christ when He came?

“He came unto His own, and _His own received Him not_.” John 1:11.

18. What reason did they give for not receiving Him?

“We know that God spake unto Moses: _as for this fellow, we know not from whence He is_.” John 9:29.

NOTE.—That was the trouble; they had no faith in anything new.
They _knew_ that God spoke by Moses: it required little faith to
believe that. They felt perfectly safe in accepting him, for
everything had demonstrated that he was sent of God. All could see
that. But here was One whom, although He had come in fulfilment of
the prophecies of Moses and the prophets as their long-looked-for
Messiah, they felt there was a risk in accepting, because they did
not understand the prophecies relating to Him, and time had not
worked out to their satisfaction the truthfulness of His claims.
It required too much _faith_, as against their desire to walk by
_sight_, to accept Christ. It also called for a change of views in
some things, and a reformation in life. So they rejected Him. They
believed in the flood, faith in which had saved Noah; they
believed in Elijah also, and professed faith in all the prophets;
but when it came to this special truth for their time, they
refused to accept it. Thus it has been in all ages, and thus we
may expect it to continue to be to the end.

19. How did Christ say those who rejected Him reasoned?

“Ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Matt. 23:29, 30.

NOTE.—While they condemned the action of their fathers in slaying
the prophets whom God had sent with messages of reproof and
warning applicable to those times, they soon filled up the measure
of the iniquity of their fathers by putting to death the Son of
God. This showed that they would have done as did their fathers
had they lived in their day. Thus we see that present truths are
testing truths.

20. What was the result of the Jews’ not accepting Christ?

“And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but _now they are hid from thine eyes_.” Luke 19:41, 42. “Behold, your house is left unto you _desolate_.” Matt. 23:38.

21. Is there to be a special message for the last days?

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. _Who then is a faithful and wise servant_, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, _to give them meat in due season_?” Matt. 24:44, 45.

NOTE.—In the last days a message will go forth which will be “meat
in due season” to the people. This must be the warning concerning
the Lord’s soon coming, and the preparation necessary to meet Him.
Because such a message was not always preached, is no evidence
that it is not now to be proclaimed. In his farewell address to
the Pilgrim Fathers on their departure from Holland for America,
John Robinson said: “The Lord knoweth whether I shall ever see
your faces more; but whether the Lord hath appointed that or not,
I charge you before God and His blessed angels to follow me no
farther than I have followed Christ. If God should reveal anything
to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready to receive it
as you ever were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am
very confident that the Lord hath more truth and light yet to
break forth out of His Holy Word. For my part, I cannot
sufficiently bewail the condition of the Reformed churches, who
are come to a period in religion, and will go no farther than the
instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to
go any farther than what Luther saw; and the Calvinists, you see,
stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet
saw not all things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for
though they were burning and shining lights in their time, yet
they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God, but were they
now living, would be as willing to embrace further light as that
which they first received.”

22. What does Christ say of that servant who, when He comes, is found giving “meat in due season”?

“_Blessed_ is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Verse 46.

NOTES.—The coming of Christ in glory has been the hope of the
faithful in all ages.

Luther declared: “I persuade myself verily, that the day of
judgment will not be absent full three hundred years. God will
not, cannot, suffer this wicked world much longer. The great day
is drawing near in which the kingdom of abominations shall be
overthrown.”

Melanchthon said: “This aged world is not far from its end.”

Calvin bade Christians “not to hesitate, ardently desiring the day
of Christ’s coming as of all events most auspicious;” and declared
that “the whole human family of the faithful will keep in view
that day.” “We must hunger after Christ, we must seek,
contemplate,” he adds, “till the dawning of that great day, when
our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom.”

Said Knox, the Scotch Reformer: “Has not our Lord Jesus carried up
our flesh into heaven? and shall He not return? We know that He
shall return, and that with expedition.”

Ridley and Latimer, who laid down their lives for the truth,
looked in faith for the Lord’s coming. Ridley wrote: “The world
without doubt—this I do believe, and therefore I say it—draws to
an end.”

Said Baxter: “The thoughts of the coming of the Lord are most
sweet and joyful to me. It is the work of faith and the character
of His saints to love His appearing, and to look for that blessed
hope.”

23. What will be the burden of the closing gospel message?

“Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.... Babylon is fallen, is fallen.... If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14:7-10.

24. How are those described who accept this message?

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Verse 12.

25. How earnestly is this work to be prosecuted?

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, _and compel them to come in_, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23.

NOTE.—This work is now going on. In every part of the world the
sound of this closing gospel message is being heard, and the
people are being urged to accept it, and to prepare for Christ’s
coming and kingdom. See readings on pages 251-263.

The Obedience Of Faith

Abraham Entering The Promised Land. "By faith Abraham, when he was called
to go out ... obeyed." Heb. 11:8.

1. What did the Lord command Abraham to do?

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, _Get thee out of thy country_, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, _unto a land that I will show thee_.” Gen. 12:1.

2. How did Abraham respond to this command?

“_So Abram departed_, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.” Verse 4.

3. Of what was Abraham’s obedience the fruit?

“By _faith_ Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Heb. 11:8, R. V.

4. What command did the Lord later give to Abraham?

“And He said, _Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest_, and get thee into the land of Moriah; _and offer him therefor a burnt offering_ upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Gen. 22:2.

5. Upon what ground were the previous promises then renewed to Abraham?

“And said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for _because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son_: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the world be blessed; _because thou hast obeyed My voice_.” Verses 16-18.

6. What enabled Abraham to endure the test?

“By _faith_ Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.” Heb. 11:17.

7. Of what were the works of Abraham an evidence?

“Was not Abraham our father _justified_ by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” James 2:21.

8. By his works what was shown to be perfect?

“Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and _by works was faith made perfect_?” Verse 22.

9. In what statement of the scripture was Abraham’s obedience really implied?

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, _Abraham believed God_, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” Verse 23.

10. What kind of faith avails with God?

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but _faith which worketh by love_.” Gal. 5:6.

NOTE.—The faith which justifies is the faith which works. Those
who say, and do not, are not men of faith. The obedience which is
pleasing to God is the fruit of that faith which takes God at His
word, and submits to the working of His power, being fully assured
that what He has promised He is able also to perform. This is the
faith which is reckoned for righteousness. See Rom. 4:21, 22.

11. For what purpose is the mystery of the gospel made manifest?

“But now [the mystery] is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations _for the obedience of faith_.” Rom. 16:26.

12. For what purpose is the grace of Christ received?

“Through whom we received grace and apostleship, _unto obedience of faith_ among all the nations, for His name’s sake.” Rom. 1:5, R. V.

13. What example of obedience has Christ set for us?

“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and _became obedient unto death_, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8.

14. At what cost did even He learn the lesson of obedience?

“Though He were a Son, yet _learned He obedience by the things which He suffered_.” Heb. 5:8.

15. To whom did Christ become the author of salvation?

“And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation _unto all them that obey Him_.” Verse 9.

16. How complete should this obedience be?

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and _bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ_.” 2 Cor. 10:5.

17. What effect did the preaching of the apostles have upon the hearers?

“And the word of God increased; and _the number of the disciples multiplied_ in Jerusalem greatly; _and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith_.” Acts 6:7.

18. What effect did the preaching of the apostle Paul have upon the Gentiles?

“For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, _to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed_.” Rom. 15:18.

19. How highly does God regard obedience?

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, _to obey is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams_.” 1 Sam. 15:22.

20. With what sins are rebellion and stubbornness classed?

“For rebellion is as _the sin of witchcraft_, and stubbornness is as _iniquity_ and _idolatry_. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king.” Verse 23.

Ruth And Naomi. "Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Ruth
1:16.

21. Whose voice had more weight with Saul than had the commandment of God?

“And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because _I feared the people, and obeyed their voice_.” Verse 24.

22. What charge did Jesus bring against the Pharisees?

“And He said unto them, Full well _ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition_.” Mark 7:9.

NOTE.—Human tradition is simply the voice of man preserved in the
church. To follow the traditions of men instead of obeying the
commandments of God is to repeat the sin of Saul.

23. What will be the fate of those who do not obey the gospel of Christ?

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire _taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ_.” 2 Thess. 1:7, 8.

24. What condition is attained in obeying the truth?

“Seeing ye have _purified your souls in obeying the truth_ through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” 1 Peter 1:22.

25. What promise is made to the obedient?

“If ye be willing and obedient, _ye shall eat the good of the land_.” Isa. 1:19.

26. Whose example are we urged to imitate?

“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them _who through faith and patience inherit the promises_.” Heb. 6:12.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said;
To harken when He commandeth, than an offering made.

All ye who say, “There is naught to do since Christ doth save,”
Remember what He commands you in the Book He gave.

Remember only the doers of the word are blessed;
’Tis well to hear and believe it, but to do is best.

F. E. BELDEN.