Calendar:July 16th to Aug. 15th.
DAILY BIBLE READING:-……July 16th, John 21;
July 31st, Acts 15; Aug. 15th, Rom. 2.
MEMORY WORK:……………………..l John 5. GOOD READING:"Glories of Christ," by C. C. Crowston, pages 1-80.
MONTHLY QUESTION:-What are the characteristic words used by John in his first epistle, and what is their import in relation to his special line of teaching?
Our Memory Work
This month's portion completes John's first epistle; we young believers' department would like to receive the names of those successful in its recitation not later than August 31. Remember the conditions, not more than two slight errors in each chapter, and the recitation to be made before two witnesses.
It was encouraging to receive so many names for our last book, 2 Thessalonians. There were twenty-six in all, a marked increase over the results for several months past. It is hoped that the study of John will yield an equal or even larger number.
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy words were unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts." May this be made good to us also as we study and meditate upon God's holy Word. The prophet made it his food, and he found it yielded fullest delight and satisfaction. It is also by the Word that we grow up into that life which has been begun in us by the Holy Spirit and the Word (1 Pet. 1:23-25; 2:1, 2). From the Word we also receive guidance for our path (Ps. 119:9-16); and it is our weapon for spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:17).
"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! more than honey to my mouth! From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false path."
Our Daily Bible Reading
This month we are engaged almost exclusively in reading the book of Acts. It fills an important place among the New Testament books:it links the Gospels with the Epistles. It sets forth historically the fulfilment of things spoken of by the Lord in His ministry. (1) The assembly is established as announced in Matt. 16-His assembly,, distinct from any other body, as He says "My assembly." It is directly connected with the confession that He is "the Son of God" who has died and is risen-not with His Messiahship, which is connected with the earth. (2) Then, as John records, He gathered together the children of God that were scattered abroad (John 11:52). He brought His sheep out of the Jewish fold, and united them with the other sheep (Gentiles) into one flock. (3) The coming of the Holy Spirit, as was promised, united believers in oneness to the Father and the Son. The realization of this depended upon the coming of the Spirit, the fulfilment of which this book records. (4) It gives an account of how the disciples fulfilled the commission given them by the Lord; for, commencing at Jerusalem, we see the testimony spreading far and wide to other parts. (5) The miracles performed were a fulfilment of the Lord's promise (Mark 17:20). Thus as a history it is the demonstration of the truth of the Lord's ministry here and of the fulfilment of His promises. In this way the book links on to the Gospels.
But it also links with the Epistles in a four-fold theme. (1) Christ, not only risen again, but ascended. It determines the place and portion of His people. (2) It links also with the second coming of Christ, and (3) with the Holy Spirit's indwelling of every believer, uniting them in one body with Christ their Head. (4) The assembly is also made the habitation of God.
We would hardly be able to understand these things without the historical introduction given us in the Acts, which records the establishment of these great facts which distinguish Christianity.
The opening chapters present the actual facts connected with Christ's resurrection and ascension; the announcement of His return; the Holy Spirit's coming, and the beginning of the Assembly. The introduction and promulgation of these great facts occupy the book throughout.
The book also presents the record of what may be called a transition period, in which we can trace the gradual weaning of the recently formed assembly from Jewish influences and prejudices, leading it into the apprehension of this new place, and into the full Christian portion.
The book opens many interesting lines of study. The student might follow in a special way the various addresses delivered by Peter, Paul, and others; or trace out how the presence, power, and activities of the Holy Spirit are presented; or take up the manifest efforts of the enemy to hinder the truth and the special forms of persecution that he used against the Lord's servant. Finally, the chronology of the book in relation to the Epistles, and the travels of Paul.
CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
SOME PRACTICAL TOPICS FOR YOUNG CHRISTIANS
Diligence
"As to diligent zealousness, not slothful; in spirit fervent; serving the Lord" (Rom. 12:11, N. T.).
"He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich" (Prov. 10:4).
These exhortations apply to both our soul's interests and our daily affairs, in which so much of our time is spent. It is, however, all to be entered upon as service to the Lord. We are not to think of ourselves as the servants of men, but of Christ. We are not to be men-pleasers, truckling to their worldly ways and principles, but to walk "worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work." When we take up our daily tasks with the thought of performing them for the Lord, we are at once safeguarded from unseemly behavior which would dishonor His name, and we are also spurred to diligence and fervency. How could it be otherwise when we think of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us; who in the continued exercise of that love is still serving us from the throne of glory.
To lay up treasures we must be diligent. Without a watchful spirit and diligent hand, debts will rise above our gains; evil ways overmaster those of grace, of purity and righteousness, like weeds in an unkept garden. We cannot escape constant exercise, and the use of diligence in all our ways. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with love"- a love which gives Christ the first place.
In a sinful world, labor has become a blessing to man. Idleness produces dangerous conditions, whether in the world at large or in spiritual things. "The diligent shall be made fat." "The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness." The fruits of grace will not thrive in a sluggard's garden. In our spiritual things, as well as in the natural ones, the law of labor holds good, as long as we are in this scene of contrarieties.
If we are to make spiritual progress, and develop in practical holiness, we must put our whole soul into the business. Thus alone can progress in godliness be realized. "Wake up, thou that sleepest; arise from among the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee." In such sunlight alone can the precious fruit of the Spirit grow. Be sure that the cultivation of our spiritual land demands no less care and diligence than the cultivation of the earth, that it may bring forth its fruits. The husbandman finds it real work, and the hindrances many; as the pests are increasing, he finds many difficulties. So does the Christian in his spiritual husbandry. The world, the flesh, and the devil are opposing his progress, but his resources are equal to the greatest difficulties; they are abundant to sustain, to strengthen, and to equip for the conflict.
"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus . . . endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ . . . strive lawfully . . . consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" (2 Tim. 2:1-7).
Correspondence for the Y. B. Dept., please address to Mr. John Bloore, care of Loizeaux Brothers.