| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 16 |
Page 3 |
The letter assured these Gentile Christians also that those in conference had all come “to one accord.” That was something wonderful, when we think of the difference of opinion among the members of this council when they first met. The Holy Spirit was evidently in their midst, moving their minds and hearts, and they had love, the one to the other, which inclined them to respect each the other’s opinion. The lesson is one that should be well learned and diligently practiced on all occasions where Christian people meet together. Good men who think at all, differ in opinion on most subjects. No true fellowship can be got anywhere save by mutual concession. It is not right either that all the conceding should be done on one side — both sides should vie in their spirit of tolerance. Even in the truest home, the only basis of perfect accord is mutual yielding in love. Where one stands up, in stubborn self-will, for his personal rights, and demands that all the others shall submit to him, loving fellowship is impossible. There may be the peace of despotism, but not the peace of love. Paul and Barnabas had just come back from the mission field, and they bore the marks of suffering.
Elsewhere, St. Paul, referring to this journey, speaks of bearing in his body “the marks of Jesus.” He was thinking of the stonings and scourgings, and the hardships and sufferings endured as a missionary. There are things from which Christians should keep themselves — things which may not be sinful in themselves, but which would lower the tone of spiritual life and hurt the soul. One essential point of pure religion is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. There are things we dare not touch if we would preserve our souls in purity. There are companionships we must not let into our life, even for an hour, if we would get the beatitude of purity, which our Lord promises. There are things which seem pleasant, but which end in death.
“Look, father,” cried a child, “at the beautiful berries I have found.” The color fled from the father’s face as he asked, with much alarm, “Have you eaten any of them, my child?” No, father; not one.” And as she gave the berries into her father’s hand to be destroyed, tears were in her eye as she asked, “Why, father, what are they?” He father answered, “They are the berries of the deadly nightshade.” The child did not know the death that was hidden in the berries. The world’s pleasures look very attractive to the eyes of some, but ofttimes there lies deadly poison under their fascinating beauty.
Page 3
<< Prior Page 1 2 3 Next Page >>