按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
to die。 There rose up before Him a vision of Lucifer； the 〃son of the morning；〃 in glory surpassing all the angels that surround the throne； and united in closest ties to the Son of God。 Lucifer had said； 〃I will be like the Most High〃 （Isa。 14：12； 14）； and the desire for self…exaltation had brought strife into the heavenly courts； and had banished a multitude of the hosts of God。 Had Lucifer really desired to be like the Most High； he would never have deserted his appointed place in heaven； for the spirit of the Most High is manifested in unselfish ministry。 Lucifer desired God's power； but not His character。 He sought for himself the highest
436
place； and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same。 Thus alienation； discord； and strife will be inevitable。 Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest。 The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force； every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement； or a steppingstone on which he himself may climb to a higher place。
While Lucifer counted it a thing to be grasped to be equal with God； Christ； the Exalted One； 〃made Himself of no reputation； and took upon Him the form of a servant； and was made in the likeness of men： and being found in fashion as a man； He humbled Himself； and became obedient unto death； even the death of the cross。〃 Phil。 2：7； 8。 Now the cross was just before Him； and His own disciples were so filled with self…seekingthe very principle of Satan's kingdomthat they could not enter into sympathy with their Lord； or even understand Him as He spoke of His humiliation for them。
Very tenderly； yet with solemn emphasis； Jesus tried to correct the evil。 He showed what is the principle that bears sway in the kingdom of heaven； and in what true greatness consists； as estimated by the standard of the courts above。 Those who were actuated by pride and love of distinction were thinking of themselves； and of the rewards they were to have； rather than how they were to render back to God the gifts they had received。 They would have no place in the kingdom of heaven； for they were identified with the ranks of Satan。
Before honor is humility。 To fill a high place before men； Heaven chooses the worker who； like John the Baptist； takes a lowly place before God。 The most childlike disciple is the most efficient in labor for God。 The heavenly intelligences can co…operate with him who is seeking； not to exalt self； but to save souls。 He who feels most deeply his need of divine aid will plead for it； and the Holy Spirit will give unto him glimpses of Jesus that will strengthen and uplift the soul。 From communion with Christ he will go forth to work for those who are perishing in their sins。 He is anointed for his mission； and he succeeds where many of the learned and intellectually wise would fail。
But when men exalt themselves； feeling that they are a necessity for the success of God's great plan； the Lord causes them to be set aside。 It is made evident that the Lord is not dependent upon them。 The work does not stop because of their removal from it； but goes forward with greater power。
437
It was not enough for the disciples of Jesus to be instructed as to the nature of His kingdom。 What they needed was a change of heart that would bring them into harmony with its principles。 Calling a little child to Him； Jesus set him in the midst of them； then tenderly folding the little one in His arms He said； 〃Except ye be converted； and become as little children； ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven。〃 The simplicity； the self…forgetfulness； and the confiding love of a little child are the attributes that Heaven values。 These are the characteristics of real greatness。
Again Jesus explained to the disciples that His kingdom is not characterized by earthly dignity and display。 At the feet of Jesus all these distinctions are forgotten。 The rich and the poor； the learned and the ignorant； meet together； with no thought of caste or worldly preeminence。 All meet as blood…bought souls； alike dependent upon One who has redeemed them to God。
The sincere； contrite soul is precious in the sight of God。 He places His own signet upon men； not by their rank； not by their wealth； not by their intellectual greatness； but by their oneness with Christ。 The Lord of glory is satisfied with those who are meek and lowly in heart。 〃Thou hast also given me；〃 said David； 〃the shield of Thy salvation： 。 。 。 and Thy gentleness〃as an element in the human character〃hath made me great。〃 Ps。 18：35。
〃Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name；〃 said Jesus； 〃receiveth Me： and whosoever shall receive Me； receiveth not Me； but Him that sent Me。〃 〃Thus saith the Lord； The heaven is My throne； and the earth is My footstool： 。 。 。 but to this man will I look； even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit； and trembleth at My word。〃 Isa。 66：1； 2。
The Saviour's words awakened in the disciples a feeling of self…distrust。 No one had been specially pointed out in the reply； but John was led to question whether in one case his action had been right。 With the spirit of a child he laid the matter before Jesus。 〃Master；〃 he said； 〃we saw one casting out devils in Thy name； and he followeth not us： and we forbade him； because he followeth not us。〃
James and John had thought that in checking this man they had had in view their Lord's honor； they began to see that they were jealous for their own。 They acknowledged their error； and accepted the reproof of Jesus； 〃Forbid him not： for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name； that can lightly speak evil of Me。〃 None who showed
438
themselves in any way friendly to Christ were to be repulsed。 There were many who had been deeply moved by the character and the work of Christ； and whose hearts were opening to Him in faith； and the disciples； who could not read motives； must be careful not to discourage these souls。 When Jesus was no longer personally among them； and the work was left in their hands； they must not indulge a narrow； exclusive spirit； but manifest the same far…reaching sympathy which they had seen in their Master。
The fact that one does not in all things conform to our personal ideas or opinions will not justify us in forbidding him to labor for God。 Christ is the Great Teacher； we are not to judge or to command； but in humility each is to sit at the feet of Jesus； and learn of Him。 Every soul whom God has made willing is a channel through which Christ will reveal His pardoning love。 How careful we should be lest we discourage one of God's light bearers； and thus intercept the rays that He would have shine to the world！
Harshness or coldness shown by a disciple toward one whom Christ was drawingsuch an act as that of John in forbidding one to work miracles in Christ's namemight result in turning the feet into the path of the enemy； and causing the loss of a soul。 Rather than for one to do this； said Jesus； 〃it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck； and he were cast into the sea。〃 And He added； 〃If thy hand cause thee to stumble； cut it off： it is good for thee to enter into life maimed； rather than having thy two hands to go into hell； into the unquenchable fire。 And if thy foot cause thee to stumble； cut it off： it is good for thee to enter into life halt； rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell。〃 Mark 9：43…45； R。 V。
Why this earnest language； than which none can be stronger？ Because 〃the Son of man is come to save that which was lost。〃 Shall His disciples show less regard for the souls of their fellow men than the Majesty of heaven has shown？ Every soul has cost an infinite price； and how terrible is the sin of turning one soul away from Christ； so that for him the Saviour's love and humiliation and agony shall have been in vain。
〃Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling！ for it must needs be that the occasions come。〃 Matt。 18：7； R。 V。 The world； inspired by Satan； will surely oppose the followers of Christ； and seek to destroy their faith； but woe to him who has taken Christ's name； and yet is found
439
doing this work。 Our Lord is put to shame by those who claim to serve Him； but who misrepresent His character； and multitudes are deceived； and led into false paths。
Any habit or practice that would lead into sin； and bring dishonor upon Christ； would better be put away； whatever the sacrifice。 That which dishonors God cannot benefit the soul。 The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right。 And one sin cherished is sufficient to work the degradation of the character； and to mislead others。 If the foot or the hand would be cut off； or even the eye would be plucked out； to save the body from death； how much more earnest should we be to put away sin； that brings death to the soul！
In the ritual service； salt was added to every sacrifice。 This； like the offering of incense； signified that only the righteousness of Christ could make the service acceptable to God。 Referring to this practice； Jesus said； 〃Every sacrifice s