Bible Review V15: October 1916 - March 1918 - Iapsop.com

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86 BIBLE nnvmw Nov.
critical moment?
And if one does not know his brother's
need, and gives him aid of the wrong kind one has done
more harm than good.
Another wise and good Master has said, "But whoso
hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need,
and shutteth his compassion from him, how doth the love
of God abide in him?" Now here is a most critical point
to decide, and only Wisdom can decide it; viz., Whether in
giving aid to a brother or a sister in distress, the neophyte
is meddling "with strife belonging not to him," or
in withholding aid, he "shutteth up his compassion from
him." And often such decisions have to be given so
quickly that unless the principle of wisdom is wellgrounded,
the neophyte cannot decide justly. To know
when to give help and when to withhold it is a narrow,
narrow place on the path, and great harm has been done
both in giving and in withholding by those not having
the guidance of Wisdom.
But where shall the neophyte go to get these principles
of wisdom? He certainly would not be so unwise at the
start as to go to one for guidance who had never been
over the road !
There is only one who has been over the entire road and
that is the Christ. And all who would get over that narrow
road must go to him and get some principles so well
grounded, that no matter how fierce the storm rages, nor
how dark the night, yet shall they see the light of wisdom-the
light that will guide them over the narrow way.
For, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Christ gave many principles to guide the neophyte, for
well he knew how sorely he would be tried, and how
much he would need guidance; having gone over every
step of the way himself, he knew the pitfalls and the
dangers.