Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

wilt."well."will"suddenly."might"portunity that we have now may nevercome again. Now is the time.The leper came humbly. He prostrated himself so low that Jesus might haveput His foot on his neck. He was notafraid to put himself whollyinJesus'power. He fully believed that Jesus wasable to heal him. He besought him. Thatis a strong word for asking. He felt hisown hopelessness and distress, and hada deep appreciation of the joyof freedom from his disease that was worsethan imprisonment. He had no doubt ofChrist's power. Knowing his own unworthiness, he seemed to be uncertainabout Christ's willingness. "If thouThe lepers were called the untouchables. Theywere not allowed to touchanyone, and must warn all who werenear them, so that they would not betouched. Christ gave His first answer tothis man by touching him. Not since hehad become a leper had he felt the touchof human hand that was not also leprous.Recent Christian work among lepershas led to some interesting discoveries.contageousor hereditary. And whereLeprosy is not necessarily eitherdestruction has not already advanced toofar, leprosy can be healed. Christ taughtus to avoid sin, not to avoid sinners. Itis a terrible mistake to attempt to safeguard children by warning them againstcertain of their playmates because weconsider them bad. It is dangerous totrust the influence of other children because we think they are good. It is notfolks that are good or bad, it is whatthey do. Regardless of what others do,we should "cease to do evil, learn to doChrist did not flee from the leper. Hetouched him, and said, "Iandimmediately the leper was healed. Sincethey were in a city, this miracle wouldcertainly draw such crowds as to interfere with their work. There wereother reasons why Christ charged thehealed man to go quietly to the priestto be examined before he talked aboutit. There was a regular order by whichthe priest was to declare one free fromleprosy (Leviticus 14). Christ, althoughHe knew the man was healed, sent himto fulfill the law before declaring hissalvation. People are not inclined totrust one's profession of a sudden salvation until he has lived it for awhile. Others told the story, and a multitude cameto hear and to be healed.The Calling of an ApostleMatthew was a tax-collector. Whenthe publicans asked John what theyshould do, he told them to be honest. Hedid not say anything250about theiroccu-pation, although it was in bad repute.It may be difficult for an honest lawyerto succeed financially. But he can be anhonest lawyer. Zacchaeus, a publican,confessed that he had not been honest,and he made restitution.There is no suggestion that Matthewhad been in any way dishonest in hisoffice. It seems evident that he and thefishermen had known Christ and hadbeen his disciples before the special callcame to them. Paul was not called intospecial service immediatelyconversion.after hisThe immediate answer of Matthewand the fishermen does not mean thatthey left their work without providingthat it would be taken care of. Matthewdid not jump up from the table and runaway leavingall his accounts and themoney scattered around without anyoneto take care of them. The fishermen didnot leave their ships with nets wet andtangled, and their day's catch to rot.They left them with their fathers afterseeing that they had sufficient help tocarry on their trade. Indeed it appearsthat they still owned the ships afterChrist had risen from the dead.Paul advised Timothy to "lay handson no manA new convertshould not be put into a responsibleposition until he has demonstrated hissalvation by living it. Paul was not advising what was contrary to the practice of Christ.Matthew Plans for Sinners to MeetChristA sure way to get folks to church,or prayer meeting, is to have a dinner.If Matthew invited the Pharisees to hisfeast, they did not attend. But theywatched and were offended that Christwas there. One Sabbath night I wentwith a C. E. group for a meeting withthe hoboes that were allowed shelter ina large basement room in the HomeHotel in Pittsburgh. There were about50 "Knights of the Road" there thatnight. A man made a very touching address on "Jesus, a Friend." I thinkChrist was there. I was told that on another night two of those ragged mensaw where the Youngchurch just around the corner,People went toand decided to go in. They were met in thelobby and ordered out. What would wedo with them if they came into ourchurch?Christ said He came to save sinners.Who are the sinners? Rags and dirt donot make sinners, nor do fine clothesmake saints. Dives was a sinner, thoughhe probably had a cushioned seat in thesynagogue. Christ came to save Dives.Dives may have thought he was saved.He was so busy enjoyinglife that hedidn't have time to make his calling andelection sure. Perhaps he spoke verykindly to Lazarus as he sat among thedogs at the gate. He may even haveasked the servants to be sure there werealways enough crumbs and that the dogsdid not get them first. And the foodwas of the choicest quality. It was theoverabundance of what was preparedfor Dives and his guests. Christ was notat Dives' table;perhaps He preferred tovisit at the gate with Lazarus.We recall the motto, "Christ an inmeal,"vited guest at every A little anger that may be increased by a fewharsh words will spoil digestion. If weinvite Christ to our meals and realizedHis presence, we should have joy andgood digestion even with the most humble fare.PRAYER MEETING TOPICNovember 9, 1955"THE NOTE OF PRAISE IN PRAYER"I Chron. 29:10-13Rev. P. D. McCracken, D.D.Psalm 148:1,4,5 page 357Psalm 147:1-3,6,7, page 354Psalm 144:1,2,5,6, page 348Psalm 107: 1-6, page 264References :Phil. 4:6; Ps. 103; 116:17; Eph. 1:3;Ps. 139:14; 104:1; II Chron. 6:14,15; I Kings 8:15; Neh. 8:5; 9:32.CommentsOur text reminds us of the fact thatPraise is one of the vital elements inPrayer. It is natural and normal thatthere be Confession and Petition, butalso there shouldbe Adoration, and"thankful acknowledgement of Hismercies."That amounts to Praise.David recognized this, and in thePsalms which he wrote, and the Prayers which he offered, it is much in evidencethat he followed this idea. Ifyou will read carefully the seventy ormore Psalms of David, you doubtlesswill observe that although there aremultitudes of petitions, the expressionsof praise usually are dominant,andbecome more so in those Psalms writtenin the later years of his life.ly"After David had prepared "abundant(I Chron. 22:5) and "with all his(I Chron. 29:2) for the Houseof God that was to be built, and thepeople had responded most generouslythere was great rejoicing (I Chron. 29:9). Then David prayed, and before allthe people he praised and magnifiedthe Lord who had provided the causefor this rejoicing:"Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, andCOVENANTER WITNESS