In the turmoil of life, and especially in the stress of war, it becomes fatally easy to lose to a degree our sense of proportion, because of the shadow cast by the crisis across the lives of us all. The danger is, we may not see the way so clearly.
Remember the principles of Christ with regard to conduct—unchanging in peace and war. That which is binding on us in peace is equally so, in principle, in war.
It may easily be more difficult to govern our lives by the principles of Christ now than a year ago, but difficulty is no excuse or justification for wavering or for a lower standard, it is rather a test of our sincerity and strength of character. So we consider this morning that which for 2,000 years has been the foundation or groundwork—the standard of Christian conduct—the Sermon on the Mount.
The Apostle in writing to the Hebrews says “Lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” What is this besetting sin? It is interesting to read the Revised Version—”The sin which is admired of many”—surrounded by well wishers. There is not so much danger in the obvious sins which are universally acknowledged as such—murder, theft, blasphemy—but in those which are not seriously regarded by the majority, in fact by many they are held in esteem.
In many respects the standard of Christ and the standard of the world are opposed. Some things which, in the sight of Christ are sin, yet have the effect of enhancing one’s reputation in the eyes of the world and one is thought to be respectable and admired of many.
What are they? Sins of temper, of temperament, disposition. They impress, and it is so easily overlooked that they are sins.
Christ expected his disciples to conform to a certain ”type—to be transformed. This was a fresh type of character he was demanding. A new spirit is called for. The qualities of Christian character do not come naturally to anyone.
There is something wrong with a disciple if he is not different. He must not be superior, yet surpassing, not aloof, yet distinct.
“Blessed be ye poor” says Luke “in spirit” adds Matthew–the one explained the other. This is not a blessing on poverty as such and as a Christian characteristic, indeed it may well be a curse. While it is true to say, as is often the case, “poor in spirit, poor in pocket, rich in pocket, often proud in spirit, does not follow. Whether a condition is a blessing or not depends on the individual, not on the condition itself. Who are the poor in spirit? They are not poor spirited in the sense of being dejected, timorous or miserable, but they are poor in the estimation of the world, poor in the spirit of the world; humble-hearted as opposed to self assertive; quiet, unassuming, but loud Christians, strangely un-ambitious so far as the success which this world can give is concerned.
It is not what a man has but what he is that matters.
One thing is emphasized above others.
Our first duty lies right at hand – Christianity is to be practiced every day among the common things of life. Between the great things which we cannot do and the little things which we will not do. the danger is that we will do nothing.
We may think that to give a cup of water is not much and how much better it would be to give $1000. Is it? Blessed are the poor in spirit. The true follower of Christ “appoints no hours, allots no spheres.” He himself simply went about doing good. He did not stop to do some special things which should be called religious. His life was his religion.
‘Blessed are they that mourn.’ What a strange thing to say. It is like saying blessed are the unsuccessful. That is what he is saying, as the world counts success. Here is encouragement for the discouraged, those who do not think much of nor about themselves. Mournful does not mean to “moan,” those who indulge in self-pity or the luxury of grief or who take delight in recounting woes. It means those who are thoughtful, serious-minded. Those who know the sad, terrible things of life and are sorry.
Blessed are the sympathetic (feel with pathos) and the conscientious (grieve for failings).
The Lord is nigh—blessed are those with a broken heart and of a contrite or penitent spirit. “Blessed are the meek.” The world has praise for the rich and powerful, the famous, the notorious. The Bible sings of the unsuccessful, those who have tried and done their best, those who miss success, not through lack of ability but because they stop to help others on the way.
The meek—not the weak in character. It does not mean those that take everything lying down, although some things, possibly. Many of us are by nature timid, shy and have a dislike for resistance or combat, are easy-going. This is not meekness, it is a natural tendency.
We all know that if we wish to gain success in the world we usually have to push hard and assert ourselves, never minding the other man. The art of getting on involves skill in the art of self-advertisement. This is not Christian although it is admired of many. True humility is a recognition of one’s own unworthiness and unimportance. This involves an ability to measure the importance of an event not by its relation to personal comfort or self-esteem, not seeking to impose my will on life but to accept God’s always. “Hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Again, blessed are they who have not got what they want, who are unsatisfied, not dissatisfied and irritated, but who never have enough; those who strive and are not content to cease.
Hunger is a mark of health and of desire: loss of appetite is a bad sign.
Live the life of the impossible ideal. Not attainment only, but progress counts. Not how far off the ideal only, but how much nearer than we were yesterday counts.
“Blessed are the merciful.”
We ask God to forgive our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us. Do we? We ask Him to forgive as we forgive and He asks us to forgive as He does. How? Consider the parable of the man who owes his master $500,000 and his master forgives the lot. The same servant would not cancel a miserable debt of $5.
By some strange perverseness in human nature we have far keener eyes for flaws and blemishes than for the lovely things in others. Not many of us go talking of our neighbor’s good points. One of the temptations of a sensitive conscience is a censorious, critical spirit. A heart set on righteousness is prone to be intolerant of morally weak people and of those whose standard may not seem so high. We may be sweeping in our condemnation, unmerciful. How do we know the extent of the struggle before he fell? The antidote is, control temper. Try to control more in five minutes than another would in five years.
“Blessed are the pure in heart.” The heart is deceitful above all things and we can see the depths to which it is possible to descend. We have to be pure, sincere, honest, simple. Jesus was constantly testing sincerity. Do you really mean it?
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” All love peace, it is so much more pleasant than strife.
Peace makers. If the peace is broken and offense has been taken, are you the first to make a move for peace or do you wait for the other man, being afraid of loss of prestige?
What sort of influence have you? Does it tend to peace and harmony or strife and bitterness? One of the best ways to engender peace is to be an encourager, not a hindered. Beware, “Get thee behind me Satan.” An adversary in more ways than one.
Encourage men and women in their work even if in your opinion the thing may be done in a better way. Never hinder, help. There is nothing more productive of strife than destructive criticism.
Let us then beware of the sins admired of many. Beware lest we fall into the snare of regarding human failings as of small account. If it is a shock, better receive it now.
Have a high ideal, aim high_______ ” ‘Twere better thine arrows below the mark should fall than that thou, through fear of failure, should never aim at all.”
The spirit of man is as a candle. Jesus bids us have a pure, clear light. There should be living manifestations in men and women.
Aim high—by aiming low in the eyes of the world. “Except ye turn and become as little children.” “Whosoever is great among you, let him be your minister.”
We can see His purpose taking shape. We can see the first streaks of dawn.
Now surely we shall be wise to cast ourselves completely on Him and into His service, casting aside every weight, learning to live a day at a time, by force of circumstances; as He said “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
It is no use worrying. There are influences at work against which we have no power to resist. Our living may be snatched away, but nevertheless God is with us, we need not worry, we must not worry.
1 Peter 5-7: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” His interest is in you. He has you in His heart. Our care is anxiety — worry which weakens our defenses — God’s care is Providence.
Jesus is our example of complete faith. He asked that the cup might be removed. He showed His faith in His Father’s power and ability to remove it if He wished.
Pray for strength to face the day,
“Pray for courage in the fight,
Pray for power to do the right,
Pray for guidance on the way,
Pray for greater wisdom, pray.
Human aid cannot avail,
Man’s defenses fall and fail.
To a Higher Power we bow,
Only God can save us now.
Pray for quiet confidence,
Pray for your deliverance,
Pray for strength to face the day.
Cast out fear, have faith, pray.”
Psalm 34, 4: “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Tangible help is at hand. Watch, Pray, lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One