| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 9 |
Page 9 |
Even in our Christian life the danger of self seeking is imminent. It is not enough that we find Christ for ourselves. If we rest satisfied with this, and sit down to the enjoyment of the blessings and privileges of friendship with Christ, giving no thought to the saving and helping of others, we are guilty of the worst selfishness. Only once did Jesus hang upon the cross, giving His life for the world; but He would have His followers repeat and continue the spirit of that sacrifice evermore in the eyes of men. It is not enough to hold up the Cross in our preaching, in our hymns and prayers, in the Lord’s Supper. We must have the Cross in our own life; we must live the life of self sacrificing love of which the Cross is the symbol.
The application of the lesson must rest with each one’s own conscience. The curse is not against the enemies of Christ, but against those who call themselves His friends, and who come not to His help against the mighty. It is the curse, not of enmity and opposition, but of inactivity; the curse of hiding away at ease when the Lord’s cause needs all one’s energy; the curse, not of fighting against the Lord; but of not fighting with Him. The impulse of the lesson should bring us out of our hiding places of cowardice, of indolence, of self indulgence, to declare ourselves unequivocally on the Lord’s side, and to stand forth boldly among His friends. This is no time for unconfessed discipleship. Cowardice is treason to the King. We should gather close about our Master with holy devotion, and cleave to Him with unalterable fidelity. To shirk our duty now is to miss the crown at the end.
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