Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 168

"And Jesus called _a little child_ unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, ... _Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child; the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven._" Matt.

18:2-4.

NOTES.-Humility is "freedom from pride and arrogance; lowliness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth." It implies a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness, and consists in rating our _claims_ low, in being willing to _waive our rights_, and to _take a lower place than might be our due_. It does not require that we under-rate ourselves or our life-work.

The humility of Christ was perfect, yet He had a true sense of the importance of His life and mission.

"Humility is like a tree, whose root, when it sets deepest in the earth, rises higher, and spreads fairer, and stands surer, and lasts longer, and every step of its descent is like a rib of iron."-_Bishop Taylor._

8. How will humility lead us to esteem others?

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind _let each esteem other better than themselves_." Phil. 2:3.

9. With whom does G.o.d dwell?

"I dwell in the high and holy place, _with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit_, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa. 57:15.

10. When asked a reason for our hope, in what spirit should we answer?

"But sanctify the Lord G.o.d in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you _with meekness and fear_." 1 Peter 3:15.

11. Who should labor for one overtaken in a fault, and in what spirit?

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, _ye which are spiritual_, restore such an one _in the spirit of meekness_; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. 6:1.

12. With what should Christian women adorn themselves?

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even _the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit_, which is in the sight of G.o.d of great price." 1 Peter 3:3, 4.

NOTE.-The instruction given here, _in principle_ applies with equal force to men professing G.o.dliness. It is the needless display of apparel and outward adornment that is here condemned.

G.o.d desires the ornaments _within_, displayed in the heart and life, rather than those _without_, simply to be seen of men.

Needless outward adornment, therefore, may generally be taken as an indication that the inward adornment, so precious in the sight of G.o.d, is lacking. Neatness in dress is not here discouraged.

13. Why are we exhorted to humble ourselves?

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of G.o.d, _that He may exalt you in due time_." 1 Peter 5:6.

NOTE.-"The higher a man is in grace, the lower he will be in his own esteem."-_Spurgeon._

14. With what has the Lord promised to beautify the meek?

"For the Lord taketh pleasure in His people: _He will beautify the meek with salvation_." Ps. 149:4.

15. What are the meek exhorted to seek?

"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, _seek meekness_: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger." Zeph. 2:3.

NOTE.-The fact that the meek are exhorted to seek meekness, is evidence that the meek themselves should cherish and cultivate meekness, and that sanctification, or the development of a perfect character, is a progressive work.

16. What inheritance is promised the meek?

"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But _the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace_." Ps. 37:10, 11.

I count this thing to be grandly true: That a n.o.ble deed is a step toward G.o.d, Lifting the soul from the common clod To a purer air and a broader view.

We rise by the things that are under our feet; By what we have mastered of good and gain; By the pride deposed and the pa.s.sion slain, And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet.

J. G. HOLLAND.

Sobriety

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Joseph Interpreting Pharaoh's Dream. "Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded." t.i.tus 2:6.

1. To what extent did Solomon test the pleasures of this world?

"_Whatsoever mine eyes desired_ I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from _any joy_." "I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with _mirth_, therefore enjoy _pleasure_." Eccl. 2:10, 1.

2. How much true enjoyment did such a course afford?

"Behold, _all was vanity and vexation of spirit_." Verse 11.

3. Of what does Solomon bid the young, in the buoyancy of youth, to be mindful?

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; _but know thou, that for all these things G.o.d will bring thee into judgment_." Eccl. 11:9.

4. How does the grace of G.o.d teach us that we should live?

"For the grace of G.o.d that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying unG.o.dliness and worldly l.u.s.ts, we should _live soberly, righteously, and G.o.dly, in this present world_." t.i.tus 2:11, 12.

5. What cla.s.ses of individuals are admonished to be sober?

"That the _aged men_ be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The _aged women_ likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, ... that they may teach the _young women_ to be sober.... _Young men_ likewise exhort to be sober-minded." Verses 2-6.