live, would you turn to a Christian or a non-Christian country? Why? Are the non-Christian religions responsible for the poverty, disease, ignorance, and degradation of women in non-Christian lands? Can an American ignore with impunity the conditions in other nations? Can anything happen in China without affecting America? In what ways is America influencing China? Can America be Christianized without the Christianizing of other nations? Is there a reasonable hope of winning the non-Christian world? How large is the present missionary force? What are the outstanding accomplishments resulting from their work? What does the experience in Uganda show as to the possibility of Christian work abroad becoming self-sustaining and self-propagating? What other similar achievements have there been in non-Christian lands? How large a missionary force is needed to win the world? Can America bear her share? CHAPTER VI THE SUPREME OPPORTUNITY DAILY READINGS Evidently we have in this Kingdom of God a great challenge to every man and woman whose instincts rise above the mere level of keeping alive in this world. Its service is offered as the biggest opportunity that faces any human being. FIRST DAY: This great cause that lay closest to the heart of the Carpenter of Nazareth, the Master-Leader of men, was described by Him in words that permit of no misconstruction. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.-Matt. 13: 44-46. Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.-Matt. 6:31-34. What was Jesus' plain estimate of His Cause? What does it mean for a man to "sell all he has" to purchase the Kingdom? SECOND DAY: And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven and come, follow me. But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.-Mark 10: 17-22. Why did Jesus face this strong young man with this difficult question? What was the young ruler's dilemma? Why did he refuse? In what ways is the same choice facing all college students today? THIRD DAY: Jesus made it perfectly plain, as we have seen, that loyalty to Him meant loyalty to His cause-the Kingdom of God. This means that loyalty to Jesus Christ means active, willing cooperation in the Cause. And everyone that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit eternal life.-Matt. 19: 29. Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, Notice, in these parallel passages, the identification of three issues-"my sake," "the gospel's sake," "the Kingdom's sake." What other leaders were completely identified with their causes? Why must a leader be so identified? FOURTH DAY: Not only did Jesus identify Himself and His Cause, but He would accept no extravagant devotion to Himself unaccompanied by a real desire to serve that Cause. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do 'many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.-Matt. 7:21-23. Why did Jesus refuse to receive devotion like this? Why does any leader doubt the reality of devotion which does not include his cause? What is the real evidence of loyalty to "the flag"? FIFTH DAY: When Peter professed a great affection for his Master, Jesus answered him in significant words. So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith The answer to these protestations of loyalty was a command to serve. Was this a legitimate test of Peter's loyalty? How did Peter meet this challenge? Read Acts 4:5-21. When does a parent most appreciate protestations of affection from a son or a daughter? What makes a leader put immediate responsibility on α new recruit? SIXTH DAY: In all literature there is no finer passage than that in which Jesus proclaims His high authority and at the same time promises to His followers the deepest satisfaction in His service. All things have been delivered unto me of my Does the service of the Kingdom really appeal as a life in which the highest satisfaction can be found? Why? SEVENTH DAY: Would the following covenant made by the individual in secret satisfy the demand of Jesus for loyalty to Himself and the Kingdom of God? |