the acts of the apostles-第58章
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and if the world shall be judged by you； are
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ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters？ Know ye not that we shall judge
angels？ how much more things that pertain to this life？ If then ye have
judgments of things pertaining to this life； set them to judge who are least
esteemed in the church。 I speak to your shame。 Is it so； that there is not a
wise man among you？ no； not one that shall be able to judge between his
brethren？ But brother goeth to law with brother； and that before the
unbelievers。 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you； because ye go
to law one with another。 Why do ye not rather take wrong？ 。 。 。 Nay； ye do
wrong； and defraud； and that your brethren。 Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God？〃
Satan is constantly seeking to introduce distrust； alienation； and malice
among God's people。 We shall often be tempted to feel that our rights are
invaded； even when there is no real cause for such feelings。 Those whose
love for self is stronger than their love for Christ and His cause will
place their own interests first and will resort to almost any expedient to
guard and maintain them。 Even many who appear to be conscientious Christians
are hindered by pride and self…esteem from going privately to those whom
they think in error； that they may talk with them in the spirit of Christ
and pray together for one another。 When they think themselves injured by
their brethren； some will even go to law instead of following the Saviour's
rule。
Christians should not appeal to civil tribunals to settle differences that
may arise among church members。 Such differences should be settled among
themselves； or by the
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church； in harmony with Christ's instruction。 Even though injustice may have
been done； the follower of the meek and lowly Jesus will suffer himself 〃to
be defrauded〃 rather than open before the world the sins of his brethren in
the church。
Lawsuits between brethren are a reproach to the cause of truth。 Christians
who go to law with one another expose the church to the ridicule of her
enemies and cause the powers of darkness to triumph。 They are wounding
Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame。 By ignoring the authority of
the church； they show contempt for God； who gave to the church its
authority。
In this letter to the Corinthians Paul endeavored to show them Christ's
power to keep them from evil。 He knew that if they would comply with the
conditions laid down； they would be strong in the strength of the Mighty
One。 As a means of helping them to break away from the thralldom of sin and
to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord； Paul urged upon them the claims
of Him to whom they had dedicated their lives at the time of their
conversion。 〃Ye are Christ's；〃 he declared。 〃Ye are not your own。 。 。 。 Ye
are bought with a price： therefore glorify God in your body； and in your
spirit； which are God's。〃
The apostle plainly outlined the result of turning from a life of purity and
holiness to the corrupt practices of heathenism。 〃Be not deceived；〃 he
wrote； 〃neither fornicators； nor idolaters； nor adulterers； 。 。 。 nor
thieves； nor covetous； nor drunkards； nor revilers； nor extortioners； shall
inherit the kingdom of God。〃 He begged them to control
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the lower passions and appetites。 〃Know ye not；〃 he asked； 〃that your body
is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you； which ye have of God？〃
While Paul possessed high intellectual endowments； his life revealed the
power of a rarer wisdom； which gave him quickness of insight and sympathy of
heart； and brought him into close touch with others； enabling him to arouse
their better nature and inspire them to strive for a higher life。 His heart
was filled with an earnest love for the Corinthian believers。 He longed to
see them revealing an inward piety that would fortify them against
temptation。 He knew that at every step in the Christian pathway they would
be opposed by the synagogue of Satan and that they would have to engage in
conflicts daily。 They would have to guard against the stealthy approach of
the enemy； forcing back old habits and natural inclinations； and ever
watching unto prayer。 Paul knew that the higher Christian attainments can be
reached only through much prayer and constant watchfulness； and this he
tried to instill into their minds。 But he knew also that in Christ crucified
they were offered power sufficient to convert the soul and divinely adapted
to enable them to resist all temptations to evil。 With faith in God as their
armor； and with His word as their weapon of warfare； they would be supplied
with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the
enemy。
The Corinthian believers needed a deeper experience in the things of God。
They did not know fully what it meant to behold His glory and to be changed
from character
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to character。 They had seen but the first rays of the early dawn of that
glory。 Paul's desire for them was that they might be filled with all the
fullness of God； following on to know Him whose going forth is prepared as
the morning； and continuing to learn of Him until they should come into the
full noontide of a perfect gospel faith。
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Chapter 30
Called to Reach a Higher Standard
In the hope of impressing vividly upon the minds of the Corinthian believers
the importance of firm self…control； strict temperance； and unflagging zeal
in the service of Christ； Paul in his letter to them made a striking
comparison between the Christian warfare and the celebrated foot races held
at stated intervals near Corinth。 Of all the games instituted among the
Greeks and the Romans； the foot races were the most ancient and the most
highly esteemed。 They were witnessed by kings； nobles； and statesmen。 Young
men of rank and wealth took part in them and shrank from no effort or
discipline necessary to obtain the prize。
The contests were governed by strict regulations； from which there was no
appeal。 Those who desired their names entered as competitors for the prize
had first to undergo a severe preparatory training。 Harmful indulgence of
appetite； or any other gratification that would lower mental or physical
vigor； was strictly forbidden。 For one to have any hope
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of success in these trials of strength and speed； the muscles must be strong
and supple； and the nerves well under control。 Every movement must be
certain； every step swift and unswerving； the physical powers must reach the
highest mark。
As the contestants in the race made their appearance before the waiting
multitude； their names were heralded； and the rules of the race were
distinctly stated。 Then they all started together； the fixed attention of
the spectators inspiring them with a determination to win。 The judges were
seated near the goal； that they might watch the race from its beginning to
its close and give the prize to the true victor。 If a man reached the goal
first by taking an unlawful advantage； he was not awarded the prize。
In these contests great risks were run。 Some never recovered from the
terrible physical strain。 It was not unusual for men to fall on the course；
bleeding at the mouth and nose； and sometimes a contestant would drop dead
when about to seize the prize。 But the possibility of lifelong injury or of
death was not looked upon as too great a risk to run for the sake of the
honor awarded the successful contestant。
As the winner reached the goal； the applause of the vast multitude of
onlookers rent the air and awoke the echoes of the surrounding hills and
mountains。 In full view of the spectators； the judge presented him with the
emblems of victorya laurel crown and a palm branch to carry in his right
hand。 His praise was sung throughout the land； his parents received their
share of honor； and even the city
