ATJ
THERE is one very important thing that was learned by the people of God in ancient times that has not yet been learned by the people of God of to-day; that is, the whole congregation at once repenting, confessing, and separating themselves from all iniquity. UCR June 1, 1901, page 13.1
Even though only a few persons, or even only one, had actually yet the whole congregation felt it, considered themselves involved, as indeed they really were, and repented confessed and separated themselves just as if all had actually sinned. And whether it were a matter of sin in their own day, or in preceding generations, it was all the same. UCR June 1, 1901, page 13.2
Again and again this occurred in the history of the people of God of old time; and in every instance when they had done so, the Lord wrought most wonderfully for them. And all this is written for our learning, and for our admonition. UCR June 1, 1901, page 13.3
All this is simply the old-time illustration of the prayer of Christ for us, “that they all may be one;” and of that description of the true unity of the church, “that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:25, 26. UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.1
Let the people of God of to-day in every congregation, organisation, and institution,—even the whole body together, study and learn this principle, and act according to it, and God will work for Israel to-day as wondrously as He did in olden times. UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.2
For at that time it was written, and it is forever true, and the truth of it was demonstrated whenever Israel really did act together, that one shall “chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.” UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.3
When one chases a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, what will three do? what will four do? Yes, what will fifty thousand do? what will one hundred thousand do? what will one hundred and forty-four thousand do? UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.4
Take the ratio of one chasing a thousand, and two ten thousand, and expand that ratio. It will be carried only a few figures before the result will be past all human comprehension. UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.5
Yet that simply illustrates the working of God with His people when they are really united; when they are one in repenting and confessing sins which individually the great mass of them did not actually commit, as heartily as they are one in shouting a victory in which the great mass of them did not have a share in actually winning. UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.6
The prayer of Christ that His people “all may be one,” is for unity such as exists between the Father and the Son, a unity that is forever and in all things. Then God will be manifest always and in all things with that people, in ways that are beyond all human comprehension; and the world will know that God did send Jesus, and has loved these, His people, as He loved Jesus. John 17:21-23. UCR June 1, 1901, page 14.7
A. T. JONES.
ATJ
“IF ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.” Luke 6:34. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.1
There is a sentence spoken by the Lord Jesus. Will you read it carefully, and then prayerfully ask yourself what is says? Please do not ask yourself nor anybody else what it means; for then you will get some human, selfish notion into it. Simply ask what it says; then you will know what it means; for it means exactly what it says. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.2
“If ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye?” Can you tell? UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.3
“Sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.” What kind of man is it that lends, to receive as much again? What does this word of Christ say? Then what kind of man are you? Are you a Christian or a sinner? By that word you can tell. “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Verse 46. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.4
Here is another word of Christ from the same place: “But... do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest.” Verse 35. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.5
In which of these ways do you lend, and in which have you been lending, to the cause of God, to say nothing of people? Do you lend, and have you been lending, to the cause of God “to receive as much again”? or, “hoping for nothing again”? You can tell. Then are you one of the children of the Highest? or are you a sinner? By that word you can tell. For, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.6
“GIVE, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and SHAKEN TOGETHER, and RUNNING OVER, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye meet withal it shall be measured to you again.” Verse 38. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.7
Again we ask, Will you please read carefully these words of Christ, and then prayerfully ask yourself what they say? Do not ask yourself nor anybody else what the words mean. They mean exactly what they say. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.8
And when you find out what the words say, if it does not exactly suit you, please do not ask us to explain these statements of the Lord. We can not explain them. They are perfectly plain as they stand. Explanation is not what is needed. What is needed is that these words shall be believed. UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.9
If not, why are they given to us by the Lord Jesus? UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.10
The third angel’s message says, “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Where are they? UCR June 1, 1901, page 15.11
A. T. JONES.