Chapter 11—Things New and Old
This chapter is based on
Matthew 13:51, 52
.
While Christ was teaching the people, He was also educating His
disciples for their future work. In all His instruction there were lessons
for them. After giving the parable of the net, He asked them, “Have ye
understood all these things?” They said unto Him, “Yea, Lord.” Then
in another parable He set before them their responsibility in regard
to the truths they had received. “Therefore,” He said, “every scribe
which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that
is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new
and old.”
The treasure gained by the householder he does not hoard. He
brings it forth to communicate to others. And by use the treasure
increases. The householder has precious things both new and old.
So Christ teaches that the truth committed to His disciples is to be
communicated to the world. And as the knowledge of truth is imparted,
it will increase.
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All who receive the gospel message into the heart will long to
proclaim it. The heaven-born love of Christ must find expression.
Those who have put on Christ will relate their experience, tracing step
by step the leadings of the Holy Spirit—their hungering and thirsting
for the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He has sent, the
results of their searching of the Scriptures, their prayers, their soul
agony, and the words of Christ to them, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.”
It is unnatural for any to keep these things secret, and those who are
filled with the love of Christ will not do so. In proportion as the Lord
has made them the depositaries of sacred truth will be their desire that
others shall receive the same blessing. And as they make known the
rich treasures of God’s grace, more and still more of the grace of Christ
will be imparted to them. They will have the heart of a little child in
its simplicity and unreserved obedience. Their souls will pant after
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