Who Is the Greatest?
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the work of Christ, and whose hearts were opening to Him in faith;
and the disciples, who could not read motives, must be careful not to
discourage these souls. When Jesus was no longer personally among
them, and the work was left in their hands, they must not indulge a
narrow, exclusive spirit, but manifest the same far-reaching sympathy
which they had seen in their Master.
The fact that one does not in all things conform to our personal
ideas or opinions will not justify us in forbidding him to labor for God.
Christ is the Great Teacher; we are not to judge or to command, but
in humility each is to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. Every
soul whom God has made willing is a channel through which Christ
will reveal His pardoning love. How careful we should be lest we
discourage one of God’s light bearers, and thus intercept the rays that
He would have shine to the world!
Harshness or coldness shown by a disciple toward one whom Christ
was drawing—such an act as that of John in forbidding one to work
miracles in Christ’s name—might result in turning the feet into the
path of the enemy, and causing the loss of a soul. Rather than for one
to do this, said Jesus, “it is better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” And He added, “If thy
hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into
life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the
unquenchable fire. And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it
is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet
to be cast into hell.”
Mark 9:43-45
, R. V.
Why this earnest language, than which none can be stronger?
Because “the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Shall
His disciples show less regard for the souls of their fellow men than
the Majesty of heaven has shown? Every soul has cost an infinite price,
and how terrible is the sin of turning one soul away from Christ, so
that for him the Saviour’s love and humiliation and agony shall have
been in vain.
“Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it
must needs be that the occasions come.”
Matthew 18:7
, R. V. The
world, inspired by Satan, will surely oppose the followers of Christ,
and seek to destroy their faith; but woe to him who has taken Christ’s
name, and yet is found doing this work. Our Lord is put to shame by
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