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Who Is the Greatest?
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be lest we discourage one of God’s light bearers, and thus intercept
the rays He would have shine to the world!
Such an act as that of John in forbidding one to work miracles in
Christ’s name might result in 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.”
Why this strong language? Because “the Son of man is come
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to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10
. Shall His
disciples show less regard for the souls of their fellowmen than the
Majesty of heaven has shown? How terrible the sin of turning one
soul away, so that for him the Saviour’s love and agony shall have
been in vain.
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary
that temptations come.” RSV. The world will surely oppose the
followers of Christ, but woe to him who has taken Christ’s name and
yet is found doing this work. Multitudes are deceived and led into
false paths by those who claim to serve Him but misrepresent His
character.
Anything That Leads to Sin Must Be Put Away
One sin cherished is sufficient to degrade the character and mis-
lead others. If the foot or the hand would be cut off, or even the eye
be plucked out, to save the body from death, how earnest should we
be to put away sin that brings death to the soul!
In the ritual service salt was added to every sacrifice. This, like
the offering of incense, signified that only the righteousness of Christ
could make the service acceptable to God. Referring to this, Jesus
said, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” All
must receive the saving salt, the righteousness of our Saviour. Then
they become “the salt of the earth,” restraining evil among men, as
salt preserves from corruption.
Matthew 5:13
. But if the salt has
lost its savor, the life can exert no saving influence on the world.
Jesus says, You must be partakers of My grace, in order to be a savor
of life unto life. Then there will be no rivalry, no self-seeking, no
desire for the highest place.
When we see Jesus, a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with
grief, working to save the lost, slighted, scorned, driven from city