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From Heaven With Love
the masses. The higher classes were to think, decide, and rule; the
lower, to obey and serve. Religion, like all things else, was a matter
of authority.
A Kingdom of Different Principles
Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He
called men, not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the
infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, education, placed
their possessor under greater obligation to serve.
“The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give His life a ransom for many.” The principle on which
Christ acted is to actuate the members of the church, His body. In
the kingdom of Christ those are greatest who follow the example He
has given.
The words of Paul reveal the true dignity and honor of the Chris-
tian life: “Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself
servant unto all,” “not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of
many, that they may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 9:19
;
10:33
.
In matters of conscience, no one is to control another’s mind or
prescribe his duty. God gives to every soul freedom to think, and to
follow his own convictions. In matters where principle is involved,
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“let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
Romans 14:5
.
The angels of heaven do not come to earth to rule and to exact
homage, but to cooperate with men in uplifting humanity.
The principles and words of the Saviour’s teaching dwelt in the
memory of the beloved disciple to his latest days. The burden of
John’s testimony was, “This is the message that ye heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another.” “Hereby perceive we
the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
1 John 3:11, 16
.
This spirit pervaded the early church. After the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit, “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart
and of one soul.” “And with great power gave the apostles witness
of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 4:32, 33
.
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