Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 30

"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as _the Son of man_ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matt. 20: 27, 28.

7. What position has Jesus taken among His brethren?

"For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but _I am among you as he that serveth_."

Luke 22:27.

8. In what does likeness to Christ consist?

"Let this _mind_ be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5.

9. What did Christ's spirit of meekness and consecration lead Him to do?

"But made Himself of no reputation, and _took upon Him the form of a servant_, and was made in the likeness of men." Verse 7.

10. To what extent did Christ humble Himself?

"And being found in fas.h.i.+on as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient _unto death, even the death of the cross_." Verse 8.

11. How does He exhort us to the same consecration?

"_Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me_; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matt. 11:29.

12. What does He make the condition of disciples.h.i.+p?

"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33.

13. What is proof that one does not belong to Christ?

"If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Rom. 8:9.

14. How should he walk who professes to abide in Christ?

"He that saith he abideth in Him _ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked_." 1 John 2:6.

15. Do we belong to ourselves?

"Know ye not that ... _ye are not your own_? for ye are bought with a price." 1 Cor. 6:19, 20.

16. What are we therefore exhorted to do?

"Therefore _glorify G.o.d in your body, and in your spirit_, which are G.o.d's." Verse 20.

NOTE.-Our time, strength, and means are G.o.d's, and should be given to His service.

17. Of what are the bodies of Christians the temple?

"What? know ye not that your body is _the temple of the Holy Ghost_ which is in you, which ye have of G.o.d?" Verse 19.

18. When truly consecrated, for what is one ready?

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? _Then said I, Here am I; send me._" Isa. 6:8.

19. How is this willingness for service otherwise expressed?

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; _so our eyes wait upon the Lord our G.o.d_." Ps. 123:2.

Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee!

Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee; Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King.

Take my will, and make it Thine: It shall be no longer mine!

Take my heart,-it is Thine own,-It shall be Thy royal throne.

FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL.

Bible Election

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Ten Virgins. "They that were ready went in with him to the marriage."

Matt. 25:10.

1. What does the apostle Peter admonish us to do?

"Wherefore ... brethren, _give diligence to make your calling and election sure_." 2 Peter 1:10.

NOTE.-This text at once reveals the fact that our salvation, so far as our own individual cases are concerned, is dependent upon our own action. We are elected to be saved; but we are to give diligence to make this election _sure_. If we do not, it will not meet its purpose in our case, and we shall be lost.

2. What admonition given by Christ teaches the same truth?

"Behold, I come quickly: _hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown_." Rev. 3:11.

NOTE.-Crowns have been prepared for each of the finally redeemed.

Every soul is a candidate in the race for eternal life, and hence for a crown. Faith in Jesus, and perseverance to the end, will hold it fast.