A GREAT TEST OF CHRISTIANITY.
Burden for Others.—A real test of the possession of Christianity is burden for other souls; not a general burden for the heathen of China or India or the world,—all this is good if it issue in practical form,—but a burden for some one soul. And this, too, not a burden that that soul shall do your way, and walk in the lines of your marking; but a burden that that soul may be saved, may find Jesus Christ, the Saviour from sin, may come to know Him as the Friend above all others, “the Chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether lovely.” The real test of your living, healthy connection with God is to feel that God must give you that soul for whom you are willing to give life itself. Is it overbold thus to plead?—Nay, it is not. It is pleasing to God. It is the Christ-spirit that thus pleads. So Moses felt when he came down from the mount where he had been in communion with God. Israel had sinned. The golden calf was in the place of God, and His people were shamelessly, lasciviously dancing in nudeness before the idol. Then came the test of Moses’ Christianity. He was angry. Was it mere pique or vexation? No; his anger was righteous indignation for the Lord’s sake. But with brokenness of heart he pleads for the people: “O, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which thou hast written.” He is willing to die for and with the people who dishonored him as well as God. This was the spirit of Paul: “I could wish myself accursed from Christ for my brethren’s sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” It is the Spirit of Christ which thus leads to utter giving of self for the sake of enemies. There is divine philosophy in it all. It is God’s design to save men. He gave His Son to save men. Christ gave Himself to save men. The Spirit is present to save men, through men. And when a soul can be found anywhere which will co-operate with God, His Spirit will use that soul. It would be a denial of His nature for God to do otherwise. And mark also, He will not use that soul because of learning, education, ability, or worldly influence, but because that soul is in harmony with Him, responsive to the great heart-beats of Infinite Love. This is not to decry any true education, culture, ability. The more the better, if in harmony with God. Will you not, dear soul, be used by God throughout this new year? When Andrew found Jesus, he went at once to tell Peter. When Philip found Him, he sought Nathanael to tell to him the glad news. Do you know God, even just a little?—Then tell others and so know Him better, so know yourself better, and so know that He only is the safe, wise, loving Leader of a free soul. Let His life flow through you unto other lives, and you will be blessed with ever-enlarging streams from the great fount of God.