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Christ Our Master

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 24, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 42.

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Christ Our Master

International Sabbath School Lessons
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” —Neh. 8:8
Lesson VI.—Sabbath, November 9, 1895.

Christ Our Master

1. What does Christ style himself in Matt. 23:8, 10?
“But be not ye called rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” “Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master, even Christ.”
2. If he is Master, what are we?
The complement of master is servant. Christ is the rightful Master, or Head, of every man; for he has paid the redemption price for every soul. It is therefore but a “reasonable service” that we render obedience and loyalty to him. Rom. 12:1, 2. But he forces none to serve him, and recognizes none as his servants but those who willingly offer themselves and take the freedom he purchased for them. Isa. 1:19; Rev. 22:17.
3. Has any one a right to come in between a master and his servant?
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth; yea, he shall be holden up; for God is able to make him stand.” Rom. 14:4.
4. Therefore when men step in and begin to dictate to their fellow-men how, when, where, or whom they shall worship, what are they doing? Ans.—Putting themselves in the place of Christ.
5. Seeing each individual in his relation to God is responsible alone to him, what conclusion does Paul draw?
“Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Rom. 14:12.
6. When the state makes religious laws and punishes men for noncompliance therewith, to whom does it make them accountable?
7. What position does the state under such circumstances assume toward the individual? Ans.—That of God.
8. Did God ordain civil government to take his place in religious things?
9. What is religion?
Religion.—“The recognition of God as an object of worship, love, and obedience.”—Webster. Another definition quite as good is, “Man’s relation of faith and obedience to God.”
10. When a man becomes truly religious, what will he recognize? Ans.—The relation he sustains toward God, and his duties and obligations in consequence thereof.
11. What has God done for man? Ans.—Brought him back or redeemed him from the service of self, sin, and Satan. 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
12. Whose are we then?
“What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Cor. 6:19.
“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Rom. 14:8.
13. Whom shall we serve, therefore?
“For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor. 6:20.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1.
“We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.” Ezra 5:11.
14. In religious things whom shall we not serve?
“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” 1 Cor. 7:23.
15. How shall we regard rulers and those in authority?
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Tim. 2:1, 2. See 1 Peter 2:13-17, and note.
16. Why and how should we do this? 1 Peter 2:15. See note.
17. What will the Master finally say to his faithful servants?
“His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matt. 25:21.

NOTE.

While we are to regard Christ as our Master, we are to treat our rulers with respect and recognize their authority in civil things, for they are divinely ordained to exercise such authority. We are to do this, therefore, because it is the will of God (1 Peter 2:15), and we are to do this as the servants of God (verse 16). This is the proper exercise of our liberty as God’s free men. There will be no conflict of authority unless men and rulers undertake to exercise authority in religious matters, and then “we ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. This is forcibly illustrated by memorable examples in Bible history, such as Daniel, the three Hebrew children, the apostles of Christ, and in latter times by the martyrs of Jesus who sealed their testimony with their blood. The words of the apostle in Heb. 11:32-40 and 12:1-3 should be a source of strength and encouragement to God’s remnant people, who are soon to feel the dragon’s wrath in the closing conflict of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. Christ is our Master; let us be loyal to him, and we shall surely be delivered and stand at last upon Mount Zion. Rev. 14:1.