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Christliness and good works
The issue raised by a question in First John needs our thoughtful attention today. Historically its implications too often have been ignored: "He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" I John 4:20. Beyond the conventional lesson of the question is the implication that one's brother is worthy of love, that there is reason for loving each other. Christ Jesus' teachings make clear that valuing and loving mankind is intimately connected with loving God. The healing works Jesus accomplished forever unite the love for and worship of God with a love for humanity.
Yet religion as practiced throughout the centuries too often attempts to separate the two. And the degree of this separation is reflected in the kind of lives people live. The prevailing tendency of medieval Christianity was to exalt God while viewing man as a miserable sinner and of little importance. Such practice tended to lose sight of Jesus' humbly walking with and loving the multitude. The ages were dark indeed for most of mankind.
When thinking again turned to valuing the individual human being, there was a renaissance, a religious and cultural rebirth. With the dawning of the Reformation, the picture of God and man as radically separated began to yield to the spirit of Christ Jesus' ministry. Jesus had assured his followers of God's beneficence and their place in His love. "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered," Luke 12:7. he said.
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March 2, 1981 issue
View Issue-
Communicating
MURRAY LAWRENCE JAYNE
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Prayer provides protection
THOMAS C. ASHER
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Prayer is listening
HUGH GEORGE ECCLES
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Put down the baggage
CORINNE JANE TEETER
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We can help the abused child
FRANKIE L. THOMAS
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Learning to love yourself
CARL J. WELZ
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Our pastor feeds the world
ELLEN SHANK COLLINS
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Seeing God as true consciousness heals inadequacy
JOHN LINDSAY RENNIE
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And now, to Jericho
CYNTHIA HÄFELI-WELLS
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What is Christian Science treatment?
DeWITT JOHN
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Christliness and good works
BEULAH M. ROEGGE
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Moses and the burning bush
Marcia Byers Helmholz
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I had been studying Christian Science only a very...
PHYLLIS M. GORT
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My gratitude is immeasurable for the neighbor who generously...
ADELE MULLENBACH
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Some years ago, my wife and I returned to our home one evening...
WESLEY EDMUND SAN GARDE with contributions from DENISE MAY SAN GARDE