Religion in Education

Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 6:39-45

GOLDEN TEXT: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”—John 8:32

THE caption assigned this lesson by the International Sunday School Committee is not strictly speaking in keeping with the Scripture passage cited for study. In principle, many of the thoughts expressed by Jesus in these passages could, with profit, be applied to general education; but the Master did not intend these instructions to be a guide for world educators. They were intended only for His footstep followers.

Much misunderstanding of the Bible is caused by failure to recognize that it was not written to enlighten the world, but to be a Guide Book for the consecrated followers of the Master. For example, there is no Scriptural authority for supposing that anyone in the world who feels so disposed can petition God for blessings of his own choosing and expect his petitions to be honored. It is not true of the unconsecrated that if they, “Ask, … it shall be given,” that if they “seek,” they “shall find.”

Our lesson states, “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” This statement is a part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Turning back to the beginning of the sermon (Matthew 5) we find that it was preached, not to the multitude, but to the disciples. Jesus withdrew from the people and His disciples came to Him, and to them particularly He preached this wonderful sermon.

It is clear, then, that when Jesus said that “every one who asketh receiveth,” He meant every one of His disciples, not every one of the human race. His further remarks clarify this point. He uses as an illustration the solicitude of a father for his son, applying it to the Heavenly Father and His children. Mankind in general, in their fallen, sin-cursed condition, are not sons of God. The only sons of God in the earth since Jesus’ day, hence the only ones to whom this lesson could apply, have been those who have been accepted into the divine family upon the basis of their faith in Christ’s redeeming blood and their full consecration to do God’s will.

“How much more shall your Father which is in heaven,” Jesus said, “give good gifts to them that ask Him.” One of the “good gifts” specifically promised to the sons of God in this age is the Holy Spirit. As Christians, it is our privilege always to pray for a richer, fuller indwelling of the Spirit of God. This, to a large degree, is an all-comprehensive gift, for to the extent that we possess the Holy Spirit we are indeed blessed with all the good things which count most in the Christian life. When we pray for the Holy Spirit we are praying for that blessed influence to fill our lives which will increase our love, give us greater joy and peace, endow our hearts with wisdom, and give us strength and courage to continue in the narrow way of doing God’s will. What more could we desire?

On another occasion Jesus explained, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7) Those who abide in Christ and are wholly guided by His words abiding in them, will ask only those things which are in harmony with the divine will. They will not therefore, ask for temporal blessings. They will not ask release from the opportunity to suffer and die in the Master’s service. They will ask for guidance and strength to do His will.

The lesson of Luke 6:39-45 is a very important one for every Christian to observe and practice. Surely, the blind cannot safely lead the blind, and this means that if we are to be used of the Master to help others we must always be equipped with something more than our own worldly wisdom. Jesus’ own application of this parable is significant. “The disciple,” He said, “is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.”

This indicates that all those who qualify in the school of Christ must be like Him. Like Him, they must be filled and guided by the Holy Spirit. They must be kind, and generous, and sympathetic, and forgiving. Jesus did not go about picking flaws in everything His disciples did and said, and He warned them against such an attitude. He told them that before they undertook to be too critical of their brethren they should correct their own faults. This reminds us that all of the Lord’s people are by nature imperfect. The motes and beams of human imperfection tend to blind all of us, and only in proportion as we are filled by and taught of the Holy Spirit can we be used to assist each other.

The proof that one’s efforts are of the Spirit are in the results to be observed. Are we bringing people to God and to His truth, or are we scattering abroad? Is our ministry inculcating the spirit of love, or does it tend toward hatred, bitterness and prejudice? These are the true tests by which we are to appraise our brethren and their work?

They do the least
    Who talk the most,
Whose good designs
    Are all their boast.
        Let words be few.

They do the most
    Whose lives possess
The sterling stamp
    Of righteousness;
        For deeds are true.

QUESTIONS:

Does God hear the prayers of the unconsecrated?

What should be the chief burden of all Christian praying?

Upon what basis may we judge the value of Christian effort?

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