“CHRIST IN EXPERIENCE”

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6204, 8 October 1921, Page 3

“CHRIST IN EXPERIENCE”

ADDRESS BY REY. J. AITKEN.

"WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?” In St. Andrew’s Church on Sunday 1 evening the Rev. Mr Aitken brought to a close his series of addresses on "Christ in Experience.” His subject was the old familiar question, "What think ye of Him?” Mr Aitken said there were countless figures on the stage of history on whom we were not called upon to form any opinion. Great soldiers, rulers, statesmen, teachers, concerning whom it mattered little what we thought. Our judgment on them, if we know enough to pass judgment at all, has practically no influence on our conduct. But it is different with Jesus Christ. In His case, what we think of Him has an immense importance, for it has a practical bearing on our daily life and conduct Whenever we get to know Christ at all, we find that He challenges a decision.. Questions rise which we must answer. Are we going to believe what He teaches about God and man and duty and the hereafter? Are we going to accept the principle which He lays down as the governing principle of life—the principles of service? Are we going to trust His influence upon us? He makes a demand for our faith, loyalty and obedience. Are we going to yield to that demand? It makes a difference what reply we make to these questions. It affects the life wc live, it determines the character we develop, it colours the hopes we may entertain for the life beyond death. Yet men hesitate and refuse to commit themselves. They say there are so many different opinions in religion they don’t know what is right. But it is not a question of speculative opinion, it is not the various scientific statements of Christian doctrine, on which they are called to make up their minds; it is a question of their own personal attitude to Jesus Christ. They, say they hesitate because, so far as they can see, there is little difference between those who profess to be Christians and those who do not. But Christianity should be judged not by the poorest sort of Christians, hut by the best. And it simply is not true to say that there is little difference between the best types of Christian character and the man of the world. Moreover, again, it is not' a question, of what other people are like, but of what men are themselves going to do about Jesus Christ and His Teaching, His principles, His demand for loyalty and faith. • Those difficulties which men profess to find with Christianity are, for the most part, specious and unreal. The real reasons why men hold back are mainly two. • There are some wbo hold back because they see quite well that Christianity would cost them too much. To follow Christ moans taking life seriously. It means putting many interests second which they ' like to put first. It means l’elegating pleasure,

amusement, sport, the getting of riches, the gratifying of inclination, in their proper places as secondary considerations: and putting the service of their ■fellow men first. It calls for courage and sacrifice: and they reckon it calls for too much.

But the great majority of those who refuse to respond to Christ do so from sheer thoughtlessness and indifference. Men drift. They live day by day without thought. They follow their easy way, the way of the world about them. They do not want to be disturbed, and they know very well that to take an interest in Christ would disturb them.

They are quite right. Christianity is a disturbing element when it enters a man's life. It makes him think. It makes him review all his h'abits, bis opinions, hie principles of conduct. It makes him change his ways, his aims, the whole spirit and tenor of his life. To fake Christ and make Him lord and master of one's life means a great and radical change. But it is a change for what is infinitely better than the old selfish, careless, thoughtless way of life. To submit one's will to Christ is the way to true manhood and true womanhood. It makes a man to serve his day and generation as otherwise he never could do. It brings a great peace and joy to his heart and enables him to face the future with glad confidence. Mr Aitken concluded with an earnest appeal to men to make up their minds. Let them face the issue. Let them frankly and honestly decide whether they were going to take Christ for Lord and Master, or no.