In 2 Timothy 3:2-5 Paul unmasks the perilous fruits of self-love - setting them forth in such a way as ought to cause the people of God to take notice, and to consider whether it is being permitted a foot-hold in our own lives, (comp. Phil. 2:21, 4; I Cor. 10:24, 33; 13:1-7 [Phillips]; 2 Cor. 12:14- 15; Rom. 15:1-7).
    True love never focuses its attention on SELF; nor does it seek its own advantage. Instead, it always reaches out to others. Only in this way may it attain to its fullest joy.
    Consider the words of Solomon: (Prov. 5:1-5; 6:20-26; 7:6-27).
    Many a young man - well-instructed in the way of God's commandments, and fully meaning to walk in fellowship with his Maker - has, in A SINGLE MOMENT OF TEMPTATION, forfeited, FOREVER the bright prospects that lay before him. By yielding to THE DESIRE OF THE MOMENT he has, unconsciously, forfeited the bright and promising HOPES OF A LIFETIME!
    But Paul's emphasis here is not on young MEN who are being led astray. He deals, rather, with the

    In 2 Timothy 3:10-13 Paul begins to set forth the characteristics of a TRUE man of God. He shows that such a man will, by example, provide the kind of leadership God's people may safely follow. This he contrasts with the doctrine, practices and motives of the pseudo-christian leaders he has described in the preceding verses.
    The LIFE of a true "man of God" will be such an open book as all may read; he will have nothing to hide. His teaching will be true to the Scriptures, and he will be concerned to set forth the "whole counsel of God", (vs. 10). He will live according to the principles that he urges upon others: faith, longsuffering, love, steadfastness, etc. His chief purpose will be to glorify God. Nor will he draw back from SUFFERING for the cause of Christ, or for the welfare of His beloved people, (vs. 11-12).
    Timothy, who was probably the most "like-minded" of all Paul's disciples, is said to have followed his example in the ministry, (Acts 20:18-21; 26:4-7; Phil. 1:21; 2 Cor. 12:15).

1) In TEACHING - the act, or

ministry of teaching; using Paul's method.
2) In CONDUCT guidance, mode of instruction, discipline or way of life.
3) In PURPOSE - that is, to honor and glorify His Lord.
4) In FAITH - the high quality of faith to which we have been called in Christ Jesus.
5) In LONGSUFFERING - patient endurance of evil; slowness to avenge an injury.
6) In LOVE - generosity, kindly concern for others; care and devotion.
7) In STEDFASTNESS - an unwavering frame of mind; endurance in adhering to worthwhile principles, purposes and goals.

    Timothy was well aware of the things Paul had suffered "for Christ's sake". He knew that persecutions seemed always to pursue his Teacher, (2 Cor. 11:23-28). He was aware of the multiplicity of sufferings and afflictions he

was called upon to endure, (Lk. 14:27; Jn. 17:14). And Paul himself refers to three specific examples with which Timothy was familiar.

1) His sufferings at Antioch, in Pisidia, (Acts 13:14-52).
2) His sufferings at Iconium, (Acts 14:1-5).
3) His sufferings at Lystra, (Acts 14:6-19).

    But, severe as these persecutions were, the Lord had delivered him OUT OF THEM ALL! (Rom. 15:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:8-10; 2 Thes. 3:1-2; 2 Tim. 4:16-17).
    Finally, Paul states two general principles that it is needful for us to remember in these "perilous times".

    1) ALL who undertake to devote themselves to godly living, in identification with the Christ, SHALL SUFFER PERSECUTION, (Jn. 15:10; Acts 14:22; I Thes. 3:2-3; comp 2 Cor. 4:8-11).
    2) Evil men and seducers (im- posters and cheats) will become worse and worse - deceiving and being deceived, as they lead others astray and into sin, (2 Tim. 2:16; Titus 3:3; 2 Thes. 2:11-13). E.G.


    On Sunday morning, September 30, our hearts rejoiced when Paul Bratland publicly professed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour. It is our earnest prayer that he will follow on to know the Lord, in all His glorious fulness, and to serve Him in accordance with the order set forth in His Word. E.G.

THE PERIL .... CONTINUED

velvet-tongued rascals who have ALREADY GONE ASTRAY! He attempts to show how they insinuate their way into the confidence of those who, for some reason at the moment, are but "bits of women" - women in whose lives something is LACKING; often through an unhealthy and exclusive focusing of attention on their own SELF-interests. SELF-centeredness ALWAYS makes a person LESS THAN WHOLE!
    It is not unusual to find teenaged girls who take a morbid outlook on life FOR FEAR that they will never be able to GET A MAN OF THEIR OWN! And this at a time when life ought to be radiant with joy and gratitude for faithful friends, loving families and a rich bounty of blessings of which they seem to be totally UNAWARE!
    There are times when, after a few years of married life, a young woman, and mother, is overcome by an avalanche of SELF-pity. Her life simply does not seem to BE HER OWN! Thus, she begins to feel herself tied down, hemmed in and, perhaps, buried under a load of guilt for feeling as she does. She is NOT FREE! OH! how she yearns for liberty to LIVE AS SHE PLEASES!
    After all, the women's liberation movement has been barraging her with all sorts of propaganda about the ENSLAVEMENT she has, for so long, quietly endured! The psychologists have been telling her to "Think FOR YOURSELF!" - and that her happiness is "the most important thing in the world"! Then, there are all the TV romances which

glamorize extra marital relationships - subtly implying that one has not experienced COMPLETE WOMANHOOD if she has been tied down to ONE MAN! And far too often young women take in all this garbage without ever pausing to consider the irrationality of the philosophies that compete for her ear - much less questioning their validity in the light of that ETERNAL WORD OF GOD by which we must all be judged in the last day!
    SELF-LOVE usually leads to SELF-pity. A woman with such an outlook is fair game for the kind of unscrupulous, sensuous, conscious less wretches against whom Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:2-6. He urges the TOTAL REJECTION of the principle of SELF-LOVE. It will imperil the home, the church, and even the possibility of INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD!
    God's perfect plan for tranquility in both the home and the church is set forth in Ephesians 5:22-32. It is found in the principle of JOYFUL SUBMISSION to one another for the glory of God, (comp. Eph. 5:17-21; Phil. 2:3; Eph. 4:29-32).
    Before the individual heart can be at peace with God there must be a settling of the SIN-question; God is angry with the wicked every day! 1) Consciousness of sin-guiltiness must lead to REPENTANCE - which involves a change of mind toward God. This will involve an admission that God is RIGHT and that self is WRONG. It will also involve a repudiation of, and turning from, ALL KNOWN SIN. And it

will involve a NEW ATTITUDE of respect, reverence and love for God.
    Then, the repentant sinner must cast himself upon God's MERCY - trusting, unreservedly, in the One whom God has given to die as his Sin-bearer on the cross of Calvary, (Jn. 3:14-18; Rom. 5:1).
    Then, and ONLY then, may he receive the GIFT OF LIFE through the mercy and grace of God. E.G.


    Once again it was a blessing to attend the Pillar Bible Conference at the Hallmark Baptist Church near Mauldin, S.C. During the daytime sessions there were, as always, lively discussions of specific Biblical concepts. The worship services, in the evening, were of

the highest order - spiritually enriching and rejoicing the heart.
    May the Lord continue to bless Hallmark Baptist Church as they continue an earnest effort to discern God's order - to the end that they may walk therein. E.G.


    Beginning on Wednesday evening, November 21, through Friday (noon) November 23, Pastor John Coleman and the Calvary Cross M.B. Church, of St. Louis, Missouri, will be entertaining a Fellowship Meeting. Lord willing, I expect to BE THERE. DO YOU????
    During the past few years attendance at such meetings has slipped considerably. Perhaps, with a location more central than Rockford, more people will avail themselves of the opportunity this time.
    May the Lord richly bless this church as they prepare for this meeting. And may His name be honored, His people blessed and the bonds of Christian love strengthened among us. E.G.


    With this issue of the CLARION HERALD we begin our 21st year of "sounding a call to salvation, sobriety, watchfulness, fidelity and brotherliness in view of our Lord's return".
    It is only by God's grace, and through the prayers and liberality of our readers, that this ministry has been sustained. Will you pray that God will make it even more fruitful.