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Duty of Man (concluded) Elder Philip N. Conley

Friends, much more could be said about each of these commands, as we have men-

tioned them being whole subjects to themselves. However, we have tried to skim the
high points to line out the fullness of the bounds that Peter here considers. Against the
backdrop of Christ, we see where He honours all men, even those that rose up against

Him. He was willing to heal the ear of Malchus in the Garden of Gethsemane after
Peter struck it off even though Malchus was part of the mob coming to arrest Him. He
chose Judas as one of the 12 though He knew that Judas was a devil that would betray
Him. Christ showed the highest order of love to His brethren by laying down His life
for them and also by displaying it in every step while He walked this low ground.

Christ showed His Father respect at every turn always doing those things that please
Him, and praying to His Father often while doing His Father's business. Finally, Christ
abode as a good citizen even to the point of avoiding a revolt that would have made

Him an earthly king. He also paid taxes to avoid offending others, while also not
assailing the high priest even when the high priest was wrong for trying Him in the
kangaroo court brought against Him. His conduct was pristine, even when those
around Him were handling Him wrongfully. Friends, why should we seek for less? Let
us be up and about in the Master's good way.

Do Nothing Elder Philip N. Conley

Evening Thoughts

All my life, I have been blessed to live in the church: being brought as a babe, a
member for 30 years, and a minister for the last 15. There likely has never been a
greater charge leveled at the Lord's bride in my lifetime - or perhaps ever - than, "If I

believed what you believed, I wouldn't do anything" or "I'd just live any old way that
I wanted to." Paul dealt with a similar mentality. (Romans 3:1-8) When someone is
faithful in their belief to the doctrines of grace, the sovereignty of God, and the utter
inability of man by nature to please God, this seems to be the natural and common

reaction from people in general. In years past when I was younger and hotter-headed,
I would try to draw and quarter my opponent with verbal arguments. As I got older
and wiser, I tried to hone and shape my points and illustrations that made easy to
follow corollaries. As I have gotten even older - perhaps wiser but certainly more

tired - I have generally smiled and said something to the effect, "I am living like I
want to." I do wish I had the silver bullet that would answer this charge and cure this
thinking. continued