To be a Christian is not merely to be a child and to rest upon the arm of the Father. _It is to make real the love of the Father, in the steps of Jesus Christ, among those who have fallen by the wayside._ _You are a Christian._ _Are you?_ And one thing more. Howard did not lose anything by relinquishing his glory and rights like a Christian. Far from it! He gained by it. He was placed beside the supreme commander at the head of the entire army. Thus with us. When Jesus demands of us that we as _Christians_ shall bring sacrifices, then it is not for the purpose of causing us any _loss_, or to make us _advance_ something for which we will not be reimbursed, but simply to enable us to receive more from Him. Such advances He changes into an income for us. We will receive a hundredfold. We will be qualified to be at the front, and by His side we approach the goal. YOUR WORDS (MAT. 12, 37) "FOR by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Isn't this a strange way of speaking? If Jesus had said: "By thy works thou shalt be justified, and by thy works thou shalt be condemned", then I would have immediately conceded that this was good common sense. Actions are something tangible, something you can get the actual "feel" of, but words--why, they often are nothing but hot air. Still Jesus says: "By thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned"--so, I must accept that. When, then, I think of the words I have spoken, at home, in the church, in the midst of the congregation, I cannot conceal _to_ myself the fact that there were many empty words among them. Not only that--there were also some mean words, and when they are to be measured by Him who never sinned, and whose lips never knew deceit, then I must tell myself: There is enough right here to condemn you! And I am possessed with _fear_ and worry because of my own words. If I revert to the good words I may have spoken, it isn't much better. And still, I cannot say but that I doubtless have spoken some good words, and that they may have been of benefit to some. I am quite certain that I often have spoken good words at sick-beds, in the homes and in the church--words that were willingly listened to just because they were good words, that really did comfort those who were sick and had sorrowful souls--words that were something more than sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal--words that were inspired and filled with the warmth of my heart--words in which I myself rejoiced sincerely, and for which I could never sufficiently thank God that He gave me the grace to utter them.