'The infallible umpire

The infallible umpire

The throne of Russia was once occupied by two boy princes. They sat side by side and gave their decisions on the gravest questions.

Their judgments were so wise and just, that men marveled that princes so young and inexperienced, could know so much of statecraft, or speak with such discretion on questions so difficult.

But the secret was that close behind the throne where they sat, hidden by a thin veil, was the Princess Sophia. She heard the cases which were brought to them, and she gave the decisions which they delivered.

They referred every question to her, and waited until she had whispered to them the wise answer, which they gave out.

In like manner, the Word of Christ should dwell richly in our heart. We are to refer every matter to the Holy Spirit, and wait for His decision. Then what He bids us to do — we are to do.

Thus Christ will rule every thought , every feeling and every affection . He will settle every point of duty. He will sit as the infallible umpire in all questions of daily living — of duty, of relationships, of recreations, of business.

"I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation!" Psalm 119:99

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word." Psalm 119:9

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom." Colossians 3:16

The volcano is quiet and silent for years. No fires and lava pour forth from its crater. Meanwhile, people venture up its slopes, and lay out their gardens, and build their villas, and plant their vineyards.

And flowers bloom, and fruits hang in purple clusters, and beauty covers the once fire-swept, lava-furrowed mountain slopes. But has the volcano really been tamed? Have its fires been put out? Is all permanently peaceful in the volcano's heart?

Just so is the heart of a man, who has merely trained himself into good moral and ethical habits.

What the best mere self-culture can do for a life — is no more than the planting of flowers and vineyards on the volcano's sides — while all its fires still burn within, ready to break forth again any day in all their old fury! Good manners are not saving religion.

The heart must be changed. The heart of stone, must be made a heart of flesh. The heart that hates God, and holiness and purity — must become a heart that loves God, His holy ways, and His holy Word.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances." Ezekiel 36:26-27

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