The Try-Square
Most religions are meant to be straight lines, connecting two points—God and man. If man can be right with God, if he can please and pacify Him, all will be well. But Christianity has three points-God and man and his brother, with two lines that make a right angle. Each one of us is at the point of the angle, looking up to God and out to our brother. What God sends down the perpendicular line we must pass on along the horizontal. If one hand goes up to God, the other must go out to our brother.
That was the way Jesus stood, the Son of God and the Brother of men. What God gave him, he gave us. "All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." So He expects us to do. "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."
Let us, then, live as our Master lived and bids us live, giving our hearts to God, our hands to men. Even when I am alone in prayer, Jesus bids me say, "Our Father," remembering my brother. If God send me riches, I must bless my brothers; if poverty, I must set an example of rich faith. If He sends me health, I must divide my strength with others; if sickness, my patience must be a signal for God. If I am tempted, I must look both ways, and consider my brother as well as my God.
If I only looked to God, I might spend more money on myself, and drink wine and ride my bicycle Sunday afternoon, for in themselves these things may not be sinful; but when I look at my brothers, some poor, some weak, some worldly, I hesitate. The law of liberty would let me as I look up, but not the law of love as I look out.
Let us put this try-square on our lives and look both ways, doing that only which is both filial and fraternal. Then men who see our good works will look to see where the light comes from that blesses and brightens them, and through us they will learn to glorify God.
Maltbie D. Babcock 1858~1901 (excerpt from his book titled Thoughts For Every-Day Living)
Forwarded fromCarli • Saved by Grace
4September 4, 2026 40
