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I. SOME WHO ARE FIRST IN NATURAL GIFTS ARE LAST IN SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

II. SOME WHO ARE FIRST IN OPPORTUNITY ARE LAST IN IMPROVEMENT.

III. SOME WHO ARE FIRST TO START IN THE RACE ARE LAST AT THE GOAL.

IV. SOME WHO ARE FIRST IN PRIVILEGE AT ONE TIME ARE LAST IN IT AT ANOTHER,

1. The fall of the race itself is a case in point.

2. The casting away of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles is another case.

3. The extinction of the Christian Church in many Eastern lands is a fact of the same kind.Concluding remarks:

1. These spiritual transpositions are the exception, not the rule. Other things being equal, the first will remain first. First in means, first in results; first in asking, first in receiving; first in faith, first in righteousness; first in self-culture, first in self-conquest; first in well-doing, first in well-being. When it is otherwise, something is wrong. The first place is not lost till it is abused.

2. Whilst this action of God is sovereign, it is never arbitrary. Men reap what they sow, and as they sow.

(J. E. Henry,M. A.)

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KJV: When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

WEB: When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' then he will answer and tell you, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'