TRIUMPH -- November 1957
Editorial
The following is part of a letter which we have received from a reader of "TRIUMPH." It is typical of letters that we receive every day. I put it in to encourage you to continue to pray for this ministry.
Dear Rev. Gordon,
You'll never know the lift that the "Triumph" gave me that first time I received it. It had been a very trying day for me and old Satan was giving me a hard time until I went to the mailbox and found that wonderful booklet. May God bless you and your family and may you be able to continue the "Triumph." It is a real inspiration to me, being in good health, so I know how shut-ins will enjoy it. I am passing mine on to friends in hospitals.
A Friend in Christ in Pennsylvania
I want to call your attention to page three in this month's edition of TRIUMPH. There you will find the first of a series of three articles written by Fred and Sue Crozier, missionaries to Alaska. This first article is centered about the missionaries themselves. The second will be about the people to whom they minister, the Aleut. The third will present the greatest need of the missionary.
I am sure this series will interest you and I trust challenge you. The missionary needs our help as he carries the "good news" of Christ to those in darkness.
Sincerely yours,
Art Gordon
Dear Shut-In
In September's issue of TRIUMPH I wrote concerning God's comfort during our afflictions and, in turn, our comforting others. This month I would like to point out the Agent of this comfort, the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has different ministries to perform which are indicated many times by the names given to Him. One of these names is found in John 14:16 where Jesus calls Him "the Comforter." Literally, this means, "one called alongside to help." We have been reminded numerous times that the Holy Spirit came to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment and that He instructs the Christian in the Word, but I wonder, how often have we considered Him in this role of Comforter? What a wonderful thing to know, that we actually have God, the Spirit, present with us and in fact living in us.
Someone might ask, "How can we have this Agent of comfort in our lives?" The answer: receive Christ as your Savior. The moment you do this the Holy Spirit enters your body and performs the miracle of the "new-birth." Thus He seals you until the day Christ comes back to call you to Himself in Heaven. From that time forward, the Holy Comforter ministers to you.
Let me caution you, though, on one point. The Holy Spirit ministers comfort through the Word of God. He never works contrary to or apart from the Bible. Therefore, when your burdens become too heavy to bear--yes, why wait 'till then--get your Bible down, dust it off and begin to read. Trust the Spirit to fulfill His ministry in your needy heart. Before long you will know why He is called "the Comforter."
Current Events & Comments
SPUTNIK - What was your reaction when you first heard the news of Russia's latest achievement? A momentary twinge of fear went through me when I heard. I say momentary, for instead of permitting the fear to linger I immediately began to reflect on the promises in God's Word. If you are a Christian you know what I mean.
This new advancement in science started me to thinking and I put my thoughts down on paper. It finally developed into a manuscript which I have submitted to a tract company for possible publication. I felt that God would have me also put the article in this month's TRIUMPH. So here it is:
SPUTNIK--ROCKETS--H-BOMB--A-BOMB Is There Any Hope For The Future
Russia's latest scientific advancement (Sputnik) has caused no little stir in the world. The reaction to this man-made moon is varied. Some have received it with little apparent concern. Others have been greatly unnerved. It has caused many to wonder what the future holds, and well it might.
Of course, as we look back over the years, this is only one of a whole series of scientific achievements, each one adding to the uncertainty of the future. The A-bomb brought its dread for the future. The H-bomb brought even greater fear. Then came the rockets and intercontinental missiles with powerful rocket launchers. Now, the eerie, mystical, Russian satellite is speeding through space. Is man inventing his own destruction? Is the wisdom of man plotting against his very existence? No one can deny that this globe of ours is sitting upon a veritable atomic "powder keg." One spark from any corner could send this world of ours into a great conflagration. What can we do? Where can we turn? To whom can we look? IS THERE ANY HOPE?
The Bible commands, "hope thou in God." Not until we humans learn this truth shall we escape the dreadful possibility of destruction. For illustration we again turn to the Bible. It is declared of Israel in the days of Isaiah the prophet: "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted" (Isaiah 31:1,3,6).
To make this more appropriate for our day we might change the wording to read thus: "Woe to them that go to the leading nations for help; and trust in planes, bombs, and rockets, because they are many; and in the army, navy, air force and marines, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One, neither seek the Lord! Now the leading nations are made up of men, and not God; and their weapons of metal, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both the nations and the individuals shall fall down, and they all shall fail together." Is there any hope? Only in one direction! "Turn ye unto him from whom the children of the world have deeply revolted." "Hope thou in God."
The Scriptures point out two types of people in the world: those having hope, and those without hope. In Ephesians 2:12 we are introduced to those having no hope: "That at that time ye were without Christ . . . and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no HOPE, and without God in the world." Those without hope are those without God and without Christ in this world. The other group, the hopeful ones, is seen in Titus 2:11-14; 3:7, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men . . . that . . . we should (be) . . . looking for that blessed HOPE, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity . . . . That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life." In another place we read, "Christ in you, the HOPE of glory." (Colossians 1:27) Those with hope are those who have God and who have Christ in this world.
Now, for the question that concerns you. Have YOU hope for the future? To which of these groups do you belong? Your future need not be dark and foreboding. You can, if you will, join the ranks of the hopeful by turning back to the God of hope.
The "blessed hope," the "hope of glory," the "hope of eternal life," can be yours for the taking. They are found in Christ Jesus the Lord: ". . . as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
Sermon Series - IV
The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians - (Continued)
Chapter 1, Verse 4.
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God."
There are certain "gems" in the Bible which should not be taught to the nonchristian. They would not be appreciated if they were thus taught. In fact, many professing Christians do not appreciate some of these "gems." Our study in I Thessalonians brings us this month to one of these precious "gems."
BRETHREN BELOVED
The Apostle Paul is addressing those whom he terms as "brethren beloved." Brethren indicates their relationship to the preachers. They were brethren in that they had a common Lord. Paul was a Jew; the converts were gentiles, yet they were vitally related in Christ Jesus. The term "beloved" no doubt indicates their favored position before God. Yes, we could even say, their relationship to God. They were beloved ones of God. The margin in my Bible reads, "Knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election." God has not loved us with a passive love, but with a love that has worked for our salvation. His love sent His Son to a sin cursed world to die for a sin cursed people. The tragedy of tragedies is that sin cursed man will not respond to His great love.
KNOWING
The preacher declares that he knows something about these "brethren beloved." In our present study we will not be concerned with how he knows but with what he knows about them. Next month when we study verse 5 we will find out the "hows" of his knowledge.
ELECTION
He knows their "election of God." He knows that God has elected these Christians to salvation. They were chosen of God to believe the gospel and be saved eternally. Should I tell you how I used to feel about this subject? I'll tell you this much, I hated even the mention of either of the words, "predestination," or "election." If the speaker mentioned these words with approval at the beginning of his message, he lost at least one listener for the remainder of his message. But since then the Lord has shown me the beauty of these gems in His Word and I rejoice in them continually.
One man defines election thus: "by election is meant that act of free grace by which God destines individuals to become believers in Christ." A more involved definition goes like this: "election is that eternal act of God, by which in his sovereign pleasure, and on account of no foreseen merit in them, he chooses certain out of the number of sinful men to be the recipients of the special grace of his Spirit, and so to be made voluntary partakers of Christ's salvation." This last definition requires a slow and thoughtful reading. The Greek word, translated "election" in our verse above, is used seven times in the New Testament. Once it is translated "chosen." In every instance it refers to God's choosing of certain ones to be saved, not because of any merit on their part but for His own purpose and pleasure. The one verse that might seem to be contrary to this pattern is II Peter 1:10, " . . . give diligence to make your calling and election sure . . . . " This does not mean that man has a hand in his own election, but that he must prove his election by his consistent Christian life. We have a similar teaching in the Epistle of James where we are exhorted to show our faith by our works.
There will be objections raised to this teaching. Someone is going to say that if election is really taught in the Bible, then God is unfair or unjust. In answer I quote Paul in his Roman epistle, ". . . Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" the obvious answer to his last question is, Yes, He does have this right. Every person in the world deserves only one thing and that is punishment for his sins. If God chooses some of them for His special grace, is He unfair to the rest? No, they deserve their punishment. We do not consider the governor unjust who pardons one prisoner and leaves the rest in prison, yet we would condemn God for a similar act.
Another objection which is regularly voiced against this teaching is that this leads to apathy in working and praying for souls. The answer to this is easy. We do not and cannot know whom God has chosen, therefore, we must try to win all we can. If we knew as God knows, this objection might be valid and we could spend our time with only the elect, but we don't. We might also answer that God has not only chosen certain ones to be saved, but also the means by which they will be saved. A part of those means is your effort in prayer and witnessing. If these answers do not satisfy, we still have the command of Christ which is enough for me "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Any person who would use the teaching of election as an excuse to stop praying and working for souls is blatantly disobeying Christ's command and revealing his lack of love for Him.
The last objection we will consider is the one which says that this teaching destroys the freewill of man. In answer I say: both election and man's freewill are taught in the Scriptures. Therefore, we must accept both. To see both God's part and man's part we again look into the Scriptures: "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." God's part is: a. God chose, b. the Spirit sanctified. Man's part is: a. man believed the truth, b. and he propagated the truth. Man's will fits into God's eternal plan. Man must believe in Christ or be eternally lost, but those chosen will believe.
I trust that this precious gem from God's eternal truth will encourage many of you who have embraced the Gospel of God. God had you in mind in eternity past. He will have you in mind in eternity future. At this moment, in fact, you are resting in His eternal love. " . . . no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand," declares Jesus.
(Continued next month)
Life on the Mission Field
A DAY WITH THE CROZIERS IN ALASKA
I am the missionaries' cook stove. I shall tell the story of a day in the home of the missionaries. After all, who is better qualified than I? I am usually the center of attraction every day of the year. I am not the most beautiful stove in the world but I do my job well. I suppose some people would consider me old-fashioned, but the Croziers seem to like me and that is all that is necessary, Well, let's get to the story . . .
First, I shall introduce the missionary family. Fred is the father and takes care of the jobs around the house that require masculine hands. He conducts the services at the chapel and does the preaching. By the way, Fred built the chapel and has also made our house more comfortable to live in. Sue is the mother and helpmeet to Fred. Her primary duty is caring for the children, but on Sundays she helps with the chapel services. Jimmy is the energetic big brother (age 10). Fredericka is the petite little lady of six. Then comes roly-poly two year old Carol Sue and last, but surely not least, Gordon who just a few weeks ago made his debut into the family. Now, for a typical day . . .
Brrrrr------ing, it's 5:30 a.m. and time to begin the day. You guessed it, the children jump from their beds and, with clothes in hand, rush to my side in the kitchen. After being half baked on each side, they begin dressing. Fred cleans the porch and walks of the previous night's snow. Jim soon joins him, working full speed so that he can get to the wood pile and split the kindling for the heater. Inside Fredericka has the table set for breakfast. Sue has the usual menu prepared which consists of oatmeal, coffee, powdered milk, orange base and homemade cinnamon buns. The children are soon quieted down from the talk and laughter at the table and the Bible is opened for devotions. Each one has a part in the prayer time, remembering most of the village people by name.
After breakfast Fredericka clears the table as Jim prepares to wash the dishes. Carol Sue spills her crayons in the center of the floor and is busily scribbling in the first book available. The living room heater is again fired up while Sue kneads the bread. Having the morning chores pretty well taken care of, the family is ready for another active day.
Jim and Fredericka pile their school books on the table in preparation for their morning of study. Sue is their teacher using the Calvert Course for home study. Many interruptions occur with the village children wanting to visit and Carol Sue and Gordon wanting to eat.
Fred has a choice of jobs: gathering, sawing or chopping wood, pumping oil, visiting, studying, or writing letters which are much overdue. Today he is writing letters since the weekly mail plane is due in at noon. Just as the missionaries are enjoying their lunch of smoked salmon, crackers, and soup the plane flies over the village. Fred, still munching on a piece of salmon, grabs his coat and hat and rushes out to meet the plane.
Three p.m. finds Fred hiking the mile back from the Post Office with a sack of mail. He delivers letters to each home and, of course, is expected to stop long enough for a cup of coffee at each one. The mission home, last along the river bank, is finally reached. The first question comes from the children: "Is there a box from Grammy?" As they are reading the welcomed letters from home, a knock is heard. Valen enters looking very troubled. Her little brother is sick and her mother wants Fred to come and help. He was a very sick little boy so Fred made a quick call by radio-phone to the Doctor in Kodiak asking advice. The Doctor prescribed penicillin and this meant another two mile walk. Every six hours, Fred went to give the boy another injection.
After the evening meal and the children are snuggled in their beds, some young fellows and girls come to visit. This is an every night occurrence. They ask many questions concerning the States and also about religion. This gives the Croziers opportunity to witness of their wonderful Lord, and to tell how He can save them from their life of sin.
Before retiring at 10:30, the needs and burdens of the village are again remembered before the Throne of Grace. "How sweet it is to commune with our Saviour at the end of a busy day," agree Sue and Fred. They also thank Him for keeping them and for the privilege of being missionaries. They are reminded of His Word in I Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
