EDITORIAL
Mr. Fidel Castro of Cuba has just recently honored us with a visit to our country. From his talk it would seem he has a rather exaggerated opinion of himself. One reporter described him as a man who felt he would leave a mark on history comparable to that of Jesus Christ Himself. It seems he feels he was raised up at this point in history to become man's deliverer.
There was another who made fantastic claims for Himself. I refer to Jesus Christ. He claimed to be the only-born Son of God; He claimed to be the long expected Jewish Messiah; He claimed that He was the Saviour of the world; He said that His words were given Him by the Father who sent Him; He said that these words would never pass away; He promised that all who would believe in Him and follow Him would have eternal life, and that all who refused Him would be lost forever.
I dare say you have never heard such claims before. "never man spoke like this man," reported they who had been sent to apprehend Him. And indeed no man ever had. Anyone who would make such claims for himself, is either speaking the truth and is all that he claims, or else is the biggest fraud, the greatest blasphemer, the worst liar that ever lived. If He was telling the truth, then we are obliged to believe in Him, to give Him our utmost devotion. If however, He had an exaggerated opinion of Himself, wasn't all He claimed to be, then we must turn from Him in horror as we would from the basest criminal. Some would tell us that He is not everything He claimed, but He was, nevertheless, a good man, a great teacher, a noble personage. Impossible!
But I am convinced He was and is all that He claimed. Thus I believe in Him, I am following Him, I have surrendered my all to Him. Several things have convinced me. For one, the Bible. The Bible speaks about Him; it is His Word. The Bible is a coherent whole even though written down by many authors, over a great span of time. Throughout its pages predictions are fearlessly made and accurately fulfilled. It has been fiendishly attacked as no other book, yet has come down to this present moment intact. It brings about a dramatic change in the life of the individual who adheres to its precepts.
And here is the main reason I believe Jesus Christ spoke truly of Himself. When I gave myself to Him, on the basis and promise of His Word, He changed my life completely. And I am not alone. There are literally hundreds of thousands who testify the same. Drunkards are made sober; thieves, honest; drifters, responsible men; prostitutes, pure; atheists, believers; the list is endless. Anyone who can do this for us poor debauched humans, is without doubt all that He claims to be.
And besides, who was ever born as He was born, lived like He lived, died as He died? Who else has ever come forth from the grave, never to die again? Who besides Him has left so indelible a mark on history, where the centuries of years are divided and identified by His name? Oh, blessed name!
It will not do that we sit back half-heartedly endorsing this One who claims so much. Either He is or He isn't what He claims. If He is, then He claims our faith. And when we believe, He proves Himself to us -- through the Word and by His Spirit. If He isn't what He claims, then He has no claim on us at all. He doesn't deserve even our mild endorsement.
But He is . . . I know He is . . . He's all He claims to be . . . When I took Him as my Saviour . . . He revealed Himself to me!
Sincerely yours,
Arthur E. Gordon, Editor
**********
Dear Shut-In . . .
EXCERPTS from
LILLIAN'S LETTERS
The following article appeared in the Christian Digest. I thought you would enjoy it as I did, or should I say, hang our heads in sadness at its truth?
Mrs. Prayer Meeting Dies A Horrible Death
Can this be the church where you worship?
Mrs. Prayer Meeting died recently at the First Neglected Church on Worldly Avenue. Born many years ago in the midst of great revival, she was a strong, healthy child, fed largely on the testimony and spiritual holiness, soon growing into world-wide prominence, and was one of the most influential members of the famous church family.
For the past several years, Sister Prayer Meeting has been in failing health, gradually wasting away until rendered helpless by stiffening of knees, coldness of heart, inactivity, and weakness of purpose and will power.
At last she was but a shadow of her former happy self. Her last whispered words were inquiries concerning marts of trade and places of worldly amusements.
Her older brother, Class Meeting, has been dead for many years.
Experts, including Dr. Works and Dr. Joiner, disagreed as to the cause of her fatal illness, administering large doses of organization, socials, contests, drives, and religious education, but to no avail.
A post-mortem showed a deficiency of spiritual food coupled with lack of fasting, faith, heart-felt religion, shameless desertion, and non-support as contributing causes of her death. Only a few were present at her rites, sobbing over memories of her past beauty and powers. Carefully selected pallbearers were urged to bear her remains tenderly away, but failed to appear. There were no flowers.
Her favorite hymns, "Amazing Grace" and "Rock of Ages," were not sung.
Miss Ima Modern rendered, "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," but none had any idea where this fancied isle might be. The body rests in the beautiful cemetery of By-Gone Glories, awaiting the summons from above. In Honor of her going, the church doors will be closed on Wednesday nights, save on the Third Wednesday of each month when the Ladies' Pink Lemonade Society serves refreshments to the members of the Men's Hard-ball Team.
Miss Lillian Butt suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. Before her illness she was a nurse.
**********
LEST I SHOULD BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE
(II Corinthians 12:7)
Hath He not set His seal upon my brow,
Appointing me to service, calling me
A chosen vessel? Doth He not endow
Me with His power His messenger to be?
Can I not boast of arduous work I've done?
Of visions and of mighty power in prayer?
Of sermons and of multitudes I've won?
Ah, no, He's given me a thorn to bear,
Lest I should be exalted, and He said:
"My grace sufficient is for needs of thine,
My strength is in thy weakness perfect made.
So boast not, for the glory must be mine."
I, Paul am willing, Lord, my thorn to bear.
Give me Thy strength, for that is all my prayer.
-- Cosa Elizabeth Reynolds
**********
Will We Know Each Other In Heaven
By Dana M. Pankey, D.D., Th.D.
YES, THE BIBLE teaches that born-again, saved, redeemed, blood-washed, Bible-believing people, certainly will know and recognize each other in Heaven! Salvation would be incomplete if we did not. But we can thank our Lord, and look forward to that glorious eternity when we shall be in our eternal Home which Jesus Christ has gone to prepare knowing that there will be full recognition of each other and our loved ones there. Those who have honestly repented of their sins here, and truly accepted and received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, can joyfully look ahead to seeing and knowing other Christians up there.
We read in I John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." The Word of God plainly says that we shall be "like him." There is no uncertainty about it, for it says, "we shall be like him." Jesus certainly knows all His children, and since "we shall be like him," we too shall know as He knows. Surely we shall have as much sense there as we do here, and we know each other here. We shall certainly know our redeemed loved ones in Heaven.
In I Corinthians 13:12 we read, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." Friends, what could be plainer than that? "Now," on this earth, we only know things "in part," dimly, as if looking through dark glasses, but we are fully assured in this verse that over there we shall see "face to face" and "know even as also (we) are known." This is not sentimentality. It means that I retain my identity as a person in Heaven. What kind of body it will be and how I shall look, is up to God. God has "prepared a place" for us, and in the ages to come he will show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7). Of course we shall know each other in Heaven. God has a record of His children, and our names are written in Heaven.
In Genesis 25:8 we are told that Abraham died an old man, full of years, and "was gathered to his people." This expression is used over and over with reference to the death of Old Testament saints. The expression does not refer to the burial of their bodies, but to the reunion of their souls after death. Such reunion would have no meaning apart from mutual recognition.
Upon the death of his son, David expected to meet and recognize him over there. David's words were: "But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (II Samuel 12:23.)
It certainly seems that Christ taught that the Patriarchs would recognize each other, and also others, in Heaven. In Matthew 8:11 we read, "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven." There will be fellowship together, in the closest communion, with the most eminent followers of God.
Now let us study about the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 17:1-5. Christ had taken three of His disciples up into a high mountain. These were Peter, and James, and John. He was transfigured before them. Moses and Elias appeared before them too. These two Patriarchs were talking to Jesus about His soon-coming death on the cross (Luke 9:30-31.) Peter spoke up and said to the Lord: "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." Now how did Peter know these heavenly visitors were Moses and Elias? There had been no introductions. But Peter knew immediately that these men who appeared were Moses and Elias. They had not lived on earth during Peter's time, in fact Moses had been dead for 1400 years, and Elias had been translated about 900 years ago. (Elias is Elijah of the Old Testament.) But Peter, who had never seen either of them before, recognized them immediately and knew them, and even called them by name. And if we shall recognize those whom we have never known in the flesh, how much more shall we recognize our loved ones!
Read carefully First Thessalonians 4:13-18. Here we see that at Jesus Christ's second coming "the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." This is plain enough. The "dead in Christ," saved people who have died the physical death, shall rise first. Then those who are still alive when Christ comes, will be caught up "together with them" to be forever "with the Lord." Most assuredly we shall know each other in Heaven.
This Scripture tells the believers not to sorrow over their loved ones from whom they have been separated for a time, as unsaved people sorrow who have no hope. Jesus is coming back again, and our loved ones who have died, or "fallen asleep" in Jesus, will be raised first, and then we who are alive will be transformed and caught up "together with them" to meet the Lord. The whole basis of this exhortation not to sorrow is that when we are caught up together with our departed loved ones, we shall have them again.
This all adds up to one thing: the Word of God plainly teaches that saved people will know each other in Heaven.
Dr. Pankey was forced to retire from an active ministry of evangelism when four paralyzing strokes laid him low in 1954. Since then, upon regaining some strength, he has become by mail "Pastor to the Sick and Shut-Ins." Although not as active as before his affliction, the Lord has been pleased to use him in this present capacity to help others in affliction. For an account of Dr. Pankey's struggle to become a useful servant of the Lord again, see the June, 1960 issue of Triumph.
**********
"WHICH WERE BORN"
By Herman A. Hoyt, Th.M., Th.D.
THE DIVINE sentence upon sin in the beginning was death in its fullest sense (Genesis 2:16-17). One aspect, namely, spiritual death was inflicted immediately (Genesis 3:7). Whereas the other aspect, physical death was imposed eventually (Genesis 5:5). "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12).
The divine solution for this condition of death was announced by Christ. It had long been promised, but the clear announcement awaited the coming of Christ. It was then that He announced it to a great teacher in Israel. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3). To give this announcement its proper setting, in the prologue to his gospel, the apostle John prepares the reader by associating this supernatural event with a proper relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The sublime fact forms the substantial portion of the statement, "Which were born . . . of God" (John 1:13). but in between the first three words and the last two appear a series of sweeping negatives, "not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man." These three negatives analyze and exhaust the efforts of men to simulate and substitute for the solution proposed and provided by God.
I. NOT OF BLOOD
The first of these negatives, "not of blood," insists that the solution for man's condition is not to be found in resident forces within, or any combination of them. Literally, the word "blood" is in the plural and suggests the blood streams that are joined in the natural process of birth. Looking deeper, this is just another way of saying that men universally have turned immediately to the substance of which they are made to discover the solution for the condition of death.
The first conclusion is that there lies within man himself, resident in his very nature, the solution to every problem. His present condition is merely the ordered unfolding of nature, and in due time the solution for any apparent evil condition will appear. The next conclusion is that combinations of this nature will produce the desired results. By careful selection and combination all undesirable elements will disappear in reproduction. This leads to a final conclusion that all that is good is inherent in the nature of men and will ultimately produce an aristocracy that will live forever. It is thus not difficult to see that the whole evolutionary process is suggested by this phrase, "of bloods," and resolves itself into an unchangeable determination that excludes moral and spiritual values and ultimately the need of God.
II. NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH
The second of these negatives, "nor of the will of the flesh," declares that the solution for man's condition is not to be found in resolution of will to seek after better things. If the remedy for sin is not to be found in what man is, then perhaps it is to be found in what man does. This is the reasoning of men. The flesh does recognize that there is some better condition than the one in which man finds himself. His will or desire is to reach that better condition, and so he gives himself to every conceivable species of self-effort. He employs physical effort to attain his goal. He expresses soulical effort to achieve his end. He even exercises the human spirit in his passionate desire to scale the heights of his ambition. There is no aspect of the human personality that is not brought into play in the hope that ultimately his condition will be changed.
There is no suggestion in the Bible that self-effort is not good in its place. The desire to throw off evil that lies within and to imitate the good that is without is commendable, and in its place has the approval of God and draws the encouragement of men. But in the basic issues of life it has no place. The dead self cannot produce effort that is anything other than dead. There is therefore just one solution. That must be the communication from without of something that is wholly absent within, life that is begotten by God.
III. NOR THE WILL OF MAN
The third of these negatives, "nor of the will of man," suggests that men believe the solution for their condition may come from relation to something he has invented. If the solution is not to be found in what man is, nor in what he does, then perhaps it may be found in what he has invented. This certainly includes everything that may be comprehended under the head of religious forms. Nothing more clever than religion has been invented by the reasoning of man to extricate himself from his dread condition of death.
Religion is essentially a series of forms intended to express a vital relationship to God. Apart from the life they are intended to represent, the system is merely dead formalism. But the system is still so pretentious that it has almost a hypnotic effect upon men. So subtle and seducing are these systems of religion that men everywhere have been attracted to them, not sensing their emptiness and futility. Some are philosophical in emphasis and attract people of culture. Others are ethical in emphasis and weave a garment of fascination for those who seek to do good. Still others, and by far the vast number of religions, place the emphasis upon ritual and ceremony and entangle the millions within the meshes of their influence. Yet there is no more hope in "the will of man" than any other hope operating on the human level.
IV. BUT OF GOD
The fourth phrase in this text is not negative. It is the simple affirmation of the one solution for man's condition of death. It is to be "born . . . of God." This is the significant fact. There is mystery in it. But that should not deter any of us. This is a supernatural operation. It is something performed by God and therefore is miraculous in nature. The processes are not declared, but the force of it is nevertheless marvelously felt. The change wrought in men is the infallible evidence of its validity. This is a spiritual event. Though its force is demonstrated in soul and body, yet its essence is in the realm of spirit.
Just as spiritual death was the immediate effect of sin, so spiritual life is the immediate effect of God's remedy for sin. In the order of the unfolding of God's purpose for men in salvation spiritual life will eventually be fully felt and the whole spirit and soul and body will be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Savior (I Thessalonians 5:23).
Dr. Hoyt is the Dean of Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana. He heads the Department of New Testament and Greek. Your Editor spent many profitable hours under the ministry of this choice servant of the Lord. I don't know of anyone in the ministry I more highly regard that Dr. Hoyt. -- Editor
**********
"O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?"
In the November, December (1957), and January (1958) issues of Triumph was featured a series of articles describing "Life On The Mission Field," by Fred and Sue Crozier, Missionaries to Alaska. Just recently this missionary couple watched by the bedside of their five year old daughter, Carol Sue, as she descended into "the valley of the shadow," where she was finally released from her suffering caused by leukemia. A letter from the Croziers dated September, 1960, rather than portraying a picture of defeat and gloom, radiates the triumph which can be realized at such times by the children of God. The letter is reprinted below. -- Editor
Kenai, Alaska
September, 1960
Dear Friends:
Carol Sue has gone Home. She passed away at 6:30 a.m., August 23rd, at our home. Very quietly she slipped away into the arms of Jesus. She had no fear for she had often talked of Heaven and being with Jesus. How glad we are for her, yet how very much we miss her. We wanted her service to be triumphant and a glory to our wonderful Lord. And it was! Several dedicated their lives to the Lord at the close of the service. "His grace is sufficient" is a reality to us. Someone once said, "As it sometimes rains when the sun shines, so there may be joy in the saint's heart when there are tears in his eyes." Second Corinthians 7:4 says, "I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulations."
Carol Sue was a real testimony. She realized the power in prayer and right up to the end she prayed and thanked the Lord for hearing her. The last time she was in the hospital she not only prayed for herself but for all the sick ones in the hospital. Her faith encouraged us many times.
We praise the Lord for the many blessings in the work here at the (Kenai) Chapel this past summer. There were fifty-some decisions at camp, so pray with us that these young people will go on in the Lord. The week before Carol Sue's going we had a missionary conference here. The Lord blessed in the salvation of souls and the strengthening of the Christians' faith.
A memorial fund has been started for Carol Sue for the Solid Rock Bible Camp.
We would like to thank you for the many expressions of sympathy which have meant a great deal to us at this time.
Most sincerely in Christ,
THE CROZIER FAMILY
The Scripture that came to mind as I read the above, was Second Corinthians 15:55,57: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -- Editor
**********
SERMON SERIES
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER
No. 15
TURN THAT OTHER CHEEK
I Peter 2:18-21
IF SOMEONE slapped me on the cheek I'd knock his head off," said Nikita Khrushchev, with an appropriate gesture. This was his opinion of Jesus' command to turn the other cheek. Some may raise their eyebrows in surprise. But is the American philosophy much different? Do we not hear from every quarter that we must stand up for our rights? It seems we have almost forgotten this divine principle.
Jesus said, " . . . resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." He continues: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:39,44)
This principle was no stranger to the New Testament writers. Peter in our present text calls for such conduct. We divide it into three considerations: first, a Practical Situation; second, Praiseworthy Conduct; and third, the Perfect Example.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
"Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward" (18)
Peter here addresses household servants. These were domestics working in the house of their masters, holding a closer relationship to the family than other slaves. Apparently there were quite a number of these servants, that Peter would devote this much space to them. This text does not condone slavery but teaches merely the proper conduct of Christian slaves.
God's command to Christian slaves is: "be subject to your masters." The word "subject" in the original is made up of two words, one meaning "under," the other "to assign a place." The middle voice directs the action back toward the actor and the present tense makes it continuous. So the command is, "be always assigning yourself a place under your masters with all fear and reverence."
Now this would not be difficult "to the good and gentle." Who could not return good for good, gentleness for gentleness? "Do not even the publicans the same?" It doesn't take a very big soul to do this. But another proposition is presented. "Be subject . . . also to the froward." This is not so easy. Yet this is what God requires of Christian household servants. Even to the unfair and surly they were to continually subject themselves.
To apply this command to our day we might make it read: Employees, be subject to your employers with all due respect; not only to the equitable, but also to the surly. At this point the employees raise a protest, backed by their union. They want some assurance that the employers will act as they should. But this is not the concern here. There is teaching elsewhere for the employers. "Masters," commands God, "give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." They are answerable to God for this command; but so are we answerable to God for the command in our text.
Of course the comparison does not follow through 100 percent. Not like those servants we may pick up and leave if the boss gets too rough. But even though we have this right, the principal remains the same. We as servants in God's household and of His Christ must not only act the part to our heavenly Master, which is easy, for He is "good and gentle," but also toward our fellow men who are not always so kindly disposed toward us, but who are at times even downright hateful. But whether or not they are kind or unkind, whether or not they react to us kindly or unkindly is not our concern. Our primary concern is that we obey God in this matter.
PRAISEWORTHY CONDUCT
"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God" (19-20)
"For this is thankworthy . . . " This actually says in the Greek, "for this is grace." Do you want a picture of grace? Here it is. When someone treats you badly and you react, not in like manner, but patiently, returning good for evil, you are extending to that one grace or favor. It is favor he doesn't deserve, favor he surely hasn't earned. All he deserves is your wrath. When you return him blessing for cursing, good for evil, "this is grace."
But what motivates such conduct? We find it in our text: "for conscience toward God." This word for "conscience" really means "joint-knowledge." As servants of God, we know God. This knowledge prompts us to react as we know He wants us to. He wants us to react just as He has reacted toward us. How was that? God dealt with us in grace.
We were enemies of God by our own rebellion. We spurned and blasphemed Him; we turned to other gods; we "slapped" Him in the "face" more than once. Yet instead of evil He showered upon us favor and blessing and grace -- divine grace. All we deserved was divine wrath. With such knowledge how can we react in any other manner toward those who ill-treat us?
"For what glory is it," continues the text, "if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?" There is no "glory" or praise due us if we bear up manfully under suffering we deserve. We get no stars in our crown for that. We're getting what we deserve; we should bear it patiently.
"But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." This is another matter. God's smile of approval is upon the Christian servant who is subjected to abuse for doing good, and takes it patiently. In this there is praise and "glory." "This is acceptable with God" The Greek word for "acceptable" is the same as was translated above, "thankworthy." It is the word "grace." As far as God is concerned this kind of conduct is grace. This is not to say that such conduct can win for us salvation with God, but that with such conduct He is well pleased, and with such persons He is well pleased.
Some may wonder why the worldling should want to treat the Christian in an evil manner. This is something like the dog biting the hand that feeds him. But this should not seem strange. This is as old as history. Why did Cain kill Abel? "And wherefore slew he him?" asks John, "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." Why did King Saul try to pin David to the wall with a spear, when all David ever did to him was good? Again, because his own works were evil, and David's righteous.
Abel's righteous deeds brought conviction of sin upon his brother. David's righteous deeds brought conviction of sin upon his king. John thus concludes: "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." Why shouldn't it? Your good deeds bring them under conviction. The natural reaction is to bring you under abuse.
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial . . . as though some strange thing happened unto you." "For even hereunto were ye called" (21a). When Christ called us from the world unto Himself, He called us into a life of suffering. We need expect nothing else. But He expects more from us than retaliation. We must meet their ill-treatment with constant, positive, definite good.
And we have not been left without an example.
PERFECT EXAMPLE
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (21).
Servants, look to your Master! "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" (Hebrews 12:3). See Him in the pages of Holy Writ. See Him bearing patiently the slanderous remarks of His enemies, the gibes, the spittle, the slaps and punches. See Him submitting meekly to the frenzied mob, the thorny crown, the nails, the cross, the jeers. Hear Him utter His harshest words: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Some would make Him a victim of circumstances, a martyr for a lost cause. Such was not the case. He had come for this very thing. He came to die. He died for our sins. He bought with His own blood our eternal redemption. And in the process He left us "an example."
Literally, He left us a "writing-copy." First-graders know something of this. Not many days pass before they are introduced to the large letters and numerals above the blackboard. They are handed a paper on which they are to practice writing these figures. They spend the rest of their life practicing them. Christ is our "writing-copy." He is our "example." How are we to conduct ourselves? -- Just as He conducted Himself. How shall we take wrongs done to us for no reason? -- Just as He took wrongs done to Him for no reason.
But as in learning anything worthwhile, we shall have to practice. We shall have to practice constantly. We shall spend the rest of our life putting into practice what we see in our Example.
Peter now takes us from the school room to the out of doors. Says he, "Christ . . . suffered for us . . ., that ye should follow his steps." This might be illustrated by the young boy following closely in the footsteps of his father through the deep snow. We are here told to follow close upon our Master, to walk in His footprints. And where do His footprints lead?
They lead to Gethsemane's garden, through Pilate's judgment hall, and up Mount Calvary. How may we recognize His prints? We have but to see the drops of blood along the way. You may be sure that His path is straight, narrow, and vexing. Few there are who care to walk it. And those who do, find themselves stumbling at times, and sometimes faltering and fainting by the way. No easy trail is the one Christ has blazed for us. It cost Him His life-blood; it may very well require the same of His followers. And it is no more than right that it should be so. Theodotus, noble Christian martyr of the fourth century, having been mercilessly tortured by the enemies of Christianity, pointed to his own mangled body and said, "It is but just that a Christian should suffer for Him who suffered for us all."
But lest you grow discouraged at such prospects, though the way is narrow it is the path which "leadeth unto life." After the garden and the judgment hall and the cross and the tomb, comes resurrection morning. Jesus never once took His eyes from the end of the path. We must never take our eyes off Him, "Looking unto Jesus . . . who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising (and ignoring) the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
**********
THE MYSTERY OF SUFFERING
Why, Oh, why this awful pain that I have had?
If God is love, then why am I so sad?
I thought that love meant only, always bliss;
Where then is the love that lets me stay like this?
My child, chastening for the moment seemeth vain,
But fruits of right-ness follow in its train;
If thou art exercised thereby today,
Know that those I love I chasten in this way.
And should the burden grow too hard for thee to bear,
Know dear child, that I, thy God, am always there.
My God! now I see as Thou hast told it me,
And thus I yield this present state to Thee,
And with the Lord I say, "Thy will be done";
For to suffer means to reign with Thy dear Son.
-- a.e.g.
**********
