The Compulsion of Love
It was the constraint of love, not duty, that brought the Son of God voluntarily and gladly to die for man. It was the compulsion of this divine love, not duty, that constituted the impelling force in apostolic days, sending the gospel messenger to the ends of the known world. It was this same love, not duty, that stayed the martyrs through the welter of persecution in the Dark Ages. And it will be love, not stern, logical, irresistible duty, that will finish the carrying of this message of the everlasting gospel to every creature in these last days.
It is hard for man to learn that pressure, devices, work-ups, goals, competition, mechanical incentives, and the obligations of sheer duty fail in the hour of crisis. One cannot shame people into service or sacrifice, except to a petty degree. But where men make the supreme sacrifice, bringing their all, even giving their lives and wishing that they might do more —that is ever and always the product of the compulsion of love. Love ever carries us beyond duty.
L. E. F.
Our Twofold Responsibility
To the end of time we must remain a separate, distinct people, proclaiming a separate, distinct message. Popular Christianity has lost its message, and abandoned its Eternal Heart. It has incorporated papal apostasy into belief and practice. Our task is therefore twofold,—first, to restore the pure gospel in the consummating fullness imperative for these last days; and, second, faithfully to expose and warn against all the apostasies that pollute. One serious danger and peril is that in our burden to give the warning faithfully and fully we shall fail to present as faithfully and fully the gospel that is imperative to salvation. The warning informs and forewarns, but does not save. The matchless provisions of the everlasting gospel alone transform the life and save the soul. Blessed privilege that is ours, to be bearers of the good tidings of life as well as fateful heralds of death for rejection. Let us persuade men, entreating and leading them to life.
L. E. F.
The Lure of the Intellectual
Perhaps the heading is inadequate, or even misleading. But the intent is that there is danger lest we be fascinated and rest satisfied with a head religion rather than a genuine transformation of heart both for ourselves and for our converts. It is so satisfying to be in conscious possession of unanswerable truth. It is exhilarating to have evidence that cannot be gainsaid or successfully countered. And through opposition we are constantly compelled to give emphasis to these things. There is therefore an unconscious tendency to depend upon correct knowledge of the truth concerning Jesus and His salvation, rather than directly upon our divine Saviour Himself. It is not our correct doctrine that saves, but Jesus Himself. Doctrines inform the mind as to the conditions and facts of His provided salvation. But it is the direct personal faith in Him that brings to the soul the life He offers.
We are called to stand today as the defenders of doctrinal truth. But we are equally commissioned to bring Christian experience as an actuality into the lives of those whose doctrinal beliefs we correct. This has been perverted, obscured, and well-nigh abandoned by popular religionists. We are called to bring forth a people prepared by a spiritual experience to meet God, who will stand without an Intercessor after probation closes, having gained the victory over the dominion of sin and every besetment.
L. E. F.
Eternity Impends
While our faithful laity engage in self-supporting secular work, and with tithes and offerings make possible the opportunity of full-time ministry for us, ought not we who are thus supported by the sacred tenth, to devote our efforts without deviation to soul winning in either direct or definitely indirect forms? Verily we should shun all inviting secondaries and side lines. We should resolutely avoid those secular, social, ethical, or cultural interests that only consume time. and will soon perish.
We cannot rightfully live as did the faithful in centuries past. Our position is unique,—and our responsibility likewise. This tremendous fact should be pre-eminently exemplified in the ministry, both in the content and emphasis of our preaching and in our daily lives. It is not meet for us to serve tables. Our business is to warn and win and build souls. To this end let us rededicate our lives.
L. E. F.
Titles of Babylon
While high scholastic training is desirable,—if its recipient remains humble and reverent,—it is not imperative. Sometimes indeed the church is hampered by it. Among the twelve intimates chosen by Christ to be His apostles, none would be rated as scholars. Subsequently Paul became the outstanding intellectual believer of the early church. But he remained a humble child before God, and spoke of certain in his day "who seemed to be somewhat" (Gal. 2:6), but adds, "It maketh no matter to me." Jesus referred to the popular religious teachers during the period of His earthly sojourn, and indicated especially how they loved "greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi" (Matt. 23:7), but He added, "Be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Verse 8.
Fortunately, these outbursts are not widespread, and are considered bad taste and poor religion by the great body of our workers. Let us go on in simplicity with the truth as our credentials, and not seek to curry favor with an apostate world through appropriating the titles of Babylon.
L. E. F.
