This article is actually a letter, one that we feel will bring joy to the hearts of many of our readers. The writer of the letter never had a thought of its being published, for he was simply opening his heart to one of our leaders. It comes from the deep convictions of one who at present is doing strong work as a soul winner and leader of an evangelistic team. We have eliminated all names and places, but the sentiment expressed here is important to us all.—Editors.]
So many of our folks see no difference between righteousness by faith and righteousness by works. I believe the Lord is calling for a reformation in our preaching if we are to participate in the loud cry, which in my opinion is even now beginning. My story is long, but I will endeavor to give it briefly.
Although reared in a home where Christianity was given only lip service, Mother says my preaching began with a dictionary and an apple box for equipment. (We had no Bible.) I drifted far during my youth and when the Lord called me I was married to a girl of Adventist parentage. Well-meaning friends from the church tried to point out the physical and mental requisites to release from habits, but they did not avail.
I was converted in a forest, with a light rain falling as I felt crushed in spirit, lost, and helpless. It was then that Jesus came into my heart. I was later to learn the difference between intellectual assent to well-formulated doctrines, and a heart broken on the Rock of Ages.
As I entered the ministry after finishing college I felt ill-equipped to present Christ. Through the years the conviction grew that I had never learned to preach Christ. I tried more earnestly to mention the name of Christ in my sermons, but that was not it. I became so depressed that I came to the Lord and told Him that if I did not have the burden lifted and receive the assurance that I was uplifting Christ in every sermon, I must give up the ministry. The next Sabbath brought a thrilling answer to tearful prayers. After the service a soldier expressed it: "I have touched my Jesus." Those who knew him and his unselfish ministry during the war in __________ , affirm that he did touch Jesus. From that time on, I pledged myself with Paul of old to know nothing among those for whom I labored but Jesus and Him crucified, risen, and coming again.
Nothing critical is intended when I say that I have heard many sermons among our brethren in which the name of the Saviour was not even mentioned. Divine worship has in some instances become sales promotion, a concert, or a campaign springboard. All these things are important, but I can never feel that they belong to the worship hour. In my experience I have found that when men fall in love with Christ, there are no promotion problems or doctrinal difficulties. It is the unregenerate heart that is willful and selfish. Evangelists are sometimes blamed for losses, but I believe these losses would be minimal if we as ministers, both pastors and evangelists, would leave the barren hills of Gilboa and, breathing the fragrance of the Lily of the valley, trace His steps through Gethsemane to Calvary.
During my years in the Orient I have stood in heathen temples to watch men bow before gods of wood and stone. I have gone with the multitudes into Roman Catholic churches, made my way afoot beside those who inched forward on bended knee to the bier on which lay the image of the Crucified One, hand outstretched and red with blood. My heart has felt near bursting as hundreds with tear-stained cheeks knelt to kiss that nail-pierced hand. I longed to cry out, "He is not here, but is risen!"
Many times I have wondered whether, even yet, I am successful in presenting the righteousness of Christ. After your letter came I talked with_________ , who was pastor in ________ at the time that a series of meetings was held there. With tears in his eyes, he said that what impressed him most during the meetings was the way in which Jesus was exalted, no matter what the subject. My tears of joy mingled with his, because it was further evidence that the Lord is leading.
We have heard a great deal about making Christ the center of every sermon, but that, to me, is not the answer. We do not so much need Christ in the center of every doctrine as we need the doctrine centered in Christ. The difference may not be readily apparent to some.
In the early part of our series we endeavor to secure decisions for Christ quite apart from the doctrines, although they are, of course, woven in. When we present the Sabbath, man's condition in death, et cetera, we do not proceed in a controversial manner. These duties are but additional, though sometimes new, steps in following Christ. Features of our message that might offend those who may perhaps attend for the first time the night they are presented, are handled in the baptismal class rather than in the general meetings. When men are truly converted we have no difficulty with diet, dress, conduct, et cetera.
Surely the Lord has laid it on your heart to bring these things to the attention of our ministering brethren. The masterful deceptions of the last days are upon us, and many, contrary to the counsel given us by the servant of the Lord, are using the methods of other churches unwittingly. Some are emphasizing psychology and the counsel "chamber." With some reservation, for they do have their proper place, surely the Master would say to the counselee, "Go not forth!"
Recently I went into the home of a couple interested in our message. They had been attending our meetings, and in company with the pastor I called in their home. The lady told me that for years she had been seriously ill. Doctors had been unable to help. She felt impressed that if she gave her heart to Christ all would be well. She subsequently called on the pastor and explained her plight. As she related the experience to me she pointed her finger at the pastor and said, "I went to him for help and he tried to send me to a psychiatrist! But I told him I did not need a psychiatrist. I needed Christ!"
Thank God she found Him and was completely healed. Her husband marveled, and likewise accepted Christ; together they were baptized and united with the church. But what a stirring indictment of the Advent ministry was this unfortunate incident. I was embarrassed for the pastor, but it drove home with new clarity the need for the reformation in our preaching that you have stressed. May the Father of lights awaken us to give the trumpet a certain sound and to lead His people on to victory.
My heart is full as I contemplate the lateness of the hour, the hunger of God's people for living bread, and the apathy that characterizes so many in the sacred ministry. We have emphasized organization, the claims of the law, and health reform, but that emphasis has produced only criticism, strife for supremacy, professional jealousy, and a Laodicean torpor productive only of eternal death. I trust that you will join with me in prayer for myself and our brethren that we all may labor disinterestedly for the lost, counting all things loss that we might gain Christ. With Him ever before us we shall discern the dross that parades as gain: pride of position, denominational bigotry, literary degrees, theological superiority, and self-satisfaction.
May God bless you as you use your gifted pen to bring these important themes before our brethren. I have presented nothing new to you, but out of a full heart have expressed only a little of what I feel. A Jehovah's Witness preacher challenged me during a meeting recently, asking why I emphasized the second coming of Jesus so much in my sermons. I replied, "Because Jesus is coming again!" The time is at hand, yet so few believe it with heart and soul. The Lord is laying upon our hearts the need for a greater emphasis on the great truth of righteousness by faith, which "is the third angel's message in verity."
