AS OLD as Jesus Himself, yet as new as tomorrow, is the force that is even now beginning its sweep through the religious world. Some have already dared to pronounce it a new reformation. But it might better be understood as a continuation or perhaps the climax of that Reformation which began when men of God in the Middle Ages began to turn to the Bible as the only authoritative basis of a living faith. The dynamic fundamentalism of the apostle Paul, who said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith" (Rom. 1:16, R.S.V.), is what is being emphasized in many of the needy lands of earth.
Sometimes it seems that Satan, the enemy of souls, is more aware of what is developing than are many Christians. His awareness is seen in his efforts to defeat this movement of dynamic fundamentalism even before it is launched. The rise of intense nationalistic feelings, the inroads of Communism and materialism, are evidences of the devil's desperation as he faces the full restoration in these times of the message and life of Jesus.
In a world as confused by pagan philosophies and the scarcity of the true witness to the religion of God as was the Roman world of Christ's day, the multitudes today, who do not know where to turn for authoritative moral witness, are just as eager as were the crowds of Palestine to hear the truths of the kingdom of heaven. But they need to hear them just as they were presented with assurance and authority by John the Baptist and Jesus.
The tragedy is that there has been a tendency to tone down that call to self-denial that rang through the hills of Galilee when Jesus proclaimed, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, for whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt. 16:24, 25, R.S.V.).
But it is not a toned-down gospel that people need. Nor does an anemic gospel appeal to them. Finding themselves in a moral and spiritual vacuum, they need reality. After eight years of association with the people of Japan—people who were left in a state of confusion as the result of World War II—I have become convinced that they are searching for that which challenges, changes, and satisfies. They want the straight message of Christ and the Bible, not a social gospel.
A thought that I have heard expressed several times by one of my favorite preachers needs to be given widespread emphasis. "Salvation is free, but discipleship costs all that we have" is the way he puts it. And salvation is just that. Paul states this truth in Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." But while salvation comes only as the free gift of God, yet it demands that we take up our cross and follow our Lord along the pathway of self-denial that leads to His kingdom.
And it was Jesus who said, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:14). One of the most interesting things about the gospel call is this: the greater the challenge that is given, the greater will be the response. It may seem strange and contradictory in this era of cradle-to-the-grave security that that which is most challenging and difficult can be at the same time the most attractive. But this was Jesus' appeal, and I have found that it can be most effectively ours.
However, if there is to be a new reformation in our times (and I am convinced there will be), then there must be revealed to mankind not only the unadulterated teachings of Jesus but the fullness of His perfect life. It is true everywhere and in every age that the strongest argument in favor of the gospel is the radiant loving witness of a truly Christlike life. And in no place is this more true than here in Japan.
If we are to make any impression on the non-Christian masses, Jesus must be seen in the life of His followers walking again the dusty, narrow streets of the Orient. He must be seen along the well-lighted boulevards of the West, among the huts of Africa, and amid the snows of the North. Only when a reflection of the beauty of holiness that is Christ's alone is seen in the lives of His professed people can the gospel message advance with power.
The present growing emphasis on the dynamic and fundamental truths of the Word of God will, I believe, result in the true witness of the life of Christ being carried to all the world. Thus, instead of the defeat of Christian missions by the forces of nationalism, Communism, and materialism, I envisage the Christian message making a greater dynamic impact on our world than at any time since the days when Jesus actually walked among men.
May we rise up and give the message the sure and certain sound that will challenge all who hear it to walk more closely in the footsteps of Jesus.
