"OF THESE STONES
"Got, is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham" (Matt. 3:9). The children of Abraham were God's ordained witnesses to a lost world of His saving grace. They had not fulfilled their own commitment to the divine purpose. They retreated instead behind the hallowed walls of proud ancestry. "We have Abraham," was their boast. Matthew reminds them of Abraham's ancestry. "Of these stones"—proudest man's ancestry is the dust. And by the same power that original man was created—others may be brought forth—"of these stones."
Not of sand which may he blown about by every shifting wind. Had not Israel in her inconsistency demonstrated this? Nor from dirt—for this would express too accurately the tarnished nature of the Hebrew record. Nor were these witnesses to come from mountain stone—a substance unwieldy—too difficult to move.
But "of these stones" could the witnesses come. Stones are hard enough to be effective. They may be launched in any direction from any point. Christ will be heard. His influence will be felt. To be a lively stone in the hand of the Almighty is man's highest privilege.
E. E. C.
OF UNCTION AND FUNCTION
THE New Testament church is commissioned of God to cover the earth with the gospel of grace. Clay Cooper in his book Nothing to Win but the World has something to say about this.
"The foundling church, covering between Easter and Pentecost, could never have contested the sway of Rome on the ancient world." He speaks of the descent of the Holy Ghost with power as the key to their transformation. They were indeed new men. Boldness replaced fear and their excuses became steps on the ladder which they climbed. "No unction—no function."
And of their impact? "Skeptics are swayed and unable to account for the dominion of these unlearned men." Mr. Cooper adds: "If in our confrontation with the godless, we are underpowered —it is no reflection on the Prime Mover." "One of the really significant needs of our times is a renewed awareness that the Spirit of God remains the only convicting, converting power in the universe." "Satanic forces are too well entrenched to be routed by less." "He is the answer to mediocrity." We should therefore seek this power in "full personal equation."
Finally let us "chisel this shackel from the ankle of the church, that 'evangelists are a special breed.' " If indeed they are, then how do you explain such laymen as the woman of Samaria, Mary Magdalene, and others? It seems that the possession of the gospel obligates its possessor to spread it. It is true that "he needs no call who has a command."
E. E. C.
STOP PRAYING!
THE signal victory of Israel over Jericho was soon eclipsed by their humiliating defeat at Ai. Not only were they shamed, but the spirit of fear gripped them. The record vividly describes their condition: "Wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water" (Joshua 7:5).
The extremity of the situation is portrayed in the actions of Joshua who--
- Rent his clothes,
- Fell on his face before the ark,
- Put dust on his head along with Israel's elders,
- Questioned God's judgment in bringing them over Jordan.
The response of God to Joshua's performance is significant. God in effect said, "Stop praying." The Lord seemed quite perturbed that Joshua would lie there on the ground sobbing out his troubles. "Get up! Why do you lie thus upon your face?" commanded God. Then the secret of their failure was divulged. Joshua's long, pleading prayers, or anyone else's prayers for that matter, wouldn't change the situation. It was not a time for prayer but a time for cleansing action. It was not a time for greater military activity or expansion of battle plans, rather a time for heart searching and confession. It was not a time for organizing, but a time for repentance. Willful, deliberate disobedience to God can and will cause defeat in our own personal lives as well as the life of the church. We who are waiting and longing for a second Pentecost should see to it that the Achans in our lives are put to death.
A hidden inward enemy renders us powerless against an obvious outside enemy. The pertinent question of the hour is, "Am I the man?" Have I been fervently praying for the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit while indulging in some known sin? A grieved Spirit is powerless to bless us.
J. R. S.
ONE CHURCH
The current wave of ecumenism must be taken seriously if it is to be properly assessed. The proponents of Christian unity are in earnest about this matter. Nor may we be seen to fight any sincere, Bible-based plan that would bring Christians together in meaningful spiritual fellowship. Indeed, many of the arguments now employed against ecumenism might logically be used against any form of church organization.
Let the record show that Seventh-day Adventists are not against church unity. Let our pastors and members demonstrate their interest in, and concern for, humanitarian community projects—and where possible work with Christians of other faiths for meaningful solutions. Let it be known that we are not "isolationists" but people with a message that involves the whole of mankind, and that civil and religious liberty is for us a primary concern.
It should be clear that our reservations lie in the basis for, and objectives of, the current movers in the ecumenical field. In short, union on what and for what? Is it union on the whole truth as taught in the Scriptures? And is it for the purpose of spreading the good news as a unified body to the ends of the earth? If so, we will join today! But there are serious questions. Is the present movement a coming together of minds and hearts on scriptural truth? Will it avoid the spirit of intolerance historically characteristic of all colossal monolithic agencies whether political or religious? Will its method be free of political coercion or can it? And further, what of conscientious objectors? These are the questions that dictate our policy of "limited involvement" unless and until these questions are answered. Meanwhile, we resolve ourselves to "continuity of purpose in a generation of change" (Lyndon B. Johnson).
E. E. C.
