VOL. XXVII DECEMBER 1944
NO. 12 Blessings Derived from Continuance in Prayer Human Works vs. Works of the New Creature Seated Together in Heavenly Places "Peace to Men of Good
Will"
"Be not afraid! For lo! I bring you good
tidings of a great joy, which shall be for all the people: That there hath been born unto
you this day a Savior -- who is an Anointed Lord -- in the City of David! ... Glory in the
highest unto God! And on earth peace, to men of good will." - Luke 2:10-14,
Rotherham, and Tischendorf Footnote. THE THUNDER
of burly guns, reverberating to. day in the ears, of "all people" of earth, well
nigh drowns out the sweet strains of the angelic Proclamation echoing down the corridors
of time, from that first Christmas morning. Instead of the promised peace, the art, the
science, and the practice of war are still, after nineteen centuries, the chief
pre-occupation of mankind. It is
therefore no wonder that men generally have come to regard this heavenly Proclamation as
being in the same category as the Santa Claus tradition a pleasant story for children, a
tender reminder of a young mother and her babe, "lying in a manger," and so of
all motherhood and childhood, of sweetness and light; and, perhaps, of a kindness of
intent on the part of heaven and of a God who means well, but cannot do much practically
to end the woes of earth. Because of
the long delay and apparent failure, the sweeping significance of the Proclamation has
been generally overlooked or disbelieved. Still do "the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together, [unwittingly] against Jehovah and against His Anointed." The lords of earth
-- of the present order-would not dare set themselves against the Creator of the Universe,
or, against His Son, did they recognize that They are
the authors of the "bands" and "cords" that hamper them. These
comparatively slight hindrances on the reign of selfishness and evil, during the past
six thousand years, have been mostly through What the Apostle calls "the
foolishness of preaching" - mere talk. A
modern and typical instance of the continual conspiracy of earth's rulers to rid
themselves of these "bands" and "cords" has been the effort on the
part of the European dictators and their associates to destroy the influence of
Christianity on their peoples. "Yet" -- in spite of all disbelief, and
conspiracy and confusion and opposition, "Yet," saith Jehovah, "I have set
My king upon My holy hill of Zion." This is a prophetic statement of divine
intention, not of previously accomplished fact. Not yet has the head of "this
present evil world," Satan, been laid hold upon by the Apocalyptic Messenger and
bound "with a great chain" for a thousand years. Not yet have his kings, been
bound with chains, and his nobles with fetters of iron, as it is declared they shall be.
Not yet has his kingdom felt the "iron rod" of Jehovah's King, dashing it to
pieces like a potter's vessel. Not yet has the King, so "set" by Jehovah;
assumed His throne and issued His own inaugural Proclamation: "I will tell of the
decree: Jehovah said unto Me, Thou art My Son;, this day have I begotten Thee" (or,
"brought Thee forth" - Young; or, "acknowledged Thy paternity," or
"declared Thy pedigree" - Num. 1:18). "Ask of Me and I will give Thee the
nations for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the, earth for Thy
possession....'' "Behold, I make all things new. It is accomplished! I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of
the fountain of the water of life freely." - Psalm 2; Rev. 21:5-8. But-"Who
hath believed our' message, and to whom hath the Arm of Jehovah been revealed?"
"I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth," said Jesus, "that Thou
didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto
babes." The world drowses on in darkness; it does not hear the Christmas
Proclamation. But when the due time comes, there will be no delay, no hesitation, no
procrastination, no commutation of sentence upon an evil and rebellious world. "For a
full end, and that determined, will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, make in the midst of all
the earth." (Isa. 10:23.) The sovereignty of this King whoser birth on earth we
celebrate, is to be autocratic; His dominion co-extensive with the boundaries of earth. Herein is an
apparent inconsistency in the Proclamation of the herald angels, as reported in the
Authorized Version of our Bible. It promised, without limitation, "Peace on earth,
good will toward men." But the following nineteen hundred years have been years of
warfare on earth; and the Kingdom of Christ, as foretold by all the Prophets, will be
inaugurated, not by peaceful means, but by force, involving the destruction or restraint
of His enemies. However, when the most ancient manuscripts of the Gospel are examined,
the inconsistency disappears. All three of these MSS, the Sinaitic, the Vatican, and
Alexandrine, show that the text originally read: "Peace on earth to men of good will." . The Peace is extended
only" to those who, like the King Himself, "love righteousness and hate
iniquity." "Great peace have they who love Thy law." On the contrary, "There is no peace, saith Jehovah, to the wicked." "Oh, that thou hadst
hearkened unto My commandments! then had thy
peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." It would
appear that; the Apostle Paul had the Proclamation in mind when he wrote to the Romans:
"God . . will render to every man according to his works . . . unto them that . . .
obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation, tribulation and
anguish . . . but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good." - Isa.
48.18 24; Rom 2.1 11 All this is
not inconsistent with the prophecies that paint the peace and prosperity of Christ's
reign. Inaugurated as it will be amid scenes of violence, all opposition will be quickly
suppressed. Once the intent and adequacy of His authority becomes generally known, the
reaction of the people of. earth will be as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah: "It shall
come to pass in that day that Jehovah will' punish the host of the high ones on high. [the
evil spirits, spoken of in Eph. 6:12] and the kings of the earth upon the earth... . For
Jehovah of hosts will reign in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem.... And it shall be said in
that day, Lo, this is our God; we have 'waited for Him and He will save us: this is
Jehovah; we have waited for Him, we- will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
(Isa. 24:21, 23; 25:9.) St. Peter declared in his second recorded sermon (Acts 3:12-26)
that the return of "the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus" will
be to bring "seasons of refreshing" in fulfillment of the sworn covenant to
Abraham: "In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be
blessed." Of this reign of blessing, asserted the Apostle, all God's holy Prophets
had spoken "since the world began." The
extension of a divine offer of peace, to the well disposed individuals in a world in
rebellion against God, two thousand years before the inauguration of His Kingdom in power
and glory, has been a favor of the greatest importance to its beneficiaries. All are
members of a fallen race, "born in sin and shapen in iniquity," unable from
inherent weakness to serve God perfectly in the environment and atmosphere of "the
present evil world," however good their desires and intentions. But through this divine offer, "Ye that once were
far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. For He is our peace," writes Paul to
the Ephesians. (2:13, 17.) "He came and preached peace to. you [Gentiles] that were
far off, and peace to them .[the Jews] that were nigh: for through Him we both have our
access in one spirit unto the Father." "Being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by
faith info this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of
God." (Rom. 5:1, 2.) Thus, through the "peace to men of good will,"
proclaimed by the angels that first Christmas 'morning, has been made possible the great
"High Calling of God in Christ Jesus." No wonder this offer of amnesty was
prefaced by the chorus: "Glory in the highest
unto God," the Author of so beneficent a Plan. So the ones
who can still hear the Christmas Proclamation of the angels, know that despite all discord and opposition, all
the folly of men and the, malignancy of demons, "A
King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth." (Jer.
23:5.) And they know that this King will be the resurrected Christ' Jesus, who was once
born as the Babe of Bethlehem. "Even so, come quickly. Lord Jesus.", - H. E. Hollister. The Eternal Will
- Ernest Warburton Shurtleff. Blessings Derived from Continuance in Prayer"Bring ye all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the
Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that
there shall not be room enough to receive it." - Mal. 3:10. OUR SUBJECT will be considered under the seven following headings: 1. -
Continuance in prayer. 2. - What is
necessary to enable us to attain to this continuance in prayer? 3. - Results
of continuance in prayer as a habit. 4. -
Faithful expectation in prayer. 5. - The
results of expectation in prayer. 6. -
Intensity in prayer. 7. - The
results--rest, joy, and peace as found in Him, Christ our Redeemer. "Continue
in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving," says St. Paul. - Col. 4:2. "Evening
and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and He shall hear my
.voice," says the Psalmist. - Psa. 55:17. What is continuance in prayer? continuance in prayer as a habit? continuance in prayer at any one time? 'Speaking to God at all times; and in
all places when there are immediate occasions for prayer, and also when there are not is
continuance yin prayer. It is not merely saying a prayer, or even praying in the morning
when we get up and in the evening when we retire, but it is a continual attitude of
prayer. Prayer may be made in one short sentence, or in a word, or even without uttering a
word at-all. It "is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed." This continuance in prayer is
independent of place as well as of time. Otherwise we would be hindered in continuance in prayer. We can learn a lesson from a story of an
old minister's servant: A number of
ministers were assembled for a discussion of different questions, and among others it
was asked how the command to "pray without ceasing could be complied with. Various
suppositions were expressed, and at length one of the number was appointed to write an
essay on it to be read at the next monthly
meeting. This, discussion was heard by a servant girl, who exclaimed: "What!
a whole month wanted to tell the meaning of that text! It is one of the easiest in the
Bible." "Well,
well, Mary," said the old minister, "What can you say about it? Let us know how
you understand it. Can you pray all the
time?". "Oh,
yes sir. "What,
when you have so many things to do?" "Why, sir, the more I have to do, the more
I pray." "Indeed! Do let us know how it is, for most people think otherwise. "Well,
sir," said the girl, "when I first open my
eyes in the morning I pray: 'Lord open the eyes: of my understanding,' and while I am dressing I pray
that I may be clothed with the robe of righteousness; when I wash, I ask for the washing
of regeneration-,and as I begin my work, I pray that I may have strength equal to my
day. When I begin to kindle the fire, I pray that God's. work may revive in my soul; as I
sweep out the house, I pray that my heart may be
cleansed from all impurities; while partaking of breakfast I desire to be fed with the
manna, and the sincere milk of the Word; as I am, busy with the little children, I look up
to God as my Father; and so on all day. Everything I do, furnishes me with a
thought for prayer." "Enough!
Enough!" said the old divine; "These' things are revealed to babes, and hid from
the wise and prudent. Go on, Mary," said he, "Pray without ceasing." In harmony
with this statement, let us remember, dear brethren, that God has said, "The meek
will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His way." It is the
spirit of man that prays. The spirit may be quietly before the throne, while the body is
amid the throng or the noise of travel. God will accept real prayer no matter from what
locality it is sent up, no matter at what time. The spirit can be in an attitude of prayer
when the body cannot. He who is able to continue in prayer knows this, for he prays at all
times and in all places. What a comfort to know
that all things may be brought to God -in prayer. We need never be at a loss for matte-
for prayer. There is never a day passes that does not afford special matter for prayer.
Dangers are apprehended, vexations are to be borne, spiritual comfort and blessing to be
obtained in which we feel in sore need. And though there may be no pressing need, there is
abundance about which to continue in prayer. We long to be holy, so we lift our hearts and
say, "O' Lord, may Thy Spirit sanctify me, and make me more like Christ." We
want to have more love for Christ, and we say, "O Lord, make me love Thee as Thou
Thyself wouldst have me love. Perhaps we are calling on the sick, we may ask the Lord to make our call a
blessing. We are all interested in His work, and
we may ask Him to prosper His cause. Dear
brethren, may we know more and more of this continuance in, prayer. May the Lord enable us all
to say with the Psalmist, "Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray and cry
aloud; and He shall hear my voice." 2. - What is
necessary to enable us to attain -this continuance in prayer?, The realization of our
privilege is one very important matter-to know
that we may take a higher stand than- that of a mere worshiper, and that we may hold communion with God. The unconverted may
worship, but, higher than that they cannot go. Worship is a duty, communion a privilege. We who are enjoying the privilege of communion
with God are in a far higher position than that of a worshiper - "seated together
with Christ in heavenly places"; and the realization of this will be a great help to
our" continuance in prayer. The deepest
reverence and awe will fill the mind of one who knows the Holy One aright. Before Him even
the angels veil their faces. Those who continue in prayer will" never presume to be
irreverent in their privilege of communing with God. When we know that we are sons of God;
we will act toward our Father as children toward a parent. A child from the simple
realization of his connection with his parent comes to him at all times, and asks him
about everything. His reverence for his father is not lessened by the fact that he may
'thus come. The father does not require set forms and ceremonies to be performed before
the child can open his lips. Were this the case, the child would very likely stay away
when there were only little things to speak about, or 'ask for, and would go to him only
with the great things. Serious results might come from this, for evils often come from
small beginnings. The little things we might have spoken to Him about, may be the very
beginnings from which evil might develop. When the first pains of a child are brought to
the attention of a tender parent, he takes measures that may avert a serious illness and
much after suffering. And when we do not take these little things to our Father in prayer,
we take them in our own hands and often follow a wrong course, resulting in trouble or
loss. A few words of earnest prayer and looking to God would have assured us of His guidance. It was not because of unbelief 'that we failed to pray, but because
wee failed to realize the privilege of prayer. We may see clearly that God as our Father
is educating us when He permits trials, and that He will in a general way, make all
needful provisions for us, but we fail in this particular point of realizing our privilege
of taking everything to God in prayer.
Let us
endeavor more and more to realize the privilege connected with sonship with God that we
have the privilege of talking with God, of taking everything to Him, at all times and in
every place. That which
above all things will enable us to con-. tinue in prayer is the operation of the Holy
Spirit upon our minds and hearts. It operates in many different ways. It works upon our
reasoning, our intellectual powers, our imaginations, and also upon our habits., Has the
habit of our mind been wrought upon by the Holy Spirit? If the mind has been fixed upon
God, that in itself will be a great stimulant to continuous prayer. The mind thus
sanctified. will naturally have holy thoughts and will continually be in an attitude of
prayer. Prayer then will not be an effort, but an overflowing of the mind and heart. We
have the promise that "He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on
Him." 3. - This
brings us to our third subject Results of continuance in prayer as a habit. One of the
results is that it will help to keep up the spiritual tone of the mind. Do we not day by
day find ourselves prone to slip somewhat perhaps from our spiritual attainment? We seem
like some stringed instrument, the tendency of which is to decline from concert pitch.
Unless the body be continually refreshed by breathing in pure air, it will droop. So our
spiritual life is as dependent upon refreshment as is our body, and one way this
refreshment comes is through prayer. We cannot become strangers to the Throne of Grace. Nothing pleases Satan more than to
intercept our prayers. He tries to disturb our regular times of prayer if he can, and if
failing in that he will try to make us strangers to continuous prayer. How often in
daily life we find that we insensibly become almost strangers to those we once knew well,
but frequent intercourse has been gradually broken off, and as time passed, we missed the
accustomed intercourse less and less. So Satan tries to make the child of God a stranger
to the Throne of Grace, knowing that the heart will gradually become less interested
in talking with God The confidence of his heart will decrease, and giving less thought to
God, the mind will turn more to self. We may be sure, brethren, that the feeling of
strangeness is one that, grows rapidly. Another good
result of continuance in prayer is that we can -bring multitudes of things to God as they
arise, which otherwise we might forget. Little things are soon forgotten, and yet they are
often, of great importance. They are- gone from our minds without even having been
committed to God; but, though gone from our memories, they have not gone from the field of
action. They have linked themselves with other things for' the production of some result.' Still
another -result of continuance, in prayer is that we shall have a blessing in special
acts. When we are about to do a thing, if we
ask a blessing upon it, and if that thing be not evil, we shall receive a blessing. We
should seek for special as well as general blessings. Let us strive to have the spirit
of continuous prayer and say, "Lord, help me in this"; "Lord, -avert that
and the special blessing will come. If we are
living in supplication, we shall also live in giving of thanks. No matter how great or,
how varied our need, we shall always have a resource. We shall shave a "very present
help," and amid all the changes and varied experiences of life we will' have that
peace which the world cannot give, and which the, world cannot take away. "As for
me, I will 'call upon, God; and the 'Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon
will I. pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice." 4. -
Faithful expectation in prayer. What is it to expect
in prayer? It is to believe that an answer will come-to be looking for an answer, and
to be patient in expecting it. A great many prayers are, offered without any positive
expectation that they, will be answered. How differently do we act toward God from the way
we act toward man. When we go to our fellow-man for anything, we expect to receive it, or
hope to. But when we pray to God, and that oft times for definite things, we do not always
think about the coming of an answer. We have many precious promises in the Scriptures that
prayer will be answered: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that
ye shall receive them, and ye shall have them." "Ask, and it shall be given
you." "Whatsoever ye ask in My name, that
will I do." "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering." "If ye abide in Me,
and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto
you." - Mark 11:24; Matt. 7:7;, John 14:13; 1:5, 6; 15:7. We see from
the above Scriptures that there are conditions attached-faith, abiding in Him, and His
words abiding in us. We are to pray in the name of Christ-in the mind and will and spirit
of Christ. The answer to our prayers is not dependent upon the greatness or smallness of
our requests, but upon the motive or impulse -which prompts them. If that impulse proceeds
from our own will, the prayer is not in the name of Christ. But when it is from an
inward, divine operation, it is truly in the name of Christ, and" will have His
answer. If we are "dead with Him, we will be careful to bring the required sacrifice
of our Christian covenant-a crucified will. Sanctified
reasoning upon the character and attributes of God also strengthen our expectation in
prayer. God is true; His "faithfulness reaches even to the clouds." He is our
Father and we His children. Never was love so true, so steady, so large as His; and we
should expect from Him just as a child expects from a parent. The consciousness of
another's love makes us bold to ask from those on earth; how much more should it from our
Father in Heaven. He is omnipotent. All resources are at His command. He is generous; He
delights to give. He gave His only begotten Son, to die for us while we were yet sinners,
and "how shall He not with Him freely give us all things." If we will but bring
to Him "all the tithes" -our all-He will surely "open the windows of heaven
and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." When
bread was rained from heaven upon the multitude in the wilderness, it fell in profusion,
so that there was abundance for all. We read much of the generosity of God "the
exceeding riches of His grace, "the exceeding greatness of His power," and of
the "grace of the Lord exceeding abundant," "exceeding great and precious
promises." It will
greatly help us in our expectation in prayer if we thus call to mind. the attributes, of
God and meditate on His character in connection with our need; thus giving an impetus and
a reality to our prayers that may otherwise be wanting. 5. - The
results of expectation in prayer. Expecting an answer will result in more precision of
meaning in our prayers. There are many things which our spiritual knowledge tells us
that a child of the Lord should desire. But do we really desire them? Are we really
anxious to have them? And when we pray for them are we willing for God to grant our
request in His own time and way? If we learn to expect in prayer, we will surely be
precise in what we ask for. We do not "go to our fellow-men with meaningless
petitions; let us not deal with God 'with less earnestness and reality. Let us offer
no prayer in which we are not willing and desirous that God should take us at, our word. Another good
result of expectation is a greater readiness to pray. We are very loath to ask a favor
where we think we are likely to be denied. We have not the heart to go. One cause of
backwardness in prayer is our doubt and uncertainty about getting an answer. These take
away our cheerful readiness in prayer, and make it hard labor instead of a blessed
privilege. But if we expect from God, we are very ready to come and ask for what we need. A further
result will be less expectation from and leaning upon man, seeing we have the Almighty
and, Everlasting God Himself. There is always danger of trusting in human flesh instead of
in the living God; "Cursed is the man that trusteth in matt;" but "Blessed
is the man that maketh the Lord his trust." This
expectation will enable us to unburden our heart by casting our care upon God, which
result' its comfort and peace. If we find our hearts still sad after we have come to the
Lord in prayer, we may be sure we have not fully committed our burden to Him. Perhaps
there is some self-will and not that complete surrender and submission to the will of God
that is necessary if we would have His peace. If we have gone to the Throne with tears and
with heavy tread,' with care on our hearts, let its come forth with elastic step,-cheerful
in the expectation that our prayer will be answered. This
expectation will not hinder us from cooperating with God in bringing about the answer,
but should give us more energy in the use of any means He may indicate to us. It will
increase outzeal and energy. It is not
honoring to God to pray, and yet not look for an answer. God is robbed of His glory when
He gives and we do -not recognize what we have received as a gift from Him. But we must
be patient in expectation. This is important. God's ways are not as man's, and many times
our prayers are not answered in just the way and time we had thought. God is honored, when
His children wait upon Him. Even when we are sure we have asked according to His will, we
must leave the time unreservedly to Him. It may be hard when we have to wait week after
week and month after month, but we should never try to hurry His arrangements. He is able
to speak and it is done, and when He seems to tarry, we may be sure that His Infinite
Wisdom makes no mistakes, and our becoming attitude is one of "patient
waiting." 6. -
Intensity in prayer. We are sometimes brought into circumstances in which a fixed and
speedy time must settle a question. God often teaches us the meaning of intensity in
prayer by thus bringing us decidedly to a point. Then there are times when sudden calamity
comes upon us. Bereft of our resources and of our friends, we find ourselves brought
into the immediate presence of God. We realize we must have more than human support and
are dependent upon God. We are driven to intensity in prayer. Nothing will so calm our
minds and fit us for deliberation as a few moments of intense prayer. We may be sure
that God will be with us and we will be able to meet the sudden pressure, with Him, in a
way that would otherwise be impossible. Matters of
special importance or magnitude give another reason for intense prayer, We do not always
realize how great are the blessings for which we art praying, and on this account our
prayers are dull; but when we have been completely shut up to our own resources, and there
is heavy pressure upon us, we often learn the meaning of intensity in prayer. Without our
realizing it we may permit the possession of even one slender resource to affect our
intensity in prayer. We wish to cast ourselves on God alone, but weak human nature looks
for some means which seems at hand, some "created stream." Then there
are times when we experience this intensity in prayer as a result of the immediate
operation of the Spirit. We may have failed in some point in which we had earnestly
endeavored to overcome and are somewhat discouraged. Then it is as if the Spirit of the
Lord were working upon us, showing us our weakness, proving us as to what we are in
ourselves. Being pained and filled with self-reproach, we become quickened to intensity
in prayer. We look to God, we seek Him as a refuge, we remember our standing in Christ,
and in our intensity exclaim with the Psalmist: "Unto Thee do I cry, O Lord, my Rock,
be not silent unto me." 7. The
results-rest, joy, and peace as found in Christ, our Redeemer. We read of a "peace
that passeth understanding," and of that "perfect peace" experienced by
those whose minds are stayed on God, and we may realize that we are not possessing this
fully. This leads us to intensity in prayer. The Apostle tells us we should "labor to
enter into that. rest." It must be sought earnestly, not only through continuous
prayer,. but by all the means provided by the Lord. "Learn
of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your.
souls." Rest is not a thing that can be given, but comes as a result of bringing the mind and heart into an attitude of
meekness and lowliness before the Lord-an attitude attained only through experience, "Learn of Me and ye shall find rest." In none of
our desires and prayers for spiritual good things will the Lord deny us an answer; but
how, and when, and. through what instrumentality it is to come, we must leave wholly in
His hands. - Margeson. Prayer
A Smile"A
smile costs nothing, but gives much. It enriches those who receive, without making poorer
those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None
is so rich or mighty that he can get along without it; and none so poor but that he can be
made rich by it. A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business, and
is the countersign of friendship. It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the
discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and it is nature's best' antidote for trouble. Yet it
cannot be bought, borrowed, begged, or stolen, for, it is something that is of no value to
any one until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them
one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to. give." Human Works vs. Works of the New Creature"Beloved, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling; OUR TEXT is not an exhortation to the world The Apostle is
not urging natural men to work out their own salvation. The exhortation is to the Church
of Christ alone, the beloved, as St. Paul calls them. According to many theologians this
advice would seem strange, because of the commonly accepted belief that a person is saved
as soon as he becomes one of the Lord's people. To this we agree in part "we are
saved by hope." But the actual salvation we have not yet attained. It will not be
attained until we shall have experienced the "change" of the First Resurrection.
Up to that time there is always a possibility of our leaving the faith, being turned away
from the faith -- away from seeking to follow on faithfully to the attainment of the
Lord's ultimate will concerning us. This salvation to the High Calling is to be worked out by the development of character. God has
promised that certain characters shall attain to the highest place in His gift, the
chief place of exaltation and favor, to be partakers of His own divine nature. The
Scriptures indicate that there are others who will attain to an inferior place -- vessels
unto lesser honor. (2 Timothy 2:20, 21.) So we see
that we should be on the qui vive, on the alert, to win the very best offered, the
attainment of which will be pleasing to God as well as being the best thing for ourselves.
Those who have entered into a covenant with the Lord must attain spirit nature, either on
the divine plane or a lower one; else they will lose all and die the Second Death. We are
called in one hope of our Calling -- that of
attaining the divine nature. There has been no other call issued during the Gospel Age. The question
arises, Does this exhortation to work out our own salvation
conflict with St. Paul's other statement, that our salvation "'is not of works, lest
any man should boast"? We reply, No; our salvation from death is entirely by faith.
As men we have no opportunity of doing any
works that would justify us before God. Until we have been accepted into God's family no
works that we could do would be acceptable.
God who is perfect, is not pleased to receive anything imperfect, either works or anything
else. But when we have received the forgiveness of our sins not by works, but by faith and
have become sons of God, through consecration and spirit-begetting, then comes the time
when we can do acceptable works; for we are then members of the Lord's family, and the
Holy Spirit within us through this begetting now has an opportunity to show itself, to do
some works. In other words, as imperfect human beings, we cannot work out our salvation;
but as new creatures we can do this. - Philippians 4:13. OUR PART OF THE WORKIf after its
begetting the new creature never became active, it would never develop strength and character, just as a child would not develop if
it never moved its limbs. We receive the
Holy Spirit at the time of the Lord's acceptance of us, at our consecration. But this
new creature germ cannot long remain quiet. It must grow through nourishment, through
feeding. At first we "desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we may grow thereby." We become strong by
the exercise of ourselves as new creatures. But it is God who started the new life in, us. All our studying would not have made new
creatures of us; no amount of works would have done it. These things would never have
brought us into the Lord's family; but after we have come,
into His family 'through the Lord Jesus, these good works will begin to show. The new
creature takes over the old body as its
possession, to be its servant. Legally, the old body is dead, having been slain as a
sacrifice. But actually, we still have it in
lieu of our new body, that it may serve us until the
new creature is sufficiently developed to be, given its resurrection body, and until our work here is done. It is the
possession of this old, imperfect body that makes it necessary for us 'to wear the robe of
Christ's righteousness while we remain in the flesh. The new
creature masters its old body, gets more and more control of the old disposition of the
flesh. This may be more manifest to our neighbors and friends, and to our brethren, than
to ourselves. The Father works in us as new creatures, through Christ. And as we as new
creatures exercise ourselves in the control of the flesh,
we become strong. Thus, as the Apostle says, we more and more become copies of God's dear Son. "It is God that worketh in
us both to will and to do His good
pleasure," and as we thus will and do, we accomplish our salvation. The Apostle is
speaking here, not about the natural man, but, of the "beloved" class, and is
explaining that God wishes us to know that now, as we are His sons, He is working in us
to accomplish His will. GOD'S PART A GREAT WORKThere is a
work that God did for us before we ever could have come into Christ -- a great and
important work. That work was the purchasing of us through the sacrificial death of the
Lord Jesus, and the arrangement by which the knowledge of this reaches us. Through the circumstances, incidents, affairs
of Your lives He showed us the way by which we
might become His children through full
consecration. All this is the work of God, and in the
Scriptures is called drawing and calling. "No man can come unto Me except the Father
which sent Me draw him," said the Master. It is the Father who draws, but by way of
the Son. Then we are called with a
"Heavenly Calling." After we have accepted the, Gall upon the Lord's terms,
there is a work to be done in us -- a great work. And God is doing this work. Elsewhere the
Apostle says of this class, "Ye are God's- workmanship." Our Lord Jesus says of
these, "I am the Vine,-ye are the branches." The Father is the great Husbandman.
It is for God to prune the branches of the Vine, to give them all the experiences
requisite to their fruit-bearing. We all need pruning to develop the best of which we are
capable as new creatures, and to prove what we shall be qualified for. So God's work
in us progresses. He works through the world, through the brethren, through all the
varied experiences of life, and through His precious promises. In proportion as we love
God, we get the good out of our experiences. "We know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, -to the called according to His purpose." If we know this, we shall receive in the spirit of
submission and trust all that comes to us. The Lord continues to feed us upon His Word.
Our progress is a matter of gradual development-a growing in grace, a growing in
knowledge, a growing into God's character-likeness. Thus He works in His children to will
and to do His good pleasure. He shows us, more and more what His good pleasure is. Whoever
becomes a child of God realizes later on more clearly than when he made his consecration
what is the will of God, the mind of God. He
comes to see things from, an altogether different angle from his viewpoint when he first
entered upon the narrow way. As the Lord
works in us through His various providences, etc., we are to accept these nourishments for
the new creature, appropriating them, to ourselves, that we may grow thereby-grow in
strength of character, and thus be prepared for the Kingdom, for the glory, honor,
immortality awaiting us if faithful. Of course, these great blessings and honors will not
be given us unless we become such characters as the Lord will approve. The Apostle exhorts
us to remember that what is to be reckoned on is, How much as a new creature have you done
in battling against the weaknesses of the flesh, in overcoming unfavorable surroundings?
How fully have you really developed the likeness of Christ in your character? - R5758, Sept. 1, 1915. The Letter to the Colossians"Continue in prayer, . . . Withal praying
... Walk in wisdom, . . . FAR BEYOND
their realization all of God's creatures are dependent on Him from whom comes all light,
power, and life. In the passage last considered the Apostle gave instruction to Christian
husbands, wives, children, masters, and slaves. These verses now before us open with an
exhortation to constancy in prayer and watching therein with gratitude for past
blessings as new light, life, and power are required. No Christian can walk so close to
the heavenly Father that he will not have need of prayer, and every form of prayer,
private, family, and class. Every sail will be set by those eager to make- port. It we
would be "filled with all the fullness of God," we should appropriate every
opportunity of fellowship with Him. Doubtless David's "seven times daily," a
mere pittance for the earnest Christian, was merely a figurative expression of the
constancy with which he prayed. - Psa. 119:164. In asking
prayers for himself the Apostle implies that if he has this need, there is no Christian
who does not need and should not ask for the prayers of others. There may be implied also
the duty of husband and wife and child praying together, and even the master and the
slave joining their voices at the Throne. The word rendered "withal" has in it
the thought of "at the same time with," and is so rendered by the Riverside
New Testament. The more
sincerity, humility, unselfishness, and gratitude there is in the prayer-life, the more of
godliness will there be in 'the relation of husband and wife, of child and parent, of
master and slave. But to be effective, constancy in prayer is needed. "Attend
constantly to prayer" is the Diaglott's exhortation. This is. the thought also of 1
Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing." For one to cease praying is to
raise the white flag of surrender with an invincible army of reinforcement just in sight.
The plan of the Apostles to "give themselves to prayer," the early disciples
"continuing daily with one accord in the Temple" for prayer, and the
exhortations to "continue instant in prayers" (Acts 6:4; 2:46; Rom. 12:12), give
no occasion for the foolish thought that the Christian life consists only of prayer or
that there must be the audible utterance every moment. God's message to us in the Bible is
not words, but the thoughts of which the words are the vehicle. So with our prayers to,
God; the words are not The prayers, but merely a convenience in expressing the thoughts.
One, then; who constantly practices the presence of God in every thought and every
activity is a praying Christian, and is constant in prayer, however many and
insurmountable the hindrances that crowd out almost all opportunities of formulated
petitions. Earnestness and fervor are necessary in that life of prayer that one may not
be discouraged, for almost all if not all Christians have three "constant"
enemies bitterly opposed to constancy in prayer -- the world, the archadversary, and his
own flesh and the flesh of others. COMMUNIONNot only
must prayer be persisted in, but all three of its elements must be perpetuated
--communion, aspiration, and submission. Only with an unbroken consciousness of God's
presence can there be unbroken communion. For the true saint the reeking odors of Simon's
tannery are as conducive to saintly devotion as the sweet fragrance of priestly incense,
the noise of madly whirring factory wheels as the silence of the cloistered abbey, the
filth and squalor of the crowded city streets as the purity of heaven itself. In truth
these hindrances but drive one to flee for self preservation to the one place. where peace
and perfection may be found. Distressing scenes, that would if he permitted them crowd
all else from his thought, surround every Christian; but lifting his eyes above them, he
fixes his gaze on, the mountains of God's wisdom, justice, love, and power "that
tower in the vista of every avenue of his life. ASPIRATIONIt is
impossible that the spirit of aspiration should be lacking in the prayer of one who
through his days is conscious of the presence of God in all his affairs To know God is to
have a consuming desire to be like Him. This, too, is intensified, as closeness to Him
reveals in vivid contrast our unworthiness of such fellowship. In the presence of His
power our weakness. would be appalling, and how discouraging the contrast of our folly
with His wisdom., our sinfulness with His holiness, if that walking and talk ing with Him
were not the means of appropriating to ourselves His graces as an overcoming power in our
lives. It is said that "In a certain valley in Rumania there is a most beautiful
garden containing nothing but roses. When the season is at its height, the perfume- is
such that if you visit the garden, and come back to the city, people know at once where
you have been. You carry the fragrance with you. Is it not, then, as true, if we, frequent
the presence of God, delighting in the glory and excellencies of Christ, we may come
back to the city and shed the fragrance of His presence around." - Bible, Students
Monthly. SUBMISSIONThe third
quality is essential also. If there is to be uninterrupted communion, and if aspiration is
to be cleansed of all selfishness, there must be uninterrupted submission. As we pray
not, "Grant this thing because I deserve it" but "because of Jesus'
merit," so we pray not, "Do this because I wish it," but "Grant that
Thy will may be done, and mine never yea, that I may cease to have a will or even a
preference in Thy presence." This spirit of submission, learned at His footstool,
transmutes the most menial of tasks into service to Him as part of our "acceptable
sacrifice." One has
compared the prayer-life of a Christian to the deep bass note' of the organ above which
rises and falls ever-changing melodies and harmonies. All are bound into one harmonious
whole by it, and so prayer and its spirit running through the day make of that day,
however varied it may be, however crowded with cares it may be a day of communion,
aspiration, and submission. WATCHINGThe very
constancy of prayer makes more necessary the matter of "watching therein."
Drowsiness is, apt to overcome one continuously engaged in any matter, and what saint is
there who has not at times found his altar set up on the borders of Slumberland. In an
affair more important to the interests of the flesh, when one finds his' eyelids growing
heavy, he takes a stimulant. Paul is suggesting this method in spiritual matters; but he
would have us use the most effective -of all stimulants, "thanksgiving." No
other' thing can be so conducive to fervor in prayer as genuine appreciation for the
favors attained as a result of previous hours on our knees. Watching there .fore closely
to see the loving Father's will for us in every affair, His powerful handy shaping every
event, His wisdom preventing each test greater than we are able to bear, His grace
supplying strength sufficient for every time of need, in every respect His strength
manifesting its perfection in our weakness, prayer will seldom lag or become drowsy. These
prayers will be "in the spirit." - Eph. 6:8. For most
Christians it is probably a help to have definite times of prayer, and if the mind wanders
as the result of -too long sessions of prayer, the simple remedy is more frequent and
shorter seasons, as well as a more intense interest in the things about which one prays.
And let no one think that having the spirit of prayer is a substitute for and relieves one
of the need of frequent opportunities of formulated praise and petition. Though we may not
be able to spend nights on the mountain in prayer, or often "rise up a great while
before day" for our devotions, ours is not the Christ-life unless prayer is a
prominent feature of it. With a sense of our need there will be "strong crying and
tears" that must be expressed; with a sense of our occasions for gratitude, there
must be .a pouring forth of a torrent of praise, incense very grateful to our heavenly
Father. As memory is woven into hope, there will be for him who watches in prayer,
aspirations daily striving for higher ground. "Nearer my God to Thee." Albert
Barnes wrote in commenting on, Matthew 6:5 - "Every, Jewish house had a place for
secret devotion. The roofs of their houses were flat places for walking, conversation,
and meditation, in 'the cool of the evening. Over the porch, or entrance of the house,
was, however, a small room of the size of the porch, raised a story above the rest of the
house, expressly appropriated for the place of retirement. Here, in secrecy and
solitude, the pious Jew might offer his prayers, unseen by any but the Searcher of
hearts.... This is the place commonly mentioned in the New Testament as, the Upper Room,
or place for secret prayer. The meaning of the Savior is that 'there should be some place
where we may be in secret -- where we may be alone with God. Since the Master who had
not where, to lay His head could always find a place for His secret devotions, and since
He suggested that arrangement to those who followed with Him, there would seem to be
little excuse for any today failing to find time and place for solitary communion with
God. If the will is present, the way will be
found. INTERCESSORY PRAYERIn
his dismal, barren Roman cell, wrists chafed with heavy' iron fetters, -the prisoner
sends out a call for help; but what humility, what lowliness of tone there is in his
"withal praying for us"; what self forgetfulness in his "praying for' us
that God may open unto us a door for the Word." This thing for which he is in bonds,
the "open Secret," Moffatt renders it, and "the sacred Secret,"
Rotherham, is so important to him that he can forget his "bonds" in his
eagerness that it shall be proclaimed. ' He does not even pray 'that there shall be any
penalty imposed on this base earthly government for, the indignity done his heavenly
Government by pacing its ambassador in bonds. (Eph. 6:19.) He does not ask even the boon
of a single ray of sunshine for himself, but only freedom for the Word of God.
Philippians 1:13, written apparently about this same time, tells of the answer received
to those or similar prayers. Not only among the soldiers of the "Pretorium Camp
(Diaglott footnote), but "in all other places" "the things which had
happened unto" him "had fallen out . . . unto the progress of the
Gospel." The wisdom of his God had chosen 'the apparently barren soil of a soldier
camp to plant seeds that were to bear a fruitage that would be borne to "every
place," perhaps by those' very soldiers that placed the fetters on his wrists or
stood guard over him day and night. The prison doors of Rome were no more effective in
confining a messenger of the "sacred Secret" than were those of Jerusalem or
those of Philippi. - Acts, 5:19; 12:10; 16:26. Paul wished
to proclaim the message of the Kingdom privileges for the Gentiles, not because it would
bring comfort to his body or add friends to his companionship, but because that was the
message given the Church to preach. Like Peter (1 Pet. 2:12), though every Jew and every
Gentile should "speak against him as an evil doer," he would pray and enlist
the brethren to pray for him that a door of opportunity might be opened for yet wider
distribution of this message that was more precious to him than the approval of his
neighbors or even-than life itself. He preached
that message knowing that the consequence would be "bonds awaiting him at
Rome." And from Rome he pleaded for further privileges of "suffering with
Christ." But with all his learning and experience, he still was not self-confident:
"Pray for me that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak." THE PROPER CHRISTIAN CONDUCTPaul writes
to those who "have fled for refuge" to Christ, and who there are safe from the
storms that threaten those still "without." These, hearing some little of the
Christian standards, decide as to the wisdom of joining or not joining us
"within." That decision is based as much, if not more, on what they see of our
lives than on what they hear of our message. It is extremely important, therefore, that
the messenger shall not be primarily concerned with self and personal, comfort and
welfare; but it His just as or more important that he shall think of self in so far as he
represents the message he proclaims.; One cannot honestly preach "Peace on earth,
good will toward men," and be a trouble maker; tell of 'blessings for all the
families of the earth, and not seek to "do good unto all men as there is
opportunity"; proclaim a God of love and not strive to manifest His graces in every
word and act. "If any will not hear the Word, they may without the Word be won."
(1 Pet. 3:1.) As' today a larger measure of morality has through the influence of
Christian teachings been attained by the world; and through the close affiliation
between "sheep and wolf" much of the world's spirit has been imparted to the
organizations that bear His name, the Christian will have to be as wise as an unusually
wise serpent or the world will have only the ministry of words to get from him. "And
the wisdom which is to mold our lives in view of these' outsiders will 'discern both time
and judgment,' will try to take the measure of men and act accordingly. Common sense and
practical sagacity, are important accompaniments of Christian zeal. What a singularly
complex character, in this respect, was Paul's enthusiastic and yet capable of such
diplomatic adaptation; and withal never dropping to cunning, nor sacrificing truth!
Enthusiasts who despise worldly wisdom, and therefore often dash them selves against
stone walls, are not: rare; cool calculators who abhor all generous glow of feeling and
have ever a pail full of cold water for any project which shows it, are only too
common-but fire and ice together, like a volcano with glaciers streaming down its cone are
rare. Fervor married to tact, common sense which keeps close to earth and enthusiasm which
flames heaven high, are a rare combination." TIME AN IMPORTANT ELEMENTA special
way of showing wisdom toward those "without," is by "making the most of our
opportunities," as Goodspeed, apparently correctly, renders the phrase that our
King James and Revised Versions give us as "redeeming the time." In the margin
we find, "buying up the opportunity." Make your own the passing moments to use
them not for self but in this great thing that demanded all the talents of the talented
Paul. It is a wide-awake Christian that does not permit the world to "buy up"
what we have covenanted to give the Lord of influence and time. In the sense of this
Goodspeed Translation, to make, the most of his opportunities, one must know something of
the characters he might be used in influencing, so that if they take, offense, it will not
be because of his unwisdom. Our message should also be "in season" for them.
Otherwise the grace with which he enjoins seasoning our speech will go unheeded. . We may
not be fully informed today as to the Apostle's meaning in using the figure of salt in
this connection. Perhaps Goodspeed is correct in his interpretation which he gives as a
translation: "Always put your message attractively, and yet pointedly." The
latter phrase is a valuable suggestion, but the other is weak. Grace is much more than attractiveness. Spencer uses
the word "courteous"; the Diaglott, "affability." Thayer defines it as
"sweetness, charm, loveliness," in this connection. Note the linking of wisdom
and grace also in Colossians 3:16, but there the word probably carries both its meanings,
including also the divine favor, an inward condition marked by its outward expression in
loveliness which in spite of its medium shows some traces of divine likeness. Let our
"citizenship" be betrayed by the 'spiritual "accent" of our
conversation. Salt of an
aromatic variety was used in the temple sacrifices to cover unpleasant odors. 'Perhaps the
intent of the suggestion is that in addition to letting, no corrupt communication
proceed out of our mouth," ours shall be the "sacrifice of praise to God
continually." That salt will preserve our conversation from the corruption of
frivolous vaporizings, unchristian gossip, ill-natured complainings, etc. Salt was
used among the Greeks as a symbol of wit, because of its giving savor to the conversation.
Judging by the Apostle's example, we can only suppose that if he has this use in mind,
he is doing no more than warning against a too ponderous and pedantic style in our
presenting of the message. The conversation should demonstrate the Christian graces. Let
them, together with the great joy we have in our message, be the advance agents of that
message, seems to be his recommendation. Paul
presupposes that the brethren at Colosse know what
they should answer, and does not wish" it to lose its effectiveness, as
unfortunately most of us know it can do, by our not remembering "how we ought to answer every man." The
grace of self-forgetfulness, having no desire .to glorify ourselves as great Bible
students; the grace of consideration, knowing that the one to whom we are speaking has
some beliefs of his own which are very precious to him; the grace" of gentleness,
that prefers to move slowly rather than wound deeply; the grace of long-suffering, that
leaves one undisturbed however aggravating the attitude of the hearer may be; the grace of
meekness, that wins respect instead of repelling; the grace of self-control, that makes
all these others persist however long the Lord keeps us waiting for evidence of fruitage
to our labors-all these are necessary that we may know "how" to give our
answers, and since none of them are natural to our fallen nature, the opening, exhortation
of this passage must be had recourse to: "Continue, steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with
thanksgiving." - P. E. Thomson. Seated Together in Heavenly PlacesThe Atlantic City Convention"The
beautiful week-end spent in Atlantic City will long be remembered by those who were
privileged to attend the Convention there October 7 and 8. The seashore with its broad
expanse of water, and the delightful weather, for which we thanked the Lord, added to the
rest and refreshment enjoyed by all. Political strife and the world at war were left on
the outside, while we, sheltered in the secret place of the Most High, and under His
shadow, rejoiced together in considering Him and His gracious purposes. It was a happy
family seated at the table of the Lord where we were served with food strengthening to the
inner man. All who had previously attended these gatherings could heartily agree with the
Chairman's remarks, as he welcomed us in the name of the Lord, that the conventions in
Atlantic City had been very precious throughout the years. Year after year, he said, the
same ones come, with a few new ones. Speaking of those not present who had met with us
in previous years, and had gone on before, the Chairman confessed a feeling of sadness and
a sense -of loss, yet we rejoiced with them that they had fought a good fight, finished
their course, kept the faith. For all such there is a 'crown of righteousness.' Mention
was -also, made of the faithfulness of the little Class in Atlantic City -- how they had
held together and continued their -meetings even though one after another of 'their
members had been taken in death, and because of this faithfulness in continuing to
assemble, we were privileged each year to convene with them and enjoy together the Lord's
rich blessing. "The
first discourse, 'Them that Honor Me, I will, Honor,' brought forcefully to our minds
that we cannot be anything of ourselves, 'for by strength [his own] shall no man prevail.'
By many Scriptural examples we were admonished to look to the Lord in every experience,
for nothing is too hard for the Lord-He is able to open doors that are closed-doors that
are barred-and the faith that believes the Lord implicitly honors Him. He is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, and He rewards the faith that believes
this and takes Him at His word. "Psalm
19:16 was the basis, of the second talk 'showing forth God's praise.' The thought was
impressed upon us that we were made. for God's glory (Isa. 43:7), and the way we may
glorify Him is to so live as to reflect His character. The heavens declare His glory by
showing forth His power. 'There is no speech, there are no words, but their melody extends
through all the earth, and to, the end of the world their words.' Jesus was the first one
to reflect God's glory, and He did it perfectly. We can reflect His character just to the
extent that we are transformed into His likeness, by letting Christ dwell in us-'Let this
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.' "Lessons
were drawn' from Gideon and his band for the next talk. As this band was tested to prove
their obedience and faith, so the followers of the Lord are tested and proved as to
their loyalty to Him. The final number was small in comparison to the number of the enemy
against whom' they were to fight, but their victory did not depend upon numbers. It
depended only upon their faith and obedience -- their victory was in the strength, of the
Lord. As their pitchers must be broken before the light could shine out, so our earthen
vessel will obstruct, and it is not until we are broken, self is dead, that there is no obstruction, and God's
glory can be reflected. "Sunday
morning's service began with the hymn for the day, the reading of the Morning Resolve, and
prayer; followed by a discourse on Isaiah 55:8, 9-'God's Thoughts and Our Thoughts,' in
which God's greatness was magnified, as the One who 'dwells in the high and lofty
place.' If we would serve Him, it must be by faithfulness in the little things, serving
Him With sincerity of heart, watchful that everything be done with that honesty of
purpose and sincerity of heart that our every deed will bear inspection -- walk as in
the day.' "'The
Just Shall Live by Faith" (Hab. 2:4); was the next subject discussed. The importance
of this teaching, that 'the just,' those to whom there is no condemnation because they are
in Christ Jesus, 'shall live by faith,' is borne home to us by being quoted three times in
the New Testament. This life can be lived only by one who has a faith like unto Christ's,
faith, the faith of Christ. (Gal. 2;20.) He could say that He had no word's of His own to
speak, no self-deeds to perform. No moment of any day is left out of this ideal to which
all earnest Christians aspire. With all left to His guidance and blessing, though the
attainment in this life must be far from the standard His perfect example supplies,, a
living faith can and must be a rejoicing faith-in everything giving thanks because one
sees God's hand in everything, shaping and overruling. Beyond that even, the rejoicing
goes, for the one who lives by faith trusts Him where he cannot trace Him. "The
last discourse was on the subject of Banking for the Future" - laying up treasure in
heaven-when it was solemnly impressed upon our mind's that 'every thought we entertain,
every act we commit, has its bearing upon our future. We lay up for the future in the way
we think and in the way we act.' All things are naked and open before Him with whom we
have to do, and we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account
of the deed's done in the body. The robe of Christ's righteousness is supplied to us for
the present, but then we must appear in our own
righteousness, just as we are in our own true character. 'Every man's work will be made
manifest.' The thought was emphasized that our progress and success in this work depends
upon the way we respond to the tests of the present time, and the degree of loyalty we
show in cooperating with our Father in our present experiences. "The
testimony meetings and the fellowship in general, were most refreshing, and told of happy
experiences in the Christian way. The sermons in song' by our Brother John 'T. Read was an
added feature to our program here, and one that was greatly appreciated and enjoyed. At
the farewell service the Chairman remarked it had been the 'smilingest' convention he
believed he had ever attended. Happy faces reflected the smile of the Lord, which had
been upon us-the light of His countenance, giving peace, and our hearts were raised in
gratitude to Him for the privilege of having been seated together in heavenly places in
Christ Jesus." Service Committee NotesClasses,
groups, and isolated brethren all over this country are responding to the call to send out
letters and tracts to the bereaved relatives of the war casualties. If you
desire to engage in this work, write to Pastoral Bible Institute Service Committee, P. O.
Box 3473, Merchandise Mart Station, Chicago 54, Ill. Tracts and
helpful suggestions will be sent to you. This will also assure you that your work is not
being duplicated by some one else. As so many have engaged in this work it is necessary
to keep a record of the area each one is covering: There still remain many parts of each
State not being covered with tracts for the bereaved ones. Truly the harvest is great, and
there is opportunity for service. The
following is an interesting letter just received: Service
Committee, Dear
Brethren: North Dakota
is at present divided into three sections. One is covered by my father, the second by my
brother, and the third by my wife and me. We will soon be needing more tracts, so please
send me three hundred of each, and I will share with my father and brother. Your letter
of September 29th is much appreciated. I am happy to say that since my last letter Sister
B--and I have both consecrated. We pray that
the Lord may shower all of you and the work with His richest blessings. With
Christian love, A. C. B. -- N. D. To this we
replied: Dear Brother B We are
rejoicing with you that you and your dear wife have seen "your reasonable
service" and have "presented your bodies, a living sacrifice to God," and
we welcome you- into the Church of the First Born whose
names are written in Heaven. We are glad
that you are redeeming your time from worldly things, and putting it into the work of
bringing comfort to those who mourn. God bless you as you two go on in this good way,
daily renewing your consecration, and daily seeking to carry it out. The tracts
are being mailed you, and we will shortly send you the names of others in your State who
may wish to help in this work. Your
brethren by His grace, The Pastoral Bible Institute Service
Committee. Encouraging MessagesDear
Brethren: Greetings in
our dear Master's vane! This week
our Class voted to send'$ to the Institute to be used in the service of the Lord as you
see good. . . Should you
find it possible to again print Volume, II of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ,"
we would want a copy. We have Volume I, and have read the second Volume. Perhaps you
will recall that I borrowed it from you. Since then I have. had an opportunity to borrow a
copy from a sister who has had it a long time. We find
"'The Herald" very helpful. The articles, are very spiritual and refreshing. I
have gathered together the back ' numbers for a year or mope, and am reading the articles
again. They appeal to ml strongly.... We rejoice
with you in the light of Truth and the marvelous privilege of running for the 'prize of
the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus, an it is our earnest desire to be among the
overcomers. We desire to have the spirit of the Truth as well as the knowledge. "Love
buildeth up but knowledge puffeth up." Some one said, "Truth itself, severed
from the love of the Truth, may be an idol," and Brother Russell quote it. I came
across it in a Reprint and copied it. More and more I realize what it means to have a
tolerant spirit. We can maintain our standards without condemning others whose opinions,
differ with ours. . . . With
Christian love from all in our class. "The peace of God which passeth all
understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" May this peace
ever be your portion. Your sister
by His grace Mrs. A. B. S. - Me. Dear
Brethren: Greetings of
love in our dear Savior's name. In return for much spiritual help received from time to
time through the medium of the "Herald" articles, I feel constrained to write
and state this fact, for your encouragement,. in order that I may have the privilege of
giving, as well as receiving, in the service of the Lord. In these strenuous and difficult
'times, we are indeed glad to have fellowship across the ocean with those in the New
Hemisphere who are rejoicing in the love of God in Christ. I was
especially moved to gratitude by the article in the August issue, entitled, "Our
Fellowship in Christ." I feel that a great service was done to the cause of Truth by
the writer, when he so pointedly emphasized the great cardinal truth that as far as the
promise concerning the "Seed of Promise" goes, the paramount truth there is that
God revealed that He had it in His heart to bless all the families of the earth. How we
can find rest here for our weary soul-out of such a glorious truth arises from our hearts
and minds the worship of such a God in spirit and in truth. It has seemed to-me on many
occasions in the past, that this great fundamental truth has to .some extent been
overshadowed by too great prominence being given to the agency by. which God intends to
carry this great work of love into effect. The first thing has not been put first. This
correction to my mind is very timely and health-giving, and exalts our God and Father, to
His rightful place in our hearts and minds. It will have the effect upon us, who rightly
embrace it, of inspiring humility and the spirit of true adoration before God, who is
love. As I advance
towards the allotted span of natural life, the truth is being borne in upon me, more and
more, that all elements of truth and doctrines, are but a means to an end, and that end is
to reproduce in us the responsive love that God's love should have begotten in us. This
godly love is the final fruitage which should crown our life's work and experience, and
fit us to be members of that "Seed of Promise." What but
Divine love could qualify any one to deal with the great moral and spiritual problems
which the setting up of the Mediatorial Kingdom will present. God is love, and to know God is to be born out of love, and to be the children of love. In the same
issue of the "Herald," the article entitled, 'Because He First Loved Us,"
exalts the love of God, and causes us to look to the One great Source of goodness, which
always has a hallowing and sanctifying effect upon our Christian lives. Thank the
Lord, then, for this realization of the unity of the Spirit, in spite of the distance
which separates. May this humble appreciation be used of the Lord to strengthen and,
encourage those who are called to minister to the spiritual welfare of God's covenanted
people. - 1 Cor. 15:58. Yours in His
service, F. W. F. -- Eng. "We Thank Thee"
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