Biola Broadcaster - 1967-09

ness of such a means of witnessing for there are few statistics of any type from which to judge. Remem­ ber, in the final analysis, the Lord judges the heart. It is not necessarily right for you to do this ju st because the Lord wants someone else to do it. He uses different people in different ways. Perhaps we should thank the Lord that there are some who are willing to be fools for Christ’s sake. If people are willing to carry plac­ ards for all sorts of weird causes, why shouldn’t we do it for the Lord ? Q, (Name of city withheld) — “My hus­ band has just asked me for a divorce. He has been running around with another woman and says that he will continue to do so unless I give him a divorce. I am a Christian and don’t know what to do. Can you offer some suggestions?” A. We assume that this California friend has talked the matter over at some length with the husband to make sure that her information is correct, because she indicates that he says he will continue to do the same things that he has been doing. We would say to this dear lady: Is there a possibility of having your husband consult with you, alone, or with your pastor? The letter does not indicate whether the husband is a believer. Divorce should be the very last resort. If the husband is so ob­ stinate and unrepentant, it would seem that she has scriptural grounds to give him the divorce. If there are children in the home, then this is even more of a burden. We are in complete Christian sympathy with this dear woman. Q. Albany, Ore. — “Do you think a person, particularly a woman over forty, should go to the mission field? This is something I must answer soon.” A. There are too many factors in­ volved to give a yes or no answer. 16

that are found therein. There is a certain getting ready of the minds of men for something out of the realm of the natural. Do not be led away with that or any other false wind of doctrine. Remain steadfast and sure upon the Word of God. Read Matthew 2 for a list of char­ acteristic signs of the Lord’s return. Q. Walnut Creek, Calif. — “In I I Timo­ thy 1:8 we read, 'God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.’ Does this mean that Christians should not have any mental illness?” A. Timothy had been set apart for the ministry. Paul exhorted him not to enter the work half-heartedly, but with concern and conviction. He was encouraged not to be overly con­ cerned about fearing people. If one is worshipping the Lord and preach­ ing the Word of God, he need not be afraid what others think. God says through Paul to Timothy, God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, going into the ministry afraid of shadow, but of power, knowing that the Lord’s energizing is behind us. The sound mind refers not to mental ill­ ness but rather discipline in the Lord’s service. Christians, generally, are more sound than any other seg­ ment of the population. I t is true that many m en ta l illnesses have physical causes. In these days when men’s minds and hearts are failing with the fear of what is coming on the earth, we, as believers, can thank God that we are grounded and found­ ed on the Rock. Q. Cleveland, Ohio — “Often I have seen people walking down the main street of town shouting ‘Repent,’ along wtih other religious phrases. This has always bothered me, and I have lately wondered i f this is be­ cause I am not willing to do it.” A. One might question the effective-

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