THE KING’S BUSINESS MAKING GOD POPULAR Earnest Christians are Sometimes Misled into Thinking that God’s Message in Christ Needs to be Toned Down to be
428
Acceptable He did not urge rich men and women to give some,of their wealth for their so-called less fortunate brothers. He demanded that they give themselves to Him and so to their fellows. He did not say that the world was in such bad shape that God simply could not do anything with it, with out the co-operation o f the student classes. He did indicate that the men to whom He spoke needed to be saved to a life that would find expression in' friendly helpful ness, as naturally as the rising sun gives light and warmth to all the, world. W e need among students today those who will modestly yet fearlessly and faith fully, give their witness to the transform ing power o f God in Christ, and the need which every person has for that power. They need not worry whether God is “pop ular” or not. Such men and women will not have to hedge and trim in dealing with august college and university authorities. It will be as clear as noon-day that they have just one absorbing passion, one dom inating motive—Jesus Christ. Whether they or their Lord meets with the approval o f others will not deflect them from their true course—the lifting up before all men o f our victorious Lord. The task is not dependent upon intel lectual ability, social standing and athletic prowess; God can and dqes use all o f these talents., W e have not to convince others by argument that our position is right. Argument rarely convinces anyone, least o f all in things o f the spirit. Always the gospel has made progress, not by force of arms or intellectual ability, but by the sin cere, straight testimony o f those who themselves have companioned with Jesus and learned o f Him. O f course, God offers us the inestimable privilege o f being fellow-workers with Him. But let us not fool ourselves into thinking that He sorely needs us, until we have first satisfied, our own soul’s longing and need for our Almighty God,
T HE following article, reprinted from a recent'issue1 o f The North American Student, the official organ o f the college Christian Association o f North America, and o f the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions, has the true ring. Such messages cannot fail to help our Christian students. W e commend this article and the magazine, too, to our reader’s prayers: I N SOME quarters there are a few stu dents who believe it is their duty to mankind “to make God popular,” to quote one o f their number. This is simply putting in plain, direct language what certain per sons seem to regard as their high calling. The presumption and blasphemy o f such an effort is patent enough when stated in this bald fashion. But how often even earnest people are led into thinking that God’s message in Christ needs to be cloaked or toned down so as to be acceptable. The simple fact' is that when God once completely filled a human life, He was not popular and gave no attention to consider ing whether He was or not. He made, with, perfect frankness, the most- sweeping demand upon the loyal allegiance o f all men o f whatever class. He reminded them that they were sinners and that if they d id 'n ot turn from their evil ways, they would not see life. Jesus did not say He was come to lead men into “ service,” though He did. He said He had come to give .“life.” He did not urge the Pharisees, the cor rect living, eminent respectable “ students” o f his time, to open classes to teach Hebrew or Aramaic to “ foreigners” ; His teaching, if accepted, would lead to many such forms o f helpfulness to strangers. He did speak in the most. pointed and pungent way of the shams and subterfuges by which these decent people were deceiving themselves. He spoke in unmistakably terms o f their own needs, which must first be met before they could helpfully meet those o f others.
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker