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Biola BROADCASTER Monthly Publication of the BIOLA FELLOWSHIP Vol. 7 No. 12 DECEMBER, 1967 STAFF President ___ ____ S. H. SUTHERLAND Editor ................... AL SANDERS Production _______ BILLEHMANN Printing ............... CHURCH PRESS Published monthly by the Radio Dept. B IO L A S C H O O L S & C O L L E G E S 13800 Biole Avenue La Mirada, California 90638 THE RECONCILED LIFE .... 3 THE REJOICING LIFE ...... 5 REJOICING IN D IVINE PROVIDENCE ............. 7 THE RECKLESS LIFE ........ 9 Stuart Briscoe PSALM 23 — AI Sanders ..11 PARABLES A N D PEARLS ....16 PANEL DISCUSSIONS ...... 20 STUDIES IN 1st JOHN Lloyd T. Anderson ...... 24 COVER: Clyde Cook, Biola's Di rector of Missions, and Bob Thune, President of Student Missionary Union, direct pro gram of evangelism to Watts area with more than 200 Biola students. BIOLA ASSOCIATION OF CANADA P.0. Box 3013 Vancouver, B.C., Canada CONTENTS
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YOUR CHRISTIAN WILL Did yeu know that there is a way to Invost in Biola for the training of students while saving costly estate taxes! Ultimately you may be able to leave more money for your loved ones. As a Fellowship member you are under no obligation when you write for information or counsel. B IO L A S T E W A R D S H IP D E P A R T M E N T
by Stuart Briscoe, Assistant International Director of Torchbearers Fellowship, Capernwray Hall, England
THE RECONCILED LIFE
through the activity of a mediator, someone who came in between, it was possible for the two of them to be brought back together or to be reconciled. The Bible teaches us that God and man are intended to live in commun ion with each other. Their relation ship is to be so close and intimate that God enjoys man and man enjoys God. But man has wandered away from and rebelled against God. Be cause of sin, man has been con demned. As a result, there is a great gulf fixed. The good news is simply that it is possible for people who have been willfully rebellious and sin ful to be brought back into that per fect relationship with God which they were created to enjoy. The only way this spiritual reconciliation can take place is through a Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only begot ten Son.
I T has been A thrill for me in re cent days to spend time studying the wonderful epistle of Romans. Martin Luther referred to it as “the chief book of the New Testament.” Of course, it was through reading these chapters that the Spirit of God revealed the victorious message to him, “the just shall live by faith” alone. One of the church fathers in sisted that the epistle be read to him in its entirety every week of his life. No wonder it has been called “the profoundest book in existence.” Most of the great revivals down through the years to some degree found their center in an expositional ministry of this important portion of God’s Word. Anyone will find great inspiration and challenge for his own life as he takes time to study the chapters and verses. While there are many wonderful truths given here, the one I want to emphasize is the application of truth to the Christian life. First of all, an absolutely basic fact is delineated for us in Romans 5:10, 11, “For if, when we were enemies, we were re conciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (reconciliation). Previ ous chapters reveal the universality of sin and the judgment of God. All the world stands guilty before Him. Yet the Lord, in sovereign grace, reaches out towards those who are sinners to bring them back, through divine love, to Himself. Reconciliation is a term we fre quently hear when estranged married couples try to come together again. Two people who really belonged to gether, drifted apart. Generally,
Mr. D. Stuart Briscoe(center), associate gen eral director of the Torchbearer's Missionary Fellowship, Lancashire, England, hasthe oppor tunity for fellowship with Dr. NicholasKur- taneck (right), member of the Biola Colege faculty, and Mr. Rick Miller, new adition to the staff comingas supervisor of the Data Processing Division. Mr. Briscoewas not only featured at the Biola conferences this year, but also broughtthe Spiritual Emphasis Week challenge to the students of Biola College.
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a time in your experience when you. have admitted your estrangement to the Lord? Has there been a desire in your life to be brought back into re lationship with the One who made you? Can you recognize sin as the reason for your estrangement? Are you prepared to acknowledge that Jesus Christ died for your sin? If you can answer in the affirmative to all of these questions, then there is one thing more you need to do. Quiet ly pray to the Lord and say, “Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge my sin. I ’ve wandered away from You. I have rebelled and gone my own way. As a result I’ve gotten complete ly out of touch with You, living as though You never really existed. I understand that in Your concern for me, You sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die for me. I want to thank You for this, asking You to receive me back to Yourself for the sake of the Saviour.” If you will pray that prayer, you will be reconciled to God. This, how ever, is only the beginning. There are many wonderful vistas of the Christian life to explore throughout the pages of Scripture, and particu larly of this wonderful book of Romans.
Keep in mind that nowhere in the Bible does it teach that God is re conciled to man. You see, He hasn’t moved away from His position at all. It is man who has drifted away from the Lord. Man needs to be recon ciled. The Saviour’s purpose in com ing to earth was that He might act as Mediator and bring us back to God. It is unfortunate that some peo ple feel Christ’s ministry of media tion was because of His exemplary life; that through the miracles per formed and moral precepts taught He has furnished us the example. “We must only follow His principles,” they will erroneously declare. Such does not bring reconciliation at all. This is not what the Bible teaches. While these aspects of His life are certain ly true, yet as Romans 5:10 clearly reveals, it is “by the death of his Son” that we have this blessed state of reconciliation with God. Before the two estranged parties can be reunited, the cause for the break must be mended or overcome. Sin must be dealt with before man can be reconciled to God. Through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, sin was dealt with once and for all. A holy, righteous, and just God found it necessary for sin to be punished by death. The clear principle of Scripture is just that: “the wages of sin is death; the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” The genius of the Gos pel is that God sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins. When He did this, God was in a position to judge sin in the person of His Son. By this means He was then able to forgive sinners. But God could never forgive sinners without first judging sin. He could never reunite His estranged creation with Himself un til He had dealt with the cause of their separation. Before we can start talking about the Christian life, we must ask our selves a perfectly reasonable and yet terribly profound question: “Am I absolutely certain that I have been reconciled to God?” Has there been
Dr. Dorothy Braun(left), member of the Biola College faculty serving in the Christian Edu cation Department, talkswithPastor TruongTot of Dalat, Vietnam. Pastor Tot has come to Biola as one of fhe "Operation: Firebrand" students. Lookingon is Carolyn Duncan of LongBeach, Calif.
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A s we studied in our last message together, we sought to point out the way by which man becomes re conciled to God. The result of this reconciliation follows quite naturally and beautifully for this should al ways cause rejoicing. Of the basic reasons for this abounding life, I would like to share four ideas from Romans 5:1-11. We read in verse two that we are to rejoice “in the hope of the glory of God,” “in tribulation” (verse 3), in divine provision (verses 9-10), and “we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 11). First of all, are you rejoicing in your future prospects? Do you have a confidence that one day you shall share in all the glory of God’s per son and provision, spending all of eternity in His presence? This is not something you hope will happen, but that about which you have real con fidence. There are many people in the world today who are terrified when they think of the future. They have no real conception as to what tomor row holds, to say nothing of eternity. One can sympathize with them for they fall into the category about which the Bible speaks saying they are without God, without Christ, and without hope. What a dark and bleak picture! For them, the future only promises the possibility of more problems and difficulties. This is on a personal as well as a national and an international level. Consider the moral disintegration we find on every hand and one can understand why a person without Christ is terrified of the future. This is certainly not true with an individ ual who has been reconciled to God. He will experience the rejoicing life. He has the glorious confidence of one
day spending all eternity basking in the glory of God. The entire reason for rejoicing in the midst of a per plexed generation is that you might share with them the secrets of your peace and tranquility. Are you doing that? One unfortunate charge leveled against Christians is that they aren’t involved in what is going on today. As the old adage suggests, “They’re so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.” Perhaps it is true that some believers spend all their time rejoicing in future prospects all the while ignoring the present situation. Can you rejoice in present prob lems ? How strange that some folk have the mistaken concept that Chris-
Finishing touches havebeen put on different areasof the new Student UnionBuilding on the Biola Campus. Twoof the maintenance men are pictured completingmail boxes. On the left is ShirlMansfieldand, right, Blair Felder. We thankCod for dedicated men who work behind the scenes to make the school an even more efective ministryfor Christ.
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tians have no problems. In truth, a believer frequently will have more than his share of troubles. Romans 5:3 shows how it is possible to glory in the worst kind of pressures and hardships. It is sad to say that some times when these forces are brought to bear upon a Christian, the result has been that his faith is almost squeezed out of existence. He will too readily capitulate to the circum stances that seek to weigh him down. What are the pressures that are being brought to bear upon your life? Did you know that these tribulations are glorious opportunities for you to learn to rejoice? I realize this state ment is easy to make, and an entire ly different thing to put into practice. If you believe the Bible, however, you will be tremendously impressed with the fact that trials are but one link in the inevitable chain of events which ultimately, as the Holy Spirit works within us, will bring that kind of assured hope which will cause us to rejoice before those who know not Christ with an assurance rather than a fear. You see, pressures re produce endurance. When an athlete is training, he must endure all sorts of hardness, regardless of the sport in which he is involved. He knows that such discipline will bring tough ness and stamina. Even so, if a Chris tian can understand that tribulations and pressures are intended to pro duce in him a greater capability for facing up to what God’s demands are in his life, he is on the road to true rejoicing. Experience here sug gests the athlete who enters the race and who is approved because of the patience with which he faced the trials of training. When the Bible refers to hope, the meaning is confidence. So, see this wonderful chain of events. We re joice in present problems because these pressures produce endurance which brings “approvedness” because we have passed the test. This results in confidence for we have discovered
that the Lord has been absolutely adequate for our every need and is more than capable of bringing us through each difficulty of life. In this manner, we can face the next test, not with fear, but in confidence, a confidence borne wholly in a God who is adequate for each one of these needs. How revealing and tru e these words of Scripture for confidence doesn’t make people ashamed. Yes, “hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our G O D 'S P R O M IS E S When days were dark and the nights were drear, What was it that dispelled thy fear? God's gracious promises. When fortune beamed its sweetest smile, What kept thee humble all the while? God's precious promises. When friends and neighbors proved untrue. What gave thee hope to start anew? God's faithful promises. When in the throes of deep distress, What helped thee in thy helplessness? God's mighty promises. When tempests rose and would not cease, What calmed thy heart with perfect peace? God's wondrous promises. — W. M. Czamanski hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Here th e Bible teaches us that a Christian is a per son in whom the Holy Spirit dwells doing that which is wonderful. He sheds abroad in our hearts a con sciousness that we are loved of God. This is His continual teaching min istry. God knows perfectly well what He is doing. Because of this, we can readily look at the next test facing us, knowing that we have the en durance for it. Are you living the re conciled, as well as the rejoicing life? 6
by Stuart Briscoe
REJOICING IN DIVINE PROVIDENCE
T OO often Christians fail to realize the wonderful opportunity they have of committing all that they are and have into the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans 5:9 and 10 we see how marvelously and match lessly the Lord has made every pro vision for our needs. “Much more then, being now justified by His blood.” You see, there is more to the Christian experience than only to be justified by the blood of Christ. The apostle goes on to say that “we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Now, a person who knows what it is to be justified by the blood of Christ and who is looking forward to the day when he will be saved from wrath through Christ, certainly has something about which to rejoice. First of all, what does it mean to be justified by Christ’s blood? This doctrine would require a great deal of space to deal with it in depth. Just one aspect, however, is like God do ing some divine bookkeeping. He turns over the ledger of His great accounts to your page. There He sees all the sin, debt and failure which has accrued from your life. Although it comes to a terrific total, the Lord writes across the page when by faith you receive the Saviour, “Trans ferred to the account of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Then, turning to the record of His Son, He writes all your debt against that account. On the other side of the ledger, He has listed all the righteousness of the Lord. This being totaled, it alone can expunge your record of sin, both of omission and commission. This is what takes place when you are re conciled to God. Justified, you see, among other things, means that you have reckoned to Christ all your debts and He has reckoned to you all
His riches. Now, doesn’t that make you want to rejoice? Yet there is more to it than merely having your past forgiven. The Bible assures us, “We shall be saved from wrath through Him.” This is in the future tense. The Gospel not only deals with man’s past, but also with eternity. It is an eternity of judg ment, condemnation and separation from God for those who have not accepted His way of salvation (John 14:6). The good news of the Gospel is that it is possible for human be ings to be saved from God’s wrath. Do you realize how really wonderful that is? It is possible for one to know that while he is living on earth that there is no condemnation, and that he has been delivered from the wrath of God. Having said all of this, we need to remember that most Christians find that the majority of their prob lems are not with the past or the future, but rather the present! How
Mr. Ronald Hater (left), directorof the Biola Alumni Association, has the opportunity for fellowship withtwo of the school's "Operation: Firebrand" students. They have come to Biola to prepare for the Lord's service in theirown countries. In the center is the Rev. Moses Gbodi from Ghana, and Pastor Truong Van Tot from Dalat, VietNam.
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complete is God’s revelation and truth for us. You see, in that God dealt with your past and secured your eternal destiny, He has also won- drously provided for your todays. Think of the things we should be saved from today: temptation, in dwelling sin, yes, even ourselves. So many dangers we stupidly rush into head long. We are saved by His life. This is not talking about a human being saved by a crucified Christ. It is talking about people being saved by a risen Christ. Is yours a Chris tianity which rejoices in a past for given, an eternity secure, and in the knowledge of a full adequate provi sion for every day's need? If you do know these things, you will be one of the happiest people on the face of God’s earth. You will rejoice con tinually in His divine provision. We are also to joy in God. Some of us seem to be like children at a Christmas party who love to have the presents from Dad, but as soon as the day is gone, have little time or interest for him. How sad that there are those who treat the Lord like that, even though they may have good intentions. Have you ever taken the time to rejoice in God’s person? Are you delighted in the very fact that the Lord is real, vital and thrill ing to you? Are you a rejoicing per son? If so, it will be obvious to the world, your world, wherever it might be and be exhilaratingly happy. Peo ple soon will be watching you and will get interested in this Christian ity of yours. Remember, that the re conciled life is intended to lead to the rejoicing life. * * * The poorest man in the world is the one whose onlywealth is computed in money. ★ * * A SUPREME SACRIFICE On Biola’s Bible tour overseas the middle of this year, it was awe-inspir ing to see such things as the works of art in the famed Louvre at Paris. The story is told about one statue which had been created by a very impover
ished artist who did all his work under the most adverse circumstances in his unheated, tiny, one - room apartment. One night when a sudden cold, gripped the city, the craftsman, afraid that the moistened clay of his nearly finished statue would freeze and crack, got up and carefully took his own bedclothes and blankets to enshroud it with warmth in the fireless room. The next day, no one having heard from him, a check was made. Neighbors were hor rified to find the elderly artist dead, but his work was preserved. Have you ever thought how the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life for us: worthless clay whom He fashioned into a crea tion bearing His oum likeness. Seeing our danger of eternal ruination by sin, the Lord gave His life on the cross. He covered us with His perfect robes of divine righteousness through eternal life. The Scripture assures us, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that ye through Hispoverty mightbe rich.” * * w Those who spend time on their knees will have no problem standing on their feet. * * * UNITE IN LOVE Nature provides many unusual re minders if we only heed them. Travel ers tell us that there is an ancient mon astery in Germany which has hanging on its wall two pair of deer horns in terlocked hopelessly with each other, in separably entangled. Apparently nei ther could move and soon both helpless creaturesperished. Iwonder if it wouldn’t be well to have those horns on display in some churches or even in some homes? They might well remind us of the dangers of always fighting and bickering, generally to have our own way. How sad that some people seem to feel that they have to be right. They’re ready to lock horns with some one else at the least little provocation. Oh, how we need to be united together in Christian love, in honor preferring one another! Scripture rightly enjoins us, “Look not every man on his own things (his own desires), but every man also on the things (spiritual needs) of others.” Let us be of one mind and of one accord in Christ. 8
Abraham God was the source of all life. When one has a God like that, the intelligent thing to do is to trust Him. There is no danger in having a reckless faith in Him. Abraham’s conception of God was vast. As a result his faith was equally vast. We are intended to have this kind of implicit trust. Do you? If you’re going to live the reigning life, the rejoicing life, the reconciled life, and enjoy the “reckless life,” it must come through faith. I t is said of Abraham, “who against hope, believed in hope” (verse 18). Since there was absolutely no reason for confidence, Abraham was overwhelmingly confident. The Lord
S OME OP THE most wonderful and practical illustrations anyone can use are those which are derived di rectly from the Word of God. In Ro mans 4:17-23 we have an important lesson concerning faith, based on the patriarch, Abraham. Of all the per tinent things this saint can teach us — perhaps the greatest concerns the aspect of faith. The Bible clearly shows us that we are saved by faith, we stand by faith, we walk by faith, we overcome by faith. Consider any area of Christian life and you will see this basic prin ciple of faith. We are enjoined to have this same kind of faith Abra ham had. If we are going to live what we might call the reckless life, it is going to be by faith. Let us profit by what Scripture tells us concern ing Abraham’s faith. One can’t help but notice that it was based in the Lord. To give a broad outline for this section, we would suggest, Confidence in a Person, Conversant with the Problems, Consistent in Progress, Convinced of the Promises. The important thing about faith is not so much its volume as it is its object. The important thing about faith is upon what we base it. All exercise faith of some type. Men have faith in their automobiles, in the air they breathe, in their favorite restaurants, generally in most any thing. When it comes to faith in God, people seem to think that’s different. Basically, however, it’s the same. The difference is in the object. Their problem is they don’t have a small faith, but faith in what to them is a small God. The One whom We serve is not of this type whatsoever. This portion of Scripture says He is a God who quickens the dead and calls into existence non-existent things. To
Two of Biola's staff members have’ their sons atending the school this year, both of whom were presidents of theirrespective high school student bodies. From left to right is Allen Carden, last year's president of theLa Mirada High School student body. Next to him is his father, Mr. William L. Carden, director of AdmissionsforBiola Colege, todd Lewis, former president of Neff HighSchol student body, is with his father, Mr. VernonLewis, a member of the Biola Collegefaculty. We thankGod for the high caliber of young people whom the Lord is sending to Biola for preparation in His service.
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had promised a son when Abraham and Sarah were nearly 100. What grounds are there for confidence? Yet, Abraham was fully convinced God wouldn’t have promised him if He hadn’t meant what He suggested. This is what faith is all about. Then, Abraham’s faith was con versant with the problems. “He did not weaken in faith when he con sidered his own body now dead, when he was about 100 years old, and he did not weaken in faith when he considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” This saint of old moved straight through his problems with faith in God. Abraham knew he served a God whose speciality is bringing life out of darkness. While he is conversant with the problem, he doesn’t concentrate on it. While carefully evaluating it he looks straight through to a God who is adequate for every need. His second problem was that Sarah’s womb was barren, as it had been for many years. Humanly speak ing, th is was an insurmountable problem. Again, however, he knew his God could call into existence non existent things. Abraham recognized the problems as opportunities for his God to specialize. This is exactly what faith is all about. There’s a difference between irresponsibility and faith. Some people just do not face up to facts. Abraham’s faith carefully evaluated the problem, and rejoiced in God’s ability. The third aspect of Abraham’s faith was that there was progress. Verse 20 tells us, “He staggered not at the promise of God through un belief.” The word translated “stag gered” here is the same James uses and which is translated “wavered.” One who wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed. Do you know anyone who has this kind of faith; up one minute and down the next? Sometimes it even sinks out of sight together. Abraham grew stronger in faith as he gave all the glory to God. Too often we fail to
follow this vital pattern. To be sure, there will be delays, awkward ques tions, nagging doubts, and supersti tious fears; yet, instead of sinking under them, Abraham was consis tently strengthened. Lastly, he was convinced of the promises. He was fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Maybe you are saying, “Oh, I wish I could be like Abraham; I wish I had that kind of faith.” Don’t keep on wishing—do something about it. You’re a long way ahead of Abraham as far as God’s provisions are concerned. If Abraham could produce this kind of faith without the revealed written Word of God, what kind of faith ought you to have in a God who has given us so much more through the Bible, as well as in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ? We can only be saved by faith, but re member, we can only live the Chris tian life by faith. Are you ready for this type of faith? THE BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS I'd like to see the Bible placed Where the Bible used to be, Upon the top of the teacher's desk For every child to see; I'd like to hear the teacher say, As my teacher used to do: "Before we work or play, dear ones, I want to read to you." I'd like to see the teacher stand Before the class began And lift with reverent care the Book That makes God's purpose plain, And ere the youngsters went to work. I'd like to hear her voice Repeat those words of truth and faith That makes one's soul rejoice. Yes, I'd like to see the Bible placed Where the Bible used to be, I'd like to hear it read aloud In the schoolroom of the free. I want my children taught to know God's matchless gift of love, The Book of books is wisdom's gate To that bright home above.
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PSALM 23
by A l Sanders
S ometimes when it is necessary for shepherds to cross a swollen, turbulent stream, they coax the sheep across in a very interesting manner. The herdsman may use the ruse of taking a little lamb from the protec tion of its mother and carrying it across to the other side. To get to her baby, the mother sheep forgets any danger and crosses, and by and by is followed by the rest of the flock. This reminds us of the fact that sometimes God has to take that which is most precious to us in order that we may forget ourselves and be willing to follow Him. God has a perfect pathway which He has des ignated for every one of His children. The Lord is not going to take you some place where He has not already gone Himself. The butcher drives the sheep to the slaughter house, while the shepherd leads them to the fold. The words, “He leadeth me,” make a demand on our faith. Don’t be self- willed or impetuous but rather await His time; He’ll give you His best, you can be sure. “He leadeth me in the paths of righ teou sn ess.” One translation makes this read, “in the wagon ruts.” It sounds on the surface a little dif ficult to understand. It does make sense, however, when we realize that in David’s time, the wagons they used generally had wheels about a foot wide. As they turned down the way, they made quite a wide path themselves. The ruts would wear deeper, wider, smoother. Because of this, people would often try to walk in the soft wagon ruts. The sheep too liked to walk this way because usually there were no sharp stones to hurt their feet, since they had been pulverized previously by the wheels. The Lord says, “I’m going
to lead you in the path that is the providential one, just right for you.” Moffat’s translation sugg ests “He keeps me on the right track.” Have you ever, stopped to realize that there’s no passage in the Word of God where we’re ever cautioned against trusting the Lord too much? Verse four is one of the most fa miliar portions of Scripture, and cer tainly stands out in this particular chapter. How often it’s been repeated in th e difficult circumstances of death. There are many tragedies to life, and yet for the one who had the Lord as his Shepherd, there is a settled confidence that in these difficult moments of life, the Saviour will always be with us. You see, we have the blessed understanding that the Shepherd Himself went this way once before. He tasted death for all men. Death need hold no dread or fear for us.
Mr. Frank Watson (center), member of the Biota Stewardship Department, looksover the program development for the school withMr. John Isaac (left). Director of Stewardship, and Mr. Al Sanders, Vice President of Public Rela tions. Stewardship Representatives are trained to asist Christiansin matters pertaining to wills, agrements, estate planning, and other phases of Christian stewardship.
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The verb walk is most interesting. I remember as a boy, out late at night, not walking but running home, because I was scared. So often when we come to difficulties and hard ex periences in life, we have a tendency to either jump at conclusions and run for the nearest exit, or of stand ing still and being petrified, not knowing what to do. Notice that the verse states, “I walk through the valley.” How care ful the Spirit of God is, even when it comes to the prepositions! The word through suggests to us progress toward a destination. I t doesn’t read, “Yea, though I walk in the valley” for it is not a settled abiding place, but something we are to go through. Death is not an enduring condition nor even an abiding place. In Isaiah 43:2 we read, “When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee, and when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned.” You see what the Spirit of God is suggesting to us ? These problems, th e se heartaches, these burdens, these difficulties, what ever they may be, are not going to
last; you’re not going to stay in the midst of them forever. The Lord is going to take you on through. In the city of Damascus there’s a long, dark, narrow lane, with build ings and walls on both sides of the passage way. It’s a very depressing place to go through, travellers tell us. It ends at an even darker and more foreboding tunnel which, when finally traversed through, empties in to the beautifully flowered court yard of a palace. What a picture this is of settled confidence the believer may realize; on the other side is complete victory and abounding joy! The “valley” is suggestive of a chasm. There was just such a place between Jerusalem and the road to Jericho. A valley reminds us of the fact that there’s higher ground on either side. Note where this verse is situated in the 23rd Psalm. I probab ly would have placed it right at the end of the chapter, for death seems to be the final word. The phrase, however, is almost exactly in the middle of the chapter. The reason for this is that not always at the end of life do we find death as a lurking foe. Sometimes there is a day to day and hand to hand encounter with the specter of death. Let’s just keep in mind that we’re merely pilgrims with our home on the other side. A little girl was walking along by the side of a graveyard, whistling and singing happily without a seem ing care or woriy. A woman stopped and asked her, “Little girl, aren’t you afraid ? After all, this is a ceme tery.” She laughed and pointed across the fields to the other side explain ing. “Oh, no, you see my home is just on the other side.” So as we see dark shadows during this life time, we too can say “Such things don’t bother me; they’re not my con cern, for my home is just on the other side.” The brightness of the sunlight of God’s love waits to shine in upon you. Death, you see, is a physical act which affects the body but can
Ribboncuting ceremonies inaugurate Biola's new fountain to be used by students as well as facultyandstaff. Dr. Samuel H. Sufherland (center), cuts the ribbonwith the assistance of RickAllen, Associated Student Body president, at the right. To the left is Mr. David Morton, student chairman of the Colege Union Board. BehindDr. Sutherlandand Mr. Allen is the Rev. Keneth B. Daniels, director of the Christian Service Department of Biola.
them back to safety in the fold. Sometimes the shepherd had to use the staff to trip up the sheep so they wouldn’t go astray. So it speaks to us of the Lord’s guidance. Interesting, is n ’t it, th a t the Psalmist should say that these things “comforted” him? Who likes to be corrected? Few of us can stand a great deal of criticism, even if it’s justified. Verse 5 of Psalm 23 tells us, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” Frankly, I would much prefer it if David had said, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of the angels,” or at least with my friends. Who wants to eat in front of his enemies? Yet this verse clearly shows us that God’s love is so great it protects us even in the dark circumstances of life. He is bound upon His Word to supply our every need. “No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.” Man so wearily searches for satisfaction finding only broken cisterns. The only contentment in life is in the Lord Himself. I t was Augus tine of old who declared, “Thou hast made us for Thyself, 0 Lord, and we are restless until we rest in Thee.” Our enemies are there because they want to starve us out.
not in any way touch the faculties of the soul. The Word of God assures us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. So while the shadow cannot hurt, it can frighten, and fear is the by-product of distrust. How to overcome the fear is quite a natural question. Under score the challenging phrase, “for Thou art with me.” A little girl was going to undergo an operation. It was a serious illness nnd although she tried to be brave she was frightened. The doctor as sured her that they would make it possible for her mother to be by her side in the operating room. The anx ious frown on her face turned to a smile. She explained to the kindly physician, “It’ll be all right now, Doctor, as long as Mommy can hold my hand.” Yes, in the darkness of our life, God’s always there to hold our hand and to take us through. The last part of this fourth verse suggests, “Thy rod and'thy staff they comfort me.” These were two instru ments used for entirely different pur poses. The rod was used as a weapon to strike down any adversaries. We’re all familiar with the policeman’s night stick. The rod was something like that. It was heavy, the end often weighted with rocks or sharp metal pieces covered by a leather bag. It could certainly kill if the Shepherd needed to wield it in this manner. The rod is an emblem of authority. Moses used his rod in this manner, showing the power of the Lord. The responsibility of keeping your soul is God’s. There is therefore no need for fear. What a comfort i t is to realize that there is somebody al ways watching over us! Christ as sures us, “My sheep shall never perish, neither shall any man [or devil] pluck them out of my hands.” The staff was sometimes called the shepherd’s crook because at one end was a curved, twisted piece. We’ve all seen pictures of it. It was used to pull back wayward sheep, lifting them out of thickets, and bringing
Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland, Biola president, makesa selection of food from the new foun tain which has recently been opened in the Student Union Building. The facility serves about 100 people and Is used by students, staff and faculty.
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Several years ago it was the plan of the Russian Communists to bring the We.st to her knees as far as the Berlin partitioning was concerned by starving out people in the Western sector. They cut off all of the high ways and rail lines leading into the city and it was a desperate situation in the cold war. But, strategically, the United States gained the upper hand by flying in huge plane loads of food. Bomber after bomber landed in West Berlin and the ineffective block ade was soon lifted. Help came from above. As we look about us, it may seem at times that all of the lines of supply have been cut off. How foolish we are only to look about us and not up! God always has the supply line open to bring us every need we may have. “Thou anointest my head with oil.” Frequently, in Old Testament times, whenever a guest came into the home it was a part of the Oriental custom to anoint the individual with per fumed oil. Generally each household made its own and sometimes the fra grance was so distinctive that one could identify the family with which he had been staying. God anoints us with the oil of gladness so that we might remember the fellowship and communion we’ve had with Him, and desire to hasten back to the sacred tryst.
Oil, of course, speaks of the Holy Spirit. That we are anointed on the head suggests empowerment fo r service. The mind is the thought cen ter, the area where God needs to be given complete control. Oil was also used by the shepherd, carried in his cruse, to be used for healing as it was placed upon the bruises and cuts. It had real restorative value for the sheep. An Indian translation of this portion says, “He puts His hands upon my head and all the tired is gone.” What a beautiful, picturesque form of speech. The heads of the sheep cracked in the sun and the oil healed that difficulty too. Finally, the last part of this 5th verse is, “My cup runneth over.” God has done so much for us that we fre quently take His merciful bounties for granted. It’s so easy to do. In the broad Scottish translation the phrase is “My cup is teeming full.” Here is God’s blank check for us. Who of us, despite our situation, can say that here in Ametica we haven’t been re ceiving a cup full to overflowing of blessings? On whom does your cup overflow? Too often for most people it overflows simply on self, rather than upon the needs of others. Think for a moment about the cup from which Christ drank. Can you picture with your mind’s eye a con tainer big enough to hold all the sin fulness of humanity? Think of the poison in the heart of man. Christ tasted the cup of death for every man that we might drink the eternal wa ter of life. The Saviour came to give us life and that more abundantly. Finally in the sixth verse we have the familiar words, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The word “surely” rings forth a note of certainty. There is no element of doubt here whatso ever. Has the Lord ever failed you? He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Even as the refreshing wa ter followed the children of Israel through the wilderness, so goodness and mercy are on our trail. Goodness
Thwe are many unique ways to witnessfor Christ. Here a group of young people gather to hear the testimony of a Biola student in the new recreation centerofthe Student Union building. The structure was built throughfunds made posible by Biola students themselves.
DANGER OF PROLONGING if« dangerous to put off decisions which affect eternal destinies. D. L. Moody tells about one of the largest crowds he ever had the privilege of ad dressing in Chicago. He was speaking of Christ’s trial in Pilate’s hall when the question was asked, “What then shall I do with Jesusf” He concluded his sermon by exhorting the people, “TaJee these thoughts home with you. Seriously consider them. Next Sunday I’ll talk about the cross and you can decide what you urill do with the Sav our.” Moody said that this was his tragic error for he never saw that con gregation again. As the message end ed, Ira Sankey sang, but his voice was drowned cut by the clanging of fire bells. It was the disastrous night of the Chicago fire. Moody’s own taber nacle was left in ashes. Among those who perished were doubtless many who had been in his audience. Moody testi fied later, “That taught me a real les son. When preaching Christ, press for an immediate and definite decision!” The Bible rightly reminds us, “Boast net thyself of tomorrow, for thou know- est not what a day may bring forth”; “Behold now is the accepted time”; “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT How blessed it is for the believer to know that he can experience daily vic tory over problems and trials in his life by being filled with the Spirit of God. It’8 such a primary and even ele mentary example of Scripture that some fail to realize how this vital ac tion takes place. Consider the illustra tion of just a plain empty drinking glass. How does one get the air out of it? Should it be sucked out by a pump? No, this would never work. It would merely create a vacuum and eventually the glass would shatter. There’s only One real way to do it. If we were there in your home, we would put the glass under the water faucet and then fill it to the brim. In this manner all the air would be removed. One doesn’t with draw sin here and there, but rather finds his power over sin by being filled with the Spirit. Scripture exhorts us, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; Be filled with the Spirit.” 15
represents God’s grace and unmerit ed favor. He supplies every want. Mercy suggests failure. When we sin, God supplies pardon not just for a certain prescribed period of time, but rather for all the days of my life. That means the dark days, the depressing days, the sick days, the discouraging days, the defeated days, the lonely days. U ndersco re the words ,‘‘all the days.” Finally there is the certainty of heart, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Into each home death will come some day. But into the home which God has provided for us death can never invade. Our Sav iour testifies in the 14th chapter of John, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Aren’t you glad you’re not build ing your own home over yonder? I’ve talked to a lot of people who’ve de signed and even built their own homes. Generally, every one will over look something and the mistake will be discovered after the building’s been completed. The home the Lord is constructing for us in which we’ll dwell for all eternity is nothing like that. Nothing is omitted and nothing is wrong. The changes of this mortal life are really necessary to prepare us for that life which is changeless. Look at it this way: time is the robing room for eternity. The poet has writ ten, “0 for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still.” “Blessed are the homesick for they shall reach home.” After all, what is the house of God, but actual ly His presence in our lives day by day? Enjoying heaven before we ac tually reach heaven requires faith which simply reckons a position which belongs to it. I t is based upon the assurance of God’s Holy Word. There is no other way to enter the green pastures of the Lord than the manner by which He has given us when He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
parables and pearls (AS FEATURED OVER "T H E BIOLA HOUR")
sive. Agitation, struggle, fretfulness keep them from enjoying contentment and satisfaction. The real-problem is a conflict of wills between God and man. Our will is so often motivated by ig norance, agitation and selfishness. Too generally our desires are merely to sat isfy our own personal gains. Conflict for the believer may be resolved by prayer. But keep in mind, intercession is not a. lever by which we foolishly seek to force God’s will into line with our own. It’s not a bait by which we lure the Almighty to do what we ask. It is an act of communion and fellow ship with the Lord by which we bring our will into conformity with His. Are you willing to surrender to His divine providence and purpose in all things? Only in this manner, even amid con flicts, can we be more than conquerors through Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. * God often shuts every door about us, but He never shuts the door above us. NO FEAR OF DEATH When we’re enjoying good health, “the valley of the shadow of death” holds no fear or foreboding. When sickness comes, however, the heart quickly can be gripped with panic and alarm. A Christian doctor was calling on a patient who was very ill. Although the sick man knew the Lord, he was concerned about what feelings he might have should this be his time to go. As the godly physician sought words of comfort, he heard a strange scratching at the door. Opening it to see what was going on, his faithful dog, who rode with him in the car, bounded in the room. Somehow, it had jumped out of the automobile and wanted to be with its master. What an eager show of gladness the dog gave the kind doctor. Turning to his patient, the physician 16 * *
THE DANGER OF WORRY Do you ever worry? I suppose i f 8 one of the easiest things to do. Yet the Bible reminds the Christian that he is to pray about everything so that he will have anxious thoughts about noth ing. Scripture tells us that “perfect love [a love for our Lord Jesus Christ] cast- eth out fear. How many broken hearts and frustrated minds there are because of anxiety. A Johns Hopkins doctor says that people who worry die much sooner than now-worriers. He’s right, for to live by worry means the ulti mate destruction of the body, as well as a withering of the soul. God desires for us to have faith, not fear. One of Spurgeon’8 pointed sayings was, “I f an ant came to the door of your granary begging for help, would it ruin you to give him one kernel of your wheat? Of course not. Keep in mind that you are but a tiny insect standing at the door to God’s all-sufficiency. Don’t doubt His sure supply.”Have you asked Him? You know, the Lord only takes care of those burdens which you, by faith, de posit with Him. * * * Your simple responsibility is to do your duty and then leave the rest with God. * * * CONFLICT OF WILLS Oceanographers tell us some interest ing things about the sea; for instance, off the coast of California there’s a spot where two strong currents meet. Wa ters are constantly churning in con flict. Of course, before being properly marked, the area was a navigational nightma/re. Many a ship with its crew has been lost in the murky chaos. The thrashing of the waves never ends. Danger lurks all the time for those foolish enough to get near. There is an interesting spiritual parallel to this for many go through life in constant turmoil. Rest and peace seem so elu
asked, “What do you think of a dog like mine? He’s never been in this room before and had no idea what was in side. The only thing he was sure of was that his master was here. That’s why, when I opened the door, he sprang in without fear.” What a practical illus tration! As Christians, we know little of what is on the other side of death except that it will be glory and bless ing. Of one thing we are positively as sured: our Master and Saviour is there and that’s enough. When the door to death opens, we can pass through it triumphantly, without fear, for to be with Christ is far better! Even so, come, Lord Jesus. * * * Some people grow wise; others merely grow older. * * * COMFORTING OTHERS Have you ever felt discouraged or depressed? These are some of Satan’s clever tools to defeat the Christian. It should be our desire to live victoriously, as well as to provide encouraging strength for those in spiritual need. Without over-simplifying the situation, it’s so true that those who live close to the Lord have the insight into His purposes. In Genesis we read how that, after being wrongfully accused, Joseph was thrown into prison. Still there’s no record to indicate that he complained or made himself obnoxious to fellow- prisoners. In fact, just the opposite was true. Remember the two men from the king’s palace who each had dreams? Scripture shows that while oppressed himself, Joseph showed them sym pathy. He asked, “Why look ye so sad ly?” This word of compassion just seemed to unlock their hearts. Fortu nately, Joseph wasn’t so swallowed up in his own troubles that he became blind to the signs of another’s need. He wasn’t slow in trying to comfort them. When you stop to think about it, the tendency is for grief to make us selfish and bitter. In reality, the Lord desires that these things should make us tender-hearted and quick of hand to help others in need. The blessed truth is that we win comfort for our own sorrows by offering solace to those who need to be shown compassion. Remem ber the little couplet, “In every pang that rends the heart, the Man of sor
rows has a part." A s the Psalmist de clared, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him” (Psalm 25:11). * Nothing is great without God and noth ing is small with God. * * * * * 1. Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labor of love, for her willing hands and happy heart translate duty into privilege and her labor becomes a service to the Lord as well as to her loved ones. 2. Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both visitor and well loved friend; for gracious hospitality is a test of true Christianity and spir itual stewardship. 3. Blessed is she who mends stockings, toys, and broken hearts; for her under standing is a balm to those in real need physically and spiritually. 4. Blessed is she who scours and scrubs; she knows that while cleanli ness is important, it reminds her that forgiveness of sins in the human heart can only be made possible through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 5. Blessed is she whom children love; for the love of a boy or girl is more to be treasured than fame or fortune. 6. Blessed is she who sings at her work for music lightens the heaviest load and brightens the dullest chore. 7. Blessed is she who dusts away doubts and fears, sweeping out the cobwebs of confusion; her faith, in Christ will triumph over all adversity, and her patience of hope will be re warded by the Lord. 8. Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal; for her buoyancy of spirit is an aid to mental and physical digestion. She knows that the Bibles says, "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine." 9. Blessed is she who preserves the sanctity of the Christian home; for hers is a sacred trust that crowns her with dignity and results in her hus band's praise, and her children aris ing and calling her blessed. BEATITUDES FOR A CHRISTIAN WIFE
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