The Lord Jesus wanted them to know that it was possible for them to be saved if they repented. The Saviour was will ing to deliver them even in spite of what they did. Q . San Francisco, California — “What kind of a mark did God put on Cain?” A. The Bible, from Genesis through the Revelation, mentions certain kinds of marks. What these marks were, or will be, we do not know. Perhaps Cain bore some mark on his forehead. What ravages sin has wrought in the world! Q . Camas, Washington — “In Mark 1:26 we read that the unclean spirit tore the man and cried out with a loud voice. W ill you please explain just what happened in this case?” A. Exactly what happened is that which is recorded. This true illustra tion shows us something of the tre mendous wickedness of the unclean spirit. It may have appeared in out ward circumstances to be something of a violent fit or seizure. The man was frantic and was beside himself. It is the Lord Jesus Christ alone who has power over the demon world. Q . Billings, Montana — “W ill you please explain the verse in Ephesians 4:26 which says, ‘Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath.’ This seems to be a contradic tion. How can both be possible?” A. The Bible does not inject any con tradiction. “Be angry and sin not,” is an anger which is not considered in the sight of God as sin; it comes from a warranted cause. We sometimes call this righteous indignation. This was true of our Lord Jesus Christ in His ministry. He was never angry unto sin. It is possible for believers, in their zeal for the truth, to be angry and yet not be sinning. On the other hand, for us, we are sometimes wrongfully angry. For this reason, we read, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” There is a very fine line which a man may cross from righteous indignation to un warranted, selfish and personal indig-
Dr. Herbert H. Richardson (center) is hon-‘ ored for 25 years as the pastor which he founded, North Redondo Chapel, Redondo Beach, Calif. Flanking him are Dr. Arthur Mouw and Dr. Louis T. Talbot nation. One must be very careful for this reason. Q . Sacramento, California — “After a person is once sealed with the Holy Spirit, is it possible for the Holy Spirit to withdraw Himself or His presence from the believer because of some sin or sins in his life? If so, is there ever restoration for his condition or is it a state that is complete and final?” A. If a person is truly born-again, sealed with the Holy Spirit, then he never loses the Holy Spirit. One who is once saved is always saved. It is en tirely possible, however, for a believer to be out of fellowship with the Lord. In that case the Holy Spirit withdraws Himself; He is quenched. David com mitted sins of adultery and murder. In that great penetential Psalm we read his words, “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (Psalm 51:12). David wasn’t asking for a restoration of his salvation. He had lost the joy of it, however, and sought renewed fellow ship with the Lord. Thank God forgive ness and restoration is always possible if we confess our sins. (continued on next page) 15
Made with FlippingBook Annual report