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! JULY, 1964 (With radio features | used on June broad- | casts of the "Biola ,t Hour" programs.)
CALIFORNIA A n w o Grande-San Luis Obispo KCIH 1280
I B I O L A broadcaster Monthly Publication of the BIOLA FELLOWSHIP Vol. 4 No. 7 JU LY , 1964 CONTENTS HIDDEN WEALTH ................................ 3 YOU'RE LOOKING GREAT .......... 5 LEARNING .............. 7 IT WORKS ................................................. 9 KEEPING FIT ............................................ 11 HOW DO I LOOK ................................... 13 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ......... 15 TUESDAY-THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY ......................................20 HOW SHOULD WE ACT ................. 22 WHAT SHALL I KEEP IN MIND ..24 DON'T BE ENVIOUS .............................27 PARABLE AND PEARLS ....................29 TALBOT SEMINARY TESTIMONIES ......................................33
9:00 A.M .M TW TF 7:30 A.M . Sun. 9:30 A.M. MTWTF 8:30 A.M . Sun. 8:30 A.M. MTWTF 6:30 P.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M .M TW TF 7:00 P.M . MTWTF 8:30 A.M . MTWTF 9:00 A.M .M TW TF 11:00 A.M. MTWTF 12:30 A.M .M TW TF 8:00 A.M .M TW TF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF 8:00 A.M. MTWTF
Bakersfield-Wasco KAFY CMco-Marysville KHSL Fresno-Dinuba KRDU KWSO
550 1050 1290 1130
KCIB
94.5 (FM)
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1570 1570
107.5 (FM)
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KOXR
910
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59Ò
1080
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1100 1440
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93.1 (FM)
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790 790
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1350
630 800
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Y O U R C H R IS T IA N W I L L Did you know that there is a way to invest in liola lor the training of students while saving cosily estate taies. Ultimalely you may be able to leave mere money for your loved ones. As a Fellowship member you are under no obligations when you write ter informalion or counsel. BIOLA STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT STAFF
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100.3 (FM)
President....................S. H. Sutherland Editor ................ i................. Al Sanders Production .............. Virginia Schwepker Printing ........................... Church Press Published monthly by the Radio Dept. BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Cal. Controlled circulation postage paid at Los Angeles, California.
Providence, Rhode Island WHIB Pueblo-Colorado Springs KFEL Springfield, Ohio WEEC 100.7 (FM) Tuscon, Arizona KAIR
11:30 P.M. MTWTF
1490 8:00 A.M . MTWTF
RADIO SERIES: "THE SECRET OF SPIRITUAL BEAUTY"
hidden wealth
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
T here are several problems which keep us from radiating spiritual beauty in our lives. One specifically is worrying about poverty. No one de lights in being “pinched” or expe riencing poverty. If a person gets to the point where he loves money he will usually .misuse it. There is no virtue in being poor nor is there any spe cial spiritual blessing in being rich. Money can do a lot, however, there are some things it will never be able to accomplish. It can never bring, by itself, true beauty. I visited the home of a wealthy friend and coming up the driveway noted their three beautiful Cadillacs. We happen to drive a pre-’60 “Chevy.” After dinner we went out for a drive in their limousine and as we were driving along I noted that the gas gauge registered empty. Being made aware of that fact, my host con tinued to pass one gas station after another and when asked why he kept going, he simply replied, “I’m looking for a place with green stamps.” “Yes,” I said, “but you may be pushing this thing if you don’t stop, stamps or no stamps.” “That’s okay,” he respond ed jovially, “the stamps are worth it; we need them.” Too bad, with all that wealth, and then to worry over a few
green stamps. How tragic to have money and yet to be poverty stricken. But an even sadder state is to find people who are bankrupt spiritually. By coming to the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour you will be able to com pute your riches more accurately and to see that you actually have vast wealth in things that never deterior ate. This wealth can bring you phys ical, social and even financial bless ing. For example, in Ephesians 1 :7 we read, “In whom we have redemp tion through His blood, the forgive ness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Notice the word “riches,” which can also be translated “wealth.” You may say, “Why I’ve heard that verse a thousand times. What’s new about it?” This wealth which God be stows, enables us to be looked upon favorably by the Lord. This is not simply because it pleases Him to favor us. The yardstick is not our poverty, but rather it is His wealth. Dr. Don ald Grey Barnhouse and I once visited Yellowstone National Park. There are many beautiful things to see in this wonderland of nature. Since I have limited vision I depended upon his eyes most of the time. He would de scribe the marvelous things which could be seen. He would carefully read all the various signs to me. You 3
what they have in reserve. Galatians 2:20 tells us in Paul’s words, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Him self for me.” In the course of the years I have made a number of friends who are wealthy and have some wonderful ma terial things I can enjoy. There are some who have a speed boat, and every summer when I go to New England they take me to their lake home. I de light in speeding across the smooth waters just as though the boat were mine. Now, how do I get to have these privileges? It is because I have come into a close friendship and fellowship with them. They tell me that anything that is theirs is to be considered mine when I am in their home. There is no selfishness but a happy blending of our spirits. This is what God wants us to have. We come to the Lord in our pov erty and He gives us His riches, and together we are joined in Jesus Christ. We might freely translate the verse, “I am crucified to my poverty, but by His wealth, although I am dead, nevertheless I live in Christ; He dwells in me, and the life I now live in my poverty, I live by the wealth of the Son of God who loved me and gave not only His wealth but also Himself for me.” When we begin to live from our re sources rather than from our poverty, we will find just how well off we really are. We will not only be on the re ceiving end of the material wealth but also on the giving end of spiritual wealth. We can use these hidden riches God has given us not because we are deserving but simply because it pleases Him so to do. The little word “according” is the yardstick. Throughout all eternal ages we will enjoy these blessings for we read, “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). 4
see, he was actually illustrating this verse. The yardstick which God uses to bless us is not that by which He measures our poverty but by which He measures His wealth. God blesses us not on the basis of what we need but on the basis of what He can give. In our outward poverty there can be NOT HIS CROSS It is not His cross that is heavy; It is those that our hands have made That hinder us on our journey, On our aching shoulders laid; There is strength for the load He gives us, And balm for the thorn He sends, But none for the needless burdens And none for our selfish ends. We bear a burden of sorrow; We carry a weight of gold; We cling to some treasured idol. And will not loose our hold; We bend beneath troubles and worries; We drag the load of a wrong; And we cry that the cross is heavy, And sigh that the way is long. Let us drop the sin that besets us; Let us cast aside our fears; Let us give our grief to Jesus, And break our pitcher of tears; Let us learn of the Meek and the Lowly Who giveth the weary rest; Let us take His yoke upon us, And walk with Him abreast. For His yoke is easy to carry. And His burden is light in weight; He will do His share of the labor, For He is a true yoke-mate. Are we weary and heavy-ladened? Are we anxious and full of care? That is not the cross of His giving, But the one that we make and bear. great hidden wealth. When we’ be gin to capitalize on this wealth and to use it, it will be reflected in our entire make-up. But having a wealth, many people will want to know how they can “cash in” on their resources and enjoy
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
H as anyone ever said to you, “You’re looking great! Why you’re simply stunning!” When peo ple make such remarks our hearts well up with a little bit of natural pride. Actually, however, those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as per sonal Saviour can always look great. He has made it possible for us to have the beauty of His own wonderful grace reflected in our faces and ra diating in our hearts. In Ephesians 2:10 we read: “For we are his work manship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We frequently will And names of women who are considered the ten best dressed in the country. Doubt less, all of these have dressmakers who design their clothes. Most of us have little opportunity to be in the “limelight,” or to receive any kind of acclaim. God has seen to it spiritu ally, however, that we can be dressed with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. “We are His workman ship.” We could properly translate it by saying we are His masterpieces. The greatest beauty in all the world is the beauty of holiness. This is one of the signs of outward physical beau ty. What a terrible thing it would be to see a person wearing one of the outstanding styles of the day, and yet it was grimy, soiled, and dirty. This would be distasteful to all the senses. ■In Ephesians 1 :4 we read, “Accord ing as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame be fore him in love.” The words “with out blame” bring to mind that we are
to be spotless and unsoiled. One trans lation has it “immaculate.” Luther suggests that this means we are to be absolutely without reproach. We are so to live that no one can bring an accusation against us. One of the important things about wearing the proper attire is that it causes a desire on the part of others to be similarly clothed. This is the missionary aspect of spiritual beauty. As the words “without blame” speak about outward attire, the word “holy” refers to inward attire. “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” If he has a dirty heart, filled with sin and corruption, the man will give outward expression to the same thing. What he is like on the inside will be dis played on the billboard of his daily actions. Before God ever attempts to clean us up outwardly, He knows it is nec essary to clean.us inwardly. That is the reason and necessity for the new birth. In the words of our Lord Jesus Christ we are not to be merely “whitened sepulchers,” we are to be new men and women in Christ Jesus. We are able to do good things not be cause of what we are on our own, but because of what He has made us by His grace. We do good works not to earn our salvation but rather be cause we have been born again. We can create the atmosphere of right eousness which gives others about us a longing for the better things of life. Our blessed Saviour can take the ugly and make it beautiful; however, only He can do it. As they see the Word of God being worked out in our lives it will be a means of glorifying God in the beauty of His holiness. 5
TOO BUSY Too busy to read a chapter a day, Too busy, yes, much too busy to pray, Too busy to think of our wasted past In this whirlwind life which we know won't last. Too busy to speak a word of cheer, To the heart-broken friend, that stands so near; Too busy to help lift his heavy load, That he's trying to carry on life's rough road. Too busy gathering the dollars and dimes, For the worth-while things we haven't time, The devil keeps whispering "Grab your share, Why waste precious hours ini prayer." Perhaps when we reach that pearly- white throne, God will be too busy to call us His own. So let us calm down to a slower pace, Be ready to meet Jesus face to face. BOARD OF ABSENTEES We are the Board of Absentees; We attend our church just about as we please; We judge it will run for itself, you know, And Sundays, we're just too tired to go! We are the Board of Absentees; A t business meetings our chance we seize To tell exactly how things should be run, But we lift not a finger to get them done. We are the board of Absentees; Men and women of all degrees; "Shall we give Up the church? Oh, never, never! Do we go each Lord's day? Well scarcely ever!" We look for a world far better than this, A world of peace and of moderate bliss, A day of right through the Seven Seas, But just now though, we're the Board of Absentees!
TO THE UTTERMOST Save me, Lord, from a heart that's cold. Save me, too, from the curse of gold. Save me from worldly, carnal ways. Save me, Lord, from the snares of praise. Keep me from pride and selfishness. Keep me from greed and slothful ness. Keep me from seeking men to please Keep me from aimless, careless ease. Help me to witness faithfully. Help me to bring lost men to Thee. Help me, Thy sheep to love and feed. Help me, my brother's cause to plead. Cause me to worship and adore. Cause me to love Thee more and more. Cause me to live expectantly. Cause me, Thy coming, Lord, to see. — Don W . Hillis I DO IT UNTO THEE Lord of all pots and pans and things, since I've no time to be A saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with Thee, Or dreaming in the dawnlight, or storming heaven's gates, Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates. Although I must have Martha's hands I have a Mary mind; And when I black the boots and shoes, Thy sandals, Lord, I find. Accept this meditation, Lord, I haven't time for more. Warm all the kitchen with Thy love and light it with Thy peace; Forgive me all my worrying, and make my grumbling cease. Thou who didst love to give men food, in room or by the sea, Accept this service that I do for I do it unto Thee.
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LEARNING n r'H E R E IS A VERY IN TER ESTING COm- -IL mand given in Scripture which is as timely now as in the day in which the Lord Jesus Christ gave it. A num ber of men were fishing one day and a Stranger came into their midst. He observed their activity and declared, “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). The men to whom He spoke did not realize who it was who spoke. Fishing was their business and their means of livelihood, and here came a Stranger whom they had never seen on the shores of Galilee. The Saviour spoke to these professional fishermen and told them to leave what they were doing and to start fishing for men. What a surprising and star tling invitation. The question has often been on my mind, “If I had been one of those fishermen would I have followed the Lord? Why was it that they followed Him?” The account de fies all descriptions of human psychol ogy and behavior patterns. In Luke’s gospel we get a better view as to why they followed so readily. Now have you ever desired to be something more than what you are? Have you ever had a dream, the ful fillment of which you wished could be realized? This is the definite possibil ity when you look at the Lord Jesus Christ. How interestingly the Lord Jesus takes the things of the world and uses them to bring spiritual illus trations. He meant that in every thing we do, whatever our occupa tion might be, we can use it to a spir itual advantage. We can buy up pre cious opportunities to be witnesses for Him. Christ did not come to blame or to judge the world. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. Whatever your occupation (you may never be a fisherman by trade or desire), God will use you to be a soul winner for
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
His glory. If you are a lawyer you can be an advocate for lost men by following the Lord. If you are a teacher then you can encourage others to be nurtured in the admonition of the Word so that they may grow thereby. We are told to “Grow in STIRRING THE EAGLE'S NEST The eagle is a mighty bird Who builds her nest on high, She soars above the lofty peaks Where only God |s nigh. She tells her young, “ It's time to fly— Watch me; this is the way!" They look — but much prefer to wait A more convenient day. She throws one out, but watchfully ■With all a mother's care, Swoops underneath so that she might A landing base prepare. Now, if this fails, she stirs the nest To rob it of allure; Removes a prop, one here one there— So makes it less secure; At times our blessed Lord will stir Our tranquil, little nest. When we ignore Him for the world And think our way is best. He takes a prop out here and there And in our plight, our fear— We turn imploringly to Him To find He's ever near. We try to fly and sometimes fall— But always on His Wing! The God touched soul soars high in flight As hearts trust Christ and sing! grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18). For the architects the Lord would say, “Come ye after me and I will enable you to become build ers of men.” How the world today needs real 7
men, men of integrity and morality, men who know the difference between right and wrong and good and evil. For you wives at home He says, “Fol low me and ye shall become house keepers for me. You have set the daily bread on your family table, now what about the living Bread, the eter nal Word of God?” There are many walks of life represented among our readers, but the one thing God BEATITUDES FOR FRIENDS OF THE AGED Blessed are they that understand My faltering step and palsied hand. Blessed are they that know my ears today Must strain to catch the things they say. Blessed are they who seem to know That my eyes are dim and my wits are slow. Blessed are they that look away When the coffee gets spilled at the table today. Blessed are they with a cheery smile Who stop to chat for a little while. Blessed are they who never say, "You've told that, story twice today." Blessed are they who find the way To bring back memories of yesterday. Blessed are they who make it known That I'm loved and not alone. Blessed are they who ease the days On my journey Home in loving ways. — Esther Mary Walker would have us become is soul winners, or as He told the disciples long ago, “fishers of men.” If we hear His Word and follow Him, then we can be come that which is pleasing in His sight. It will, of course, be a profit to us as well as a blessing to all about us. This is the blessing which the Holy Spirit can bring to us and the new life we can experience.
Biola students from left to right are Skip Mitchell, Prineville, Oregon; Mari lyn Gripp, hong Beach, California; Mark Vincent, Bakersfield, California, and Jeanne Henry, La Habra, Califor nia. They are enjoying the Campus set ting of one of the women’s dormitories. RESTORING LIFE One of the most famous portraits in the world is that of Dante, which is painted on the walls of the bargello at Florence, Italy. For long years the legend of this masterpiece was that it had perished at the hands of ruth less men. No one in the contemporary age had seen it. As his goal in life to find the painting, an art connois seur sought to get the true story. He began in the halls of the palace where tradition said it had been painted. The storeroom walls of the deteriorat ing building were covered with dirty white wash. Carefully removing the old layers of covering, amazingly enough, beautiful lines and colors, long hidden, began to reappear. A t last, the grave face of the historic poet looked out again upon the world. An interest ing discovery, yet this does not begin to compare with the marvelous and miraculous work the Lord Jesus Christ performs in a human heart which through the years has been covered over by sin and unbelief. He delights to bring His divine image through the layers of worldly cares by the touch of His redemptive power. No ivonder Paul wrote, if any man be in Christ, he is made completely new, old ways are a thing of the past and all things are become new. 8
O NE OF the indisputable evidenc es of the truth of God’s Word is that all that Christ promises actually works. This is the reason why, when the Lord told the fishermen who be came His disciples to follow Him, they did. He proved Himself first of all by being a good fisherman. In Luke 5:4 and 5 we read, “Now when he had left (stopped) speak ing, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.” What an interesting thing we have here. The Lord Jesus asked -a fisherman to do something absolutely contrary to his knowledge. On the surface it may have seemed foolish. Why should they try to catch anything? They had already tried every means. But Peter was willing to try again just to see what might happen. Had he not done this, think of the tremendous blessing he would have missed. Each of us needs to learn this les son. too. How frequently we only go by experience which has failed us, '•ather than trusting and heeding the Word of God. Invariably we rob our selves of the riches in blessing which God has for us. How the Lord likes to bring in the miraculous! He wants to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. In the case of Peter and his
friends, they caught so many fish that their boat, and that of the one that had drawn alongside them to help, began to sink. Here were hard-bitten fishermen who knew the tides and cur rents, who had been ready to give up in despair. But now with the Lord’s suggestion they had caught more than they had perhaps ever seen at one time. No wonder they wanted to know more about this Man who had given them such good advice. The Lord Jesus looked like an ordinary man to them. One of the greatest things you and I need to learn as Christians is to say to the Lord, “Nevertheless, at thy word we will do it.” How we need to come to the place of complete obedi ence and surrender to the Master. Only here will we find true peace and blessing. Here we will see the ordi nary become the miraculous. By way of a parenthesis, let me just suggest that these were not “ignorant” fishermen. I don’t know where this idea comes from. Doubt less they were businessmen who had a fleet of small ships. We find that they left their service with their hired servants. They were perhaps consid ered prosperous in this type of occupa tion. But the story doesn’t end here. Con cerning the load of fish, the Bible states, “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, De part from me; for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord” (Luke 5:8). See how quickly 9
he rightly forgets the miracle and j recognizes Christ for what He truly is. Similarly, the only way we can j appreciate what we really are is to see ourselves in the light of the Lord j Jesus Christ. The philosopher Plato said, “Know thyself.” But Calvin rightly declared, “Know God and then i you will know yourself.” Here is the illustration of that. Peter was saying, i “I’m the fish. I need to be saved and j caught in the Gospel net.” The secret of this great blessing i came through obedience. When we are willing to obey the Word, although the living Word is not with us as He was with the fishermen, then great blessing will attend our way. One of our hymns has put it well, When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, For there’s no other way God has His own perfect plan to reveal to us. No wonder when the Lord told them, “Follow Me,” they did just that. They were not blindly fol lowing a stranger for they knew that He had something they needed. The Lord Jesus never invited people to follow Him until He justly had earned the right to give the command. So often we try to witness for the Sav iour before we have earned the right to follow Him. May our lives so com mend us, because of our fruitfulness, that, as we tell the Gospel story, people will believe and be converted. * It is not how much we have of God, but rather how much does God have of us. * * * You will never come up to God's expecta tions until you come down at Jesus' feet. * * * An upright man can never be a down right failure. To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey. * *
IF JESUS CAME TODAY If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two, If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best. And you'd keep assuring Him you were glad to have Him there, That serving Him ip your home was joy beyond compare. But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor? Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been? Would you turn off the T V and hope He hadn't heard, And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud, hasty word? Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? And I wonder, if the Saviour spent a day or two with you, Would you go right on doing the things you always do? Would your family conversation keep its usual pace? Or would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you read, And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed? Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends, Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with great relief, when He at last was gone? It might be interesting to know the things that you would do If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you!
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A fter we have made the effort to discover the secret to true spirit ual beauty, it is necessary for us to keep on. This is what a successful dietor knows. Once the unwan t ed weight is shed, he will need to con tinue his effort or he will lose even more ground. The Christian will need to forsake his past, his desires, and his easy ways while learning to discipline him self. To keep fit we must emphasize the fact that it is a case of forsaking the old and putting on the new. When the Lord Jesus said “Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men,” we discover what it cost His disciples: “And straightway they forsook their nets and followed him.” They made a clean break from the past and turned from what they had known previously. How about you? Have you left your “nets,” your old way of life? This is where our great problem comes in. Too many people try to have a foot in both worlds, and a person cannot straddle earth and heaven in this way without meeting dire results. It is physically impossible to walk two different ways at the same time. The disciples de cided to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and in order to do this, they forsook all. We have another illustration of this in the life of the apostle Paul. Before He came to a saving knowledge of the Lord, he had much about which he could boast. As an outstanding Jew, a brilliant scholar, and a strict sepa ratist, he could glory in his religious position. But, meeting the Saviour, he decided to forget the past and to look only at the future. Listen to his testi mony, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philip- pians 3:7, 8). He found, even as did the fishermen of the Gospels, that there was nothing to be compared with Christ. 11
Radio Series: "The Secret of Spiritual Beauty"
KEEPING FIT by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
What does the Lord Jesus Christ mean to you today? Is He merely a concept or an historical figure? Or is He your living Saviour and Lord? You must make this decision for your self and you must do it before your life on earth ends. That a decision must be made is evident from Christ’s own words, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat thew 16:25, 26). This crystalizes the issue for us. What do we really love? Do we love ourselves and merely ma terial things? Does everything revolve around us? If this is true, then, on the authority of God’s Word, we are headed for destruction and total loss. This is what is known as spiritual bankruptcy. But by losing our lives in Him we really gain true life, a life that never ends. St. Augustine declared, “Make me a captive Lord, then I shall truly be free.” How wonderful it would be if everywhere we go, and if everything we say and do, would remind people of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the purpose for our spiritual beauty. This is why we are here on earth, that we might be witnesses for Him showing the world the truth of God through redeemed lives. God wants us to have His beauty to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost world. You do not need to use eloquent words when you truly radiate the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ. * * * Idleness is a sin with which the devil likes to tempt us, but something of which he is never guilty. * * * Consecration is not giving anything to God, but rather taking our hands off of that which already belongs to Him. The greatest fault is to be conscious of none. * * * He who walks with God cannot carelessly run with the devil.
Biola students learn the handiwork of God through courses in science taught in the College.
Time out from studies for relaxation and refreshment in the Biola snack shop. DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN He has a mind and knows it. He has a will and shows it. He sees his way and goes it. He draws a line and toes it. He has a chance and takes it. Sees a friendly hand and shakes it. Knows a rule and never breaks it. I f there is no time, he makes it. He loves the truth, stands by it, nor ever tries to shy it. He owes a debt and pays it. He sees the path Christ trod and for strength grips the hand of God. * * * Do we give according to our means, or does God mean to us according to what we give?
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H OW DO
I t may be w ith you , as is true in the case of many of us when we first discover true spiritual beauty, and when it becomes a part of our lives, that we need to know to what use it can be placed in order to do the most good. There is a practical ana logy in the physical realm, for the reason people strive for human beauty is that they may call attention to them selves. This, of course, is basically pride. We all want to be favorably accepted in the society in which we travel. And while it may sound strange on the surface, the reason we strive for spiritual beauty is also to draw attention to ourselves, but for a dif ferent reason. There is no vanity in volved here. Since the Lord Jesus Christ is in heaven, it is our obligation to repre sent Him here on earth. This is the reason why each of us as believers should desire to be conformed to the image of the Saviour. This is the only way many people are ever going to know Him. If all they have to see of Him is in us, what kind of im pression will they have? We are the agents of the Lord Jesus Christ rep resenting Him here on earth until He returns. In addition to calling atten tion to ourselves, it is, therefore, in variably. true that we will call atten tion to Him. In the great high priestly prayer of our divine Lord, recorded in John
17, we find these words, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (verse 18). This means that the Sav iour is sending us on a mission to make contacts for Him. Christ’s pur pose in coming to earth was to seek out the1souls of men and to redeem all those who would believe on Him through His sacrificial death. We need to be adequately prepared for this important task by putting on our available spiritual attire (Ephesians 6:11-18). It is strange to me, there fore, to see so many evangelicals flee ing from the world. Now, I am not talking about so-called worldly pleas ures and the importance of separation. But with our strictness over secular and spiritual we have neglected our commission and have hampered our effectiveness f o r th e Lord Jesus Christ. Spirituality cannot exist in a vac uum. The Saviour didn’t pray that we would be delivered “out of” the world, but that we would have an effective testimony in it. Have you ever stopped to realize that the Gospel is to be lived in two dirty places. The two are the world and the flesh. This is what Paul means in Galatians 2:20 when he says “Christ liveth in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh. . . .” When one stops to think of what he is personally, there can be no doubt
of the fact that the flesh or the old man is soi led and dirty in his thoughts, attitudes, and actions, hu manly speaking. Yet God has chosen to set up residence in our flesh. The miracle is that the Saviour can live in us and yet not be soiled by us. We are asked to perform the same miracle in the sense that we are to live in a dirty world and yet to remain clean. No wonder we so desperately need the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us. This is why Christ continues in His prayer, “Sanctify them through thy tru th : thy Word is truth” (verse 17). Sanctify means “to separate.” He is praying that we may be kept from that which would soil and tarnish us. God can and will keep us from the taint of the world if we will let Him. Only then can we be truly effective witnesses for Him and have an effect upon the world for His glory with our spiritual beauty. Look at yourself in the mirror. Are you ready to meet others today as a testimony for your Lord? GRACE AMID GLOOM One of the world’s greatest com posers, who because of his deafness, might have had a right to shrink back and hide from public view, declared, “I t is the hope I have of heaven with Christ that makes me carry on.” In later years his biographer wrote, “With the shadows of the dark valley closing around him, he could look to the land of promise beyond and with a mighty triumph shout and sing of the joy and victory which surely awaited him.” A man who amid physi cal defects and suffering was made strong through the power of God. His name, Ludwig von Beethoven. The Lord Jesus Christ declared, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weak ness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Do you take pleasure in infirmi ties, in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake? Then to day, you will know that when you are weak, then are you strong.
EXCUSES FOR CHURCHES Every minister is naturally inter ested in increasing church attendance. One enterprising pastor ran this in teresting check list in one of his bul letins. A t the top were the words, “I cannot attend church services be cause.” Then he followed it with a list of some reasons or excuses which are frequently given. Each one was to check the proper spaces. Pertinent ly, at the bottom of the list, the added suggestion was, “Please tear this out and mail it to God." No doubt the people got the point. How easily we can think of other things when it comes time to fellowship in God’s house. A little girl squirmed as the preacher seemed to be a little longer than usual. She told her mother, “May be this seems longer than an hour on television because it’s not so interest ing." Is it reaUy a case of not being interested in God’s message? Do we go only because we know it is the right thing to do, or because a loved one has insisted? Is it because we truly love Christ? The Word of God tells us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but so much the more, as ye see the day' (of Christ’s return) ap proaching” (Hebrews 10:25). “I came to your church last Sunday, I walked up and down the aisle, I noticed your seat was vacant,” Said the Master with a kindly smile. “Yes, I was at home,” Some folks up northern way Drove down for the week end visit, so we stayed in the house all day. For I had an awful headache, I had a roast in the pan, And I overslept this morning, but I go whenever I can.” The Master gazed at me sadly as He was about to speak, “My child," He replied, “are there not six other days in the week?" I saw I had grieved my Master as I slowly turned away And I vowed He’d not find me absent again on His holy day.” 14
Q . Woodburn, Oregon — “In Psalm 103:3 we read, ‘Who forgiveth all thine iniquities and healeth all thy diseases.’ Why do most fundamental churches accept the first part of this verse, but reject or have reservations on the latter part ? Does this not state definitely that healing is in the atone ment just as is salvation?” A. The reason is right in the passage itself. The Scripture is talking about blessing God’s name for His benefits which are not primarily material bene fits. Notice the statements, “thine in iquities,” “redeem thy life from de struction,” “crown thee with loving kindness.” The latter is not an actual material, visible crown. These dis eases are basically those which are spiritual. If this verse taught that it meant literally physical illnesses, how and by what reason would you explain the fine Christian people who are saved and yet who are still ill? Can we say that because they are not healed physically their souls are not redeemed spiritually? That would be a tremendous charge to make against many of God’s children and against God’s Word as well. In Isaiah 53:5 we read, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Many people quote this verse saying, “That means physical healing.” Then just a few words be
fore that we find, “The chastisement of our peace is upon him.” This would then mean that a believer, who is truly saved, is never to be found in a state of war, or in a country where strife and fighting exists. The only thing this could mean, however, is spiritual peace. The same is true with healing. Paul writes to the Corin thians, Christ who was rich became poor for our sakes that we through his poverty might become rich. Here he is not talking about monetary, economic, financial riches at all. We must .find that God’s truth is revealed throughout His blessed Word as Scrip ture stands with Scripture. Q . Goldendale, Washington — “Is it right to wash, iron, have parties and so forth, on the Lord’s Day? Many here and elsewhere go to the movies and other entertainment. I’ve always felt that one day, at least, should be ob served in worship of God." A. Certainly that is true for there should be one day set apart for the worship of God. We need also to re mind ourselves that if we had more Christianity and lived more like the Lord Jesus Christ each day of the week and less piously (self styled) on Sunday, our testimonies would even be more worthwhile. No one can give a categorical statement as to whether it is right to wash, iron or to have other activities on the Lord’s Day. There are circumstances when it is
Q . Watsonville, California — "I would like help on I John 3:9.” A. This reads, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he can not sin, because he is born of God.” There may be a misunderstanding in what the apostle John is indicating. He tells us in the first chapter that, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” The writer proves at the very outset that all human beings have a sinful nature and repeatedly commit sinful acts. The Bible does teach us, however, and we know from experience, that a believer does not commit sin as a rule of life and practice. Here it refers to a constant committing, habitually and uninterruptedly, of sin. It is not true with a Christian for the seed of God’s Word is within him, and he is “born of God.” In I John 2:1 we read, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” John is saying, “I am writing you these things so that you do not go on living the way the unsaved world does; that you do not go on habitually living a life of sin. But if any man (meaning Christian man) sin (that word in the original means ‘commits an act of sin’) we have a means of forgiveness through Christ.” While we are in the body we do commit acts of sin. Q . Ashland, Oregon — “Why did Jesus have so many critics and enemies? I t seems to me that with His divine nature, everyone would have loved Him.” A. Our Lord Himself said, “Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.” Jesus called Himself the “Light of the world.” The heart of man is desperately wicked and actually enjoys sinful activities. Since our Lord was the perfection and personification of all that is good, righteous and holy, He had many ene mies. Satan hates Him because Satan 16
Biola students enjoy athletics. This Sep tember a major in physical education will be offered to meet a growing need in an area where a testimony for Christ can be very effective. necessary to do some things we would rather not do. Any arbitrary activi ties which can be arranged for other times should certainly be done this way. The Lord’s Day should be set aside for worship of the heavenly Father through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. To begin to legislate, however, and to say that one can do this and cannot do that, tends to make the whole Christian life a mat ter of legal bondage. Christ has set us free! Concerning the question on motion pictures, Biola has a policy that as a school we cannot endorse the com mercial theater. We ask our students to sign a statement that they will not attend moving pictures during the time they are enrolled in school. Even the people within the industry admit that pictures made today are basically designed to appeal to the depraved character of people’s morals and the baser nature of human beings. There is plenty to do that is worthwhile, noble, upright and uplifting in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ with out putting money into the coffers of this type of entertainment.
is an evil being. All those who follow the devil hate the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the reason that the cross has become an offense to the world, be cause of the righteousness of God revealed in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the Saviour were here today there would doubtless be many who would violently hate Him and even seek to do away with Him. Q . Los Angeles, California — “Please tell us the name of David’s mother. Isn’t she called the handmaiden of the Lord?” A. We find no place in Scripture where David’s mother is mentioned or that she is called “the handmaiden of the Lord.” This phrase comes from the Gospels and is used in connection with the mother of our blessed Sav iour, the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:38). Q . Denver, Colorado — “I certainly want to do as the Psalmist has suggested, ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable unto thee.’ How does one actually meditate ?’’ A. There are several ways that would prove profitable. First of all, in every spare moment “mull”, over the truths that are found in the Word of God. This is one very vital reason why Christians should be committing as many Scripture references as possi ble to memory. If you wonder why you may have other thoughts it may be because you have not saturated your mind with God’s truth. Then, make sure that you do not allow words to fall from your lips which would bring discredit or dishonor upon the name of the Lord. The same is true with our acts and deeds. Meditation reminds one of the way in which the Old Testament priests entered the holy place. They went into this sacred section to replace the fire upon the altar of incense every morn ing. Then all day long the smoke from the altar filled the tabernacle. In the evening they went in once again to replenish the fire. All night long the sweet aroma could be smelled. The
The Biola student quartet is travelling hundreds of miles this summer. They are (from left to right) Mark Shore, Rich ard Buhler, Lyle Jacobsen, and Charles Stahl. altar represents the prayer life of an individual. If we go before the Lord in the morning and our hearts are made right before Him, there will eminate from us a sweet fragrance of Christ. We do not need to bow our heads or to maintain a certain physi cal posture in order to meditate, but whenever and wherever possible dur ing the day we can turn to Him so that some truth from the Word will come into our mind and we will be able to think about that. Q . Kansas City, Kansas — “What is the attitude of Christians toward other religions? I understand that there is good in most all religions. Isn’t that true?” A. There is only one way whereby a person may be saved. That is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The great religions of the world have been pictured as man groping around in the dark, blindly trying to reach God. Christianity, on the other hand, is tru ly pictured as God reaching down to bring man back to Himself. Between the two concepts there is a world, yes, even an eternity, of difference. There is nothing good in any other religion that is not found more adequately and explicitly expressed in Christian ity. It is a lack of faith and confidence in the atoning work of Jesus Christ oh Calvary’s cross which makes all other religions false. We are to go to the other religions of the world and tell 17
them that His Gospel is the only way whereby a person may be saved (John 14:6). The Bible rightly reminds us that, humanly speaking, all of our good is as filthy rags. Q . San Francisco, California— “What does the Jewish religion teach about eter nal life and the resurrection of the body?" A. In the teachings of the conserva tive, orthodox and reformed Jews there are only very general statements concerning eternal life. We find some vague references about the world which is to come as well as paradise. These are more ethereal and aesthetic. Immortality in Judaism refers to the soul alone. Any resurrection of the body is a step down. Jewish theolo gians were greatly impressed and in fluenced by pagan Greek philosophy. Paul had that to contend with in I Corinthians 15, where he argues for the resurrection of the human body before he sets forth the resurrection of Christ. There is no formula of doctrine in Judaism such as we have in the Christian faith. This is because they only have part of the picture. It is only when one has the New Testa ment complementing that which is seen in the Old that there is a full and beautiful presentation of this or any other doctrine. Q . Phoenix, Arizona — “What does it mean in Galatians 6:11 when Paul says that he lorites with a large let ter? Galatians is only six chapters long.” A. In the Greek the word for “a let ter” is actually in the plural. He used large letters because he seems to have had a severe case of eye trouble. Gen erally, he dictated his letters. In the letter to the Galatian Christians, how ever, he was so wrought up and in dignant at the things which were tak ing place that he wrote it in extra large letters. Q . Salem, Oregon ■ — “Will you please explain Acts 21:25 which states, ‘As
Biola School of Missionary Medicine stu dents work in the wards of the Los Angeles County General Hospital, one of the largest hospitals west of the Mississippi. touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood and from what is strangled, and from for nication.’ What does ‘from blood and what is strangled’ mean?” A. The words in Acts 21:25 are a faithful recording of what the council of Jerusalem had decided when the question came up concerning what basis Gentile believers could be re ceived into the church. It was not necessary to enter into Jewish cere monies or rites (keeping of the sab bath and circumcision). The largest segment of believers in the church was Jewish. They had been taught in the Mosaic Law and custom was second nature to them. It was habitual never to enter into any kind of a situation where they would sacrifice anything to idols. They were entirely monotheistic and wouldn’t eat anything with blood. So here it is a matter of conscience and standing in the way of someone who felt there was no problem with eating anything he might desire. Paul 18
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