POISONED PAINT Have you ever felt uncomfortable around an individual with whom you have had misunderstandings? Similar ly, frequently we lose the victory in our Christian lives just simply because we’re out of fellowship with the Lord. It may be that there is some sin we have failed to confess and to forsake. Legend tells the story of a wicked queen who was hated by her subjects be cause of the oppressive bondage in which she kept them. Although she had everything anyone could want, her evil heart was bent on accumulating more. She was told by the court magician who knew her selffish ways that she would have to kiss a certain picture for 100 days in order to receive the fulfillment of her wish. It was a sin ister trick, for the picture’s paint con tained a subtle poison which stained the woman’s lips with every salutation. Little by little her golden tresses began turning white. Her eyes became dim and her strength ebbed. Yet she had this sinful obsession which continued to force her on. With waning strength, she carried on the suicidal kisses until she died in agony of body and soul. So often men and women foolishly yield themselves to the sorcery of sin l De spite the many warnings of Scripture and the earnest pleadings of the Holy Spirit, they persist in turning way from God to that which eludes them. They lack peace and contentment in life. The soul is poisoned and dis traught. Remember the clear wa/rning from the Bible that sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
pray that the Lord will remove the scales of unbelief from their eyes. Once a so-called higher critic was speaking in a derogatory fashion about the Lord. He scoffed at the notion of God’s creating man from the dust of the earth. Listening to the blasphemous remarks was a gentleman who had ex perienced the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the atheist com pleted his discourse, the Christian de clared forcefully, “I’m not going to en deavor to discuss scientifically the cre ation of man. But there’s one thing I’ll tell you for sure. One day God stooped down to this town and picked up the dirtiest bit of clay he could find. He breathed on it by His Holy Spirit, and a complete transformation took place. A wicked wretch was made into a man who hated his former sins and loved the God who delivered him." Looking squarely at the unbeliever, he testified kindly, “I know, sir, because I was that bit of mud!” Listen to the Psalmist David who affirms likew ise, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” TO TESTIFY It’s been interesting to see how dif ferent political parties have emerged over the years, even as have our vari ous religious denominations. As an ex ample, consider the word “Protestant.” The title might make someone think that we are to protest or to fight. In actuality, the term is not negative but rather positive. Keep in mind that the English word protest comes from the two Latin words pro and testare which means by translation to testify for. As the word applied to members of the original movement of the reformation, it signified those who bore witness to their absolute faith in Christ. It tes- 27 You cannot kindle a fire for Christ in another heart until it is first burning brightly within your own.
It is when faithfulness Is most diffi cult that it is also most necessary.
CHRIST’S CREATION We’re always thrilled to receive let ters from those who have found Christ as Saviour as a result of listening to the radio. Once in a while, however, we’ll get a note from someone who scorns the Word of God, wanting to to have nothing to do with the Bible. This kind of person usually refuses to sign his name. All we can do is to
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