AUGUST, 1969
WITH JULY RADIO FEATURES
BIOLA HOUR
August, 1969 / Volume 9 / Number 8
M O N TH LY PUBLICATION O F THF BIOLA FELLOWSHIP
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CONTENTS SEEKING THE LOST .............. 3 STRENGTH FOR THE INNER MAN ................ 5 FILLED WITH THE FULNESS 6 LORD OF ALL ........................... 8 THE SPIRITUAL BIRTH ........ 9 Stanley Collins PANEL DISCUSSIONS...............11 PARABLES AND PEARLS . . . .16 STUDIES IN PROPHECY........23 Lloyd T. Anderson ON THIS MONTH'S COVER A new brochure has been completed concerning Baccalaureate Nursing Edu cation at Biola. Those interested should write to the Chairman of The Depart ment of Nursing, Biola College, 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, Calif. 90638. Pictured is (1. to r.) Irene Haberer, stu dent nurse from Northridge, Calif., Janet Brown, R.N., B.S., from Whittier, Calif., Julia Snow, R.N., from Seattle, Wash., and Joanne Thiesen Beckwith, student nurse, from Kingsburg, Calif.
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by Rev. Stanley Collins
SEEKINGTHE £ oa 1 O ne OP the MOST penetrating and descriptive comments concern ing our Saviour is to be found in Luke 19:10 wherein we have the glo rious declaration, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” This represents a complete and yet simple statement concerning the purpose of our Lord in coming in to this world. Many volumes have been written explaining why Jesus came, but here He tells us Himself in ten succinct words, all of which are single syllables. They give us the complete picture. The background here is in the Saviour’s journey dur ing the last week of His life on earth. He is to enter Jerusalem, via Jericho. The first individual about whom we read is the poor, blind man, Barti- maeus, who sat by the wayside beg ging. They told him when the Sav iour went past. We see the faith of Bartimaeus in that he seems to ig nore the name of Jesus of Nazareth, selecting rather a Messianic title, “Son of David.” Although the crowd tells him to keep quiet, he simply souts the more loudly. Here was a man who knew what he wanted and needed. He didn’t need anybody to tell him that he was blind, and that he desired his sight above all else. Living in perpetual darkness, he had longed for the day when his eyes might be opened. You remember that one of the things that was promised when the Messiah came was that He would give sight to the blind. There are many things Barti maeus might have asked for. He could have asked for money to help him along the way. But, you know, it’s most significant that that’s the one thing for which nobody ever asked Christ. Bartimaeus rightly recognized that if he could once get
his eyes opened, then everything else in life would be right. Immediately Jesus said, “Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee.” This is ex actly what happened. Just think! The first person Bartimaeus saw with his new sight was the Lord Jesus Christ. Immediately he followed the Saviour. The way of the Lord was now to be the way of Bartimaeus. He had been just a blind, wayside begger. Now he had become a follower. The next event is not a question of a man’s seeking Christ, but rather of Christ’s seeking a man. Zacchaeus really didn’t have a specific need. He simply wanted to see who this Stranger was. He was, of course, small of stature. With plenty of initi ative, he found himself a tree which was easy to climb and where there was plenty of foliage to hide him. He had his grandstand seat all worked out. Jesus came along to the spot, calling him by name, “Zacchae us, make haste and come down, for today I must abide at thy house.” Scripture tells us of his ready and willing response. I’ve always had the feeling that he immediately fell out of the tree with sheer shock. This is a lovely story. Some people evidently think that if one receives the Lord, it’s the beginning of misery so that you’ll never be able to smile again. That’s entirely wrong. The happiest people on earth are those who know and love the Lord. Here had been a grasping, greedy businessman, get ting all the taxes he could for the Roman power, all the while making himself a “pile” on the side. He was probably disliked by all the other people. Christ emphatically told him, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Barti maeus knew that he was lost and 3
cried to the Lord for help. Zacchaeus didn’t realize his sad condition until the Saviour had called him. All of us are in the one group or the other. Maybe you have everything in this life all figured out, but without Christ you are really helpless and hopeless in this life as well as for the life to come. Do you know the truth of being lost? Until you do, you’ll never know the wonder of be ing found! He waits to come into your heart, your life, your home. Yes, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
While there may be little wrong with having nothing to say, the problem comes with those people who insist on saying it. The hardest thing a child faces these days is to learn good manners without seeing any.
Child care is one of those things that is best learned from the bottom up.
The man who walks close to God will leave no room for the devil to come in between.
More than 200 young people were graduated from Biota College and Talbot Theological Seminary at the June 1 commencement exercises. The honorable John B. Anderson, Congressman from Illinois, gave the commencement address. More than 3400 parents and friends gathered for the significant event which was held out of doors on the oval near the entrance to the campus. 4
STRENGTH FOR THE
by
Rev . Stanley Collins
j In n su i T J la n
ing out, bit by bit, whether we like it or not. Yet, though the outward man perishes, the inward man is be ing renewed. This is all done accord ing to the riches of God’s grace and glory. This we find in great abun dance. It is one thing to give out of one’s abundance but far more won derful to give out of His grace. As is the case with our Lord, we are to give according to His riches in glory. This is also shown us in Philippians 4:19. To dwell means that our h e a r ts become Christ’s abiding place. Some of you have cottages in the mountains, ca bins by the lake, houses down at the sea. You visit there, as vacation places. It is not where you dwell but where you visit. Christ desires not just to visit, but actually to dwell in us as His permanent abode. This means that Christ may be at home in your heart by faith, and you in turn are rooted and grounded in His love. Look at the dimensions of love: so long, so high, so deep, so wide. It cannot be measured, but that cer tainly doesn’t keep us'from enjoying the experience of it. We rest in the wonder of it all. This love certainly passes all human knowledge. What a matchless prayer not only for the church at Ephesus, but also for our own hearts. Oh, that we might be this kind of person, knowing in our hearts and lives, through the Spirit, the wonderful love of Christ! May it be so for His name’s sake.
I T is wonderful to study the im portant prayers we find in the Bi ble. Such is the case of one by Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21: “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Fa ther of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, ac cording to the power that worketh in us. Unto Him be glory in the church of Christ throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” How great a love did the Lord place in Paul’s heart for all people! He want ed these believers to be strengthened with might by God’s Spirit in the inner man. When one is born of God, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell with in the heart. There is a witness with your spirit that you are a child of God. The One who inspired the Word of God, becomes your Teacher. He is also your Comforter. This doesn’t mean that His ministry is to save us from every problem that may come along. The meaning of Comforter is that He will feed strength into us. Where do you need to be strong? The real need is inside; we must be strong in faith. You can’t get this at the supermarket, or buy it from some gymnastic course. All of us are get ting older on the outside. We’re wear
Nothing has caused the world so much trouble as too much intelligence and too little wisdom.
FILED WITH THE
by Rev. Stanley Collins
JulmM
A s we study Scripture, we find such blessed promises that pro vide a marvelous benediction upon our lives. Such a glorious poem of praise is found in Ephesians 3:20 and 21, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” What a tremen dous word precedes this in Paul’s prayer that believers may be filled with all the fulness of God. Of course, there is a fulness of God that belongs only to Him. This is abso lute sinless perfection. When we are with Him, and know Him, we shall be like Him. There is a wonderful sense, however, in which we may be filled to our capacity with the fulness of God. To me this statement, “Now unto Him who is able,” is probably one of the greatest statements in Scripture. Just think of the magni tude of this promise! He is right now, present tense, able. There are so few people in the world who are able to do much of anything. Have you ever gone to a meeting where the pianist has failed to show up? Someone has gotten up to ask for volunteers. That’s just asking for trouble. The person who usually will come forward, will be someone who plays in New Testament manner. That is their right hand never knows what their left hand is doing! The end result is absolutely devastating. After the service is over, someone is bound to come up and say, “You should know this lady here who is a wonderful pianist.” You almost feel like saying, “Why didn’t she come up when we asked for volunteers ?” Here was one who was terribly willing but 6
not talented enough, while there was somebody else who could do the job but who was embarrassed or unwill ing. Very often the able and the will ing are not the same people, Not so with God, for He is always able and is ever willing! One of the interesting things in life is the many castles in the air that we all dream about. We make so many wonderful plans of all the things we are going to do. The prob lem is that all too seldom are they brought to fruition. The tragedy is that we have such great ideas, but we don’t have the ability to carry them out. Our God is not only able to plan, but also to do. He’s given ample evidence in crea tion , providence, preservation, salvation, and, as a matter of fact, in everything He does He’s got the whole world in His hand. In relation to our praying, God is able not only to do what we ask but also what we even dare to think. Ask or think so that your thinking may be accompanied by your asking. We are never able to ask too much, or anything that is too difficult. You can’t think anything too great. Our God is infinite. We need have no fear when we come to God in prayer. The one thing we have to be sure of is that we are asking according to His will. But Paul doesn’t just leave this here, as wonderful as it is. There’s nothing we can ask or think that’s beyond the power of the Lord. This is the most wonderful encourage ment to pray, is it not? As the hymn- writer put it, “Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Some times we are asking to the best of our knowledge and ability, but God
knows that our asking isn’t enough for the situation. He doesn’t give according to what we ask. So often we don’t ask big enough. Too many of us have a very small conception of God. What a tremendous reser voir of power and grace we have in Christ! To enter into this blessed relationship in our prayer life, let us come to our God who wants to fill us with His fulness. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think! FIRST THINGS FIRST In a day when small statistics Urge the church to higher goals, Shall we, in quest of numbers. Counting heads, neglect men’s souls? Without multiplied committees Minus consecrated hearts, And every means and method This modern age imparts. Shall we offer entertainment To dry a nation’s tears When crime and wars and weari ness Becloud the air with fears? What can a social program Which crowds each night and day Accomplish, if our churches Are too occupied to pray? Does not our Babel-business . . . The Spirit’s name profane? Can we employ the tools of time And reap eternal gains? Let us pause, discern the needs of men . . . Heart-hunger, Spirit’s thirst . . . And, by the grace of God, declare We shall place first things first!
It is far better to get ahead than to get even. There is no indigestion worse than that of having to eat your own words. If you are on the rocks, don’t despair, be a lighthouse. If it goes in one ear and out the mouth, it’s gossip. NO OCCUPATION She rises up at break of day, And through her tasks she races. She cooks the meal as best she may And scrubs the children's faces. While school books, lunches, rib bons, too, All need consideration, And yet the census man insists She has “no occupation." When breakfast dishes all are done, She bakes some cookies, maybe; She cleans the rooms up one by one, With one eye watching baby. The mending pile she then attacks By way of variation, And yet the census man insists She has “no occupation." She irons for a little while, Then presses pants for daddy; She welcomes with a cheery smile Returning lass and laddie. A hearty dinner next she cooks . . . No time for relaxation; And yet the census man insists She has "no occupation.” For lessons that the children learn The evening scarce is ample. To "mother, dear!” they always turn For help with each example. In grammar and geography She finds her relaxation; And yet the census man insists She as "no occupation.”
7
O NE op the most powerful ser mons recorded in the Bible is that found in Acts 2:14-36 as Peter speaks with power on the day. One verse, the 36th particularly, occu pies our attention. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” This was the prime mes sage of this very hour, as well as being the need of every believing heart today. Our Lord should have His rightful place, as Lord in your heart, in your life. It’s not much use going to conferences and conventions singing heartily such songs as, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” un less it is true in our own beings. Otherwise it’s just so much hypoc risy. So many people are not getting the best out of the Christian life. The reason is simply because they don’t put their best into it. They have never given the Lord complete con trol. Any part of your life you don’t let the Saviour have will mean that there will be trouble ahead. We live in a day when our Lord Jesus Christ is constantly being downgraded in the eyes of men. The Saviour was in deed the Son of Man. He is the only perfect Man, the only sinless Man. Although He came into the world a Babe, He was still Christ, the Lord. All the way to Calvary, with its deg radation suffered before His death, He was Christ, the Lord. Never for get that God made Him Lord and Christ. He has been given a name which is above every name, “That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow . . . And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Fa ther.” He shall reign King of kings, 8
Lord of lords forever and ever. We all look forward with joy to that day. But what about today? He de sires to be Lord of our lives just now. There is no question about Christ’s Lordship in glory. The an gels do His bidding. He is in the highest place that heaven affords. He is Lord of all in nature. He evidenced this upon the earth when He quieted the waves of the sea. The wild beasts were near Him in the wilderness and they harmed Him not. Think of the occasion on which He changed the water into wine; when He spoke, disease departed from human bodies; when with a word He raised Lazarus from the dead. Scripture declares, “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” “By Him all things consist (hold together).” Keep in mind that God is still on the throne. No matter what the nations or their leaders may propose, God is still in control. One day every knee to Him shall bow and every tongue confess Him Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yet, He has redeemed us by His blood. He has bought us for Him self. We are not our own; we have been purchased by an inestimable price. It’s in this area where His Lordship must be seen. Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life? Does He have control of your finances? How about your time, ability and talent? Is He the Lord of your home? In concern for your social compan ions, is He Lord of all ? Does He have the pre-eminence in all things? Will you this day remember that Christ is Lord? He wants complete control of your life. Whatever you have, whatever you possess whatever you own, is no longer yours, but it’s His.
by Rev. Stanley Collins
THE
Spiritual BIRTH
O NE of the most moving accounts of our Lord’s earthly ministry concerns His experience with the Jewish leader, Nicodemus. This is found in John 3 and clearly shows the unmistakable importance of be ing born again. Perhaps no portion of Scripture is more explicit on the message of salvation, coupled with an outline of God’s love and grace in the sending of His only begotten Son to this earth for our redemption. Some preachers make the point that Nicodemus was a coward, based on the fact that he came to Jesus by night. This is not true. Our Lord was in Jerusalem at the feast day. There were many who already be lieved on Him. He was not easy to reach. Thousands of people were present. Nicodemus is really to be commended for taking the initiative. He was a member of the Sanhedrin which was the highest Jewish coun cil in the land. He had the correct religious upbringing from the time of his youth. He’d been educated in the best rabbinical schools. He knew all the fundamentals of his law. He was concerned about the things of God and had an inquiring mind. His mind was not closed to the subject of eternal things. He had decided to find out for himself what it was about Christ that had caused so much interest. So many people today sit in the background accepting second hand things as to what they are told about Christ. They’ve never both ered to find out for themselves. Nico demus is to be commended. His introduction was very polite and courteous. Jesus went right to the heart of Nicodemus’ needs, “Veri ly, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God.” Nicodemus never questioned that statement but rather wanted to know more. “How can a man be born when he is old? The only birth I know is a physical one. There is no retrogression in life, is there?” Jesus Christ clearly showed him that He was speaking of the spiritual birth, that of the Spirit. Without these two, no man will ever enter the kingdom of God. One is just as necessary as the other. The two births are not the same. One is not born of the Spirit the day he is born of the flesh. Christian baptism is not that of which our Saviour was speak ing. The water is not the ordinance we know today as baptism but rather refers to the Word of God. Here was a very religious, upright and honor able man. He was one to whom peo ple looked with respect and admira tion. You can imagine the surprise when Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Christ was pointing out that the new birth is a mystery and a miracle. While we may know the di rection in which the wind is coming, no one can actually see it. We know the day we are born into the kingdom of God, but we don’t know all the processes that have led to our own new birth. Our Lord not only said to Nicodemus, “You m u s t be bo rn again,” but He also declares the same to you. “Have you been bom again?” Unless you have, you will not see the kingdom of God. This does not depend upon religious observance, but rather your personal relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ. Come in surrender and repentance, ready to receive by faith into your heart the Saviour. This new birth is a miracle accomplished by God Himself. You can become a new creature, having
been born of God into the kingdom, that hath not the Son of God hath into a new life which is eternal. “He not life, but the wrath of God abideth that hath the Son hath life, but he on him.”
MY MOTHER'S PRAYERS Among the treasured pictures That I’ve hung on memory's wall, There’s one that's clearer than the rest And sweeter far than all. ’Tis a picture of my mother When I, a little chap, Was folded in her loving arms, To slumber on her lap; I felt her hand caress my head, I heard her softly say, “Dear Jesus, take this little life, And use it every day.”
There must have been a mighty wake Behind that simple prayer, For- through the seasons, year on year, The picture lingers there, And whether I’m on hill or plain Or on the deep blue sea, The memory of that sacred scene. Forever comforts me; Among the treasured pictures That I’ve hung on memory’s wall, My mother’s supplication Is the sweetest one of all.
Biola faculty members utilize the finest in teaching aids and equipment. With the use of the overhead projector, Israel Carmona, Assistant Professor in History, instructs a class in the History of Western Civilization. 10
with DR. SAMUEL H. SUTHERLAND/DR. CHARLES L FEINBERG
Q. Long Beach, Calif. — “You said there are Three Persons in the Trini ty, and it made me sad." A. Why should such a wonderful truth be something to make you sor rowful? God is one God, eternally manifested in Three Persons — Fa ther, Son, and Holy Spirit. These Three are the same in power, sub stance and glory. This should really thrill our hearts. While in our finite minds we cannot comprehend the Trinity, yet, by faith, we can accept it as a glorious reality. Certainly it is taught in the Word of God. It might also be well to point out that there is absolutely no jealousy be tween the members of the Godhead. We needn’t become so bound with the form of prayer that we forget the natural spontaneity that should come. Remember, God looks upon the heart. See Matthew 3:16-17 where the Three Persons are present. Q. Providence, R.l----- “I would like to ask where in the Bible it says that a nation shall be 'born in a day.’ I have been told that it is found in Scripture.” A. This is a familiar quotation, based upon Isaiah 66:8. This speaks of the time of great tribulation, following the rapture of the Church, when, before the millennial reign of Christ, Israel will experience great and ter rible judgment. This will be the ful fillment of such passages as Romans 11:25-27. If you have a new Scofield
Bible, you will find the note on page 768 very helpful. Here we find re vealed the supernatural plan of God. Christ was born historically long be fore the tribulation, but when Is rael’s time of travail arrives, she will repent and her glory as a nation shall be seen world-wide. Q. (Ed. note: Because of the nature of the letter, city is deleted and ques tion is paraphrased.) “A s a person about 25 years of age, I have expe rienced many trials. When ju st a baby, I was very ill and never able to have all of the schooling others received. Physical ailments continue to plague me and yet I have a real desire to serve the Lord on the mis sion field. Vve prayed to that end for a long time. Do you think it unwise and foolish on my part to pray to this end?” A. Our hearts go out to people who find themselves in such a position. It is sad to realize that those who are able don’t seem interested in going to the mission field while those who really want to go have no opportuni ty. There is one important principle to keep in mind, and that is that God doesn’t want every one to go to the mission field or into some specific type of Christian ministry. He does want each of us to be willing to serve in whatever way and wherever He might desire. God cannot use frus trated people who have problems with health, finances, family or other trou bles. Paul knew the importance of being content in whatever state he 11
tribal leader. This is a fascinating study, but consider for a moment Judah, which in Hebrew means “praise.” The verse preceding shows that he is to be compared to a lion which is the king of the animals. As the jungle monarch, he is irre sistible and unconquerable. The scep tre was a symbol of rule. We pass from the figurative to the literal. Shiloh is not the city of Shiloh for it would ruin the chronology other wise. This is a form of the verb which means “peace.” Here is the ingathering of the peoples to Him. You must keep in mind that the Jewish monarchy did not end with Zedekiah, but rather was interrupted then. He was not the last known king of David’s line. The Lord Jesus Christ will fulfill this prophetic prom ise. God promised through Jeremiah that David should never lack a man to sit on his throne. The Saviour will be seated on the throne. So, the prophecy is not fulfilled as yet. The monarchy in Israel is not going to die out or be abolished until the Mes siah comes. When Christ comes the second time, He will gather up all of this rule in a way never seen before. He will not only rule over Israel but also over all of the nations. Q. Portland, Ore. — “Was the Trinity broken when Jesus was in the tomb?” A . When our Lord died on the cross, He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He was bearing our sins in His own body on the tree. For an instant of time, the face of the Father was turned from the Son. This is one of the most solemn thoughts in all of Scrip ture. At that particular moment, as He was paying the full penalty for your sins and mine, He was drinking the cup filled with the wine of the wrath of God. We do not believe that the Trinity has ever been broken. Fellowship may have been interrupt ed, which would be better to put it.
might find himself. If the Lord says “no,” then stay right where you are. Purpose to serve Him there and you will find this your place of greatest joy. Specifically, if the Lord wanted you on the foreign field, He would have made it possible for you to go. Keep in mind the positive things you can do. You can pray. You can write letters to those on the fields. You can acquaint others with the needs of those across the seas and in this way greatly strengthen their hands. In fact, you may be able to serve Him in certain ways more effectively than others who may have full health. Q. Tucson, Ariz. — “Can you tell me when the New Scofield Reference Bible will be published?” A , Perhaps you haven’t heard that Oxford University Press published this in April, 1967. The first edition was 300,000 copies and as we under stand it, at least two more printings have been made. Dr. C. L. Feinberg of Talbot Theological Seminary had the privilege of working on the revision committee, which has been in existence for more than 12 years. We would urge you to get a copy of this splendid publication for your own spiritual edification. Q. Phoenix, Ariz. — “I would like help on Genesis h9:10 which declares, ‘The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the peo ple be.’ Since the Jewish monarchy ended w ith Zedekiah over 600 B.C., how is this prophecy fulfilled i f not as explained by the B ritish Israel ites?” A . This is a very important passage in the prophetic Word. Jacob, at the end of his life, has gathered his twelve children before him. He out lines God’s plan of redemption. Dif ferent things are stated about each
This is what it cost the Lord Jesus Christ to die on Calvary’s cross that you and I might have eternal life. Q. Portland, Ore. — “Paul tells us in I Corinthians 11-1U that men should not wear long hair. I wonder i f you can explain why Christ H imself wore His hair long.” A . In the first place, there is no place in the Bible that indicates Christ wore His hair long. Some ar tists have portrayed Him that way; however, that’s their own personal conception. Isaiah 50:5 and 6 indi cate that the Messiah, when He came, would have a beard. “I gave . . . my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair.” It was the custom of that day. Q. Phoenix, Ariz. — “I would like to know how three days and three nights come between Friday and Sunday in the crucifixion and resur rection of the Saviour. Isn ’t this a denial of truth of the Bible? Is the term ‘Good Friday’ something that we should use?” A . The designation, “Good Friday” is really an historic term signifying the traditional day on which our Lord was supposed to have been cru cified. Keep in mind that any portion of a day in Jewish reckoning was considered as a whole day. This is the explanation for the traditional view. Other people hold to Thursday or even to Wednesday as the day of the crucifixion of our Saviour. Actu ally, no one knows just the day of the week, but it’s the fact that’s important. “What is the meaning of John 10:34-35? A m in ister tried to tell his congregation that we are ‘gods.’ I t is a lie! He referred us back to Genesis 3:5. Then I looked up the Hebrew for ‘gods’ in Genesis 3:5. Could the Q. Ashland, Ore. —
meaning be fallen angels for the gods as it appears in that portion?” A . This seems like a strange declara tion for a pastor to make. John 10: 34-35 is based upon Psalm 82:6, from the pen of Asaph, under the inspira tion of God. Man has a three-fold nature: body, soul, and spirit. This in a way beautifully parallels the Three Persons of the Trinity. God says, “I am the pre-eminent One.” Here was the attestation that the Lord Jesus Christ is uniquely divine. He in turn reveals that we are dif ferent from all other created beings. This was the lie Satan held out to our first parents, “If you will take of this fruit and eat of the tree in the midst of the garden, you shall be as gods.” Adam and Eve from Genesis 3:5 wouldn’t have known anything about fallen angels. They weren't omniscient. They had no con cept of what had taken place in Satan's rebellion against God. The Lord Jesus is simply taking a pas sage out of the Old Testament where God graciously gives His people that remarkable title of honor and au thority. Christ says, “Now, if that’s true, look at the manifestation God has given Me through My works. He is showing that I am the pre-eminent and the only God, the Son.” We are not gods, and we are not going to become angels. We are sinners saved by the grace of God. Q, Walla Walla, Wash. — “A great deal is said about how evil Judas was. I contend that he was not understood. It was his job to raise money for Christ and the disciples. I feel there are many today, Christian workers and preachers, who try to get every possible dollar. They’re just as bad as Judas, and thereby they hurt Christianity.” A . The cause of Christ is hurt un fortunately by those who fail to live a consistent life matching their tes timony. It is difficult to know why
sense of being deported, these weren’t deportations, for Jacob went of his own volition to Egypt, although Joseph didn’t. The only true captivi ty is that of the Northern and South ern Kingdoms in the captivities in 722 B.C. and 587 B.C. respectively. Many Jewish people still consider themselves to be in captivity or dis persion. The terms are used in the general rather than the precise meaning. Q. San Diego, Calif. — “Since I be came a teenager, our home is a vir tual battleground. I don’t know what’s happened to me or to my par ents. I t seems that we disagree about everything. This makes me miserable and I ’m sure it doesn’t help them either. What would you suggest?” A . This is what is popularly known today as “the generation gap.” First of all, remember the scriptural in junction to honor your father and your mother. You are to be in sub jection to your parents. But this is also a two-way street. The parents have great responsibility toward their children as well. It may be that as a young person you are trying to identify completely with those of your own age group rather than heeding the rules, regulations and admonitions of your parents. If you come from a good Christian home, remember this fact — your parents love you more, with a holy dedication and devotion, than any other person or group in all the world. Our sym pathies are with you. We know the temptations and hardships you have to go through. There is nothing as important as your faith in Jesus Christ. There are no human beings as important as your father or moth er to your own spiritual upbringing. Obey them in the Lord. Even though you may not like it now, some day you will rise up and call them blessed. Q. Inman, Kans. — “Could you make Matthew 12:US-U5 clear to me? I ’ve
anyone, when Scripture is examined, could defend the betrayer, Judas. The Word of God is very explicit on this subject. Christ pointed out in John 13:21 that there would be such a traitor. Matthew 27:3-4 reveals how that Judas himself realized how he had sinned most grievously in be traying innocent blood. Christ point ed out Judas as the one in John 6 :70. Judas awaits his rightful punish ment at the Great White Throne judgment of Almighty God. Jesus Himself said of Judas that he was “the son .of perdition” John 17:12. He was never saved. Q. Portland, Ore. — “In Matthew 5: 25 we read, ‘Agree w ith thine ad versary quickly.’ What does this mean?” A . It is the suggestion that we should seek to come to terms with the in dividual with whom we have had a difference. Small misunderstandings can easily lead to greater problems. In the end, real enmity may result. Paul rightly exhorts us, “Let not the sun go down on thy wrath.” Such circumstances eat away at our lives like a canker, until we ourselves are miserable and useless in the Lord’s service. Although the verse about which you have written is found in the Sermon on the Mount, there is a very practical application for all of us today. We should seek to live at peace with all men, so far as it is humanly possible. Q. Billings, Mont.— “How many times were the children of Israel made captives? Are they still considered so?” A . In general terms, it is usually thought that they were made captive three times. Israel was first taken to Egypt; then to Babylon in the 6th century B.C.; and finally the third in 70 A.D. when Titus de stroyed Jerusalem. Now if we are going to use the word captive in the
been wondering about this fo r a long time.” A. This passage, as you will see from reading it carefully, deals with a person who has been possessed with a demon. Then the evil spirit leaves him, only to return with seven other demons to take up their abode with in him. Obviously, the man’s last estate is worse than the first. Keep in mind that this is not referring to a saved individual at all. There is no time in a Christian's spiritual history that the Bible would char acterize him as being empty, swept and garnished! This passage does give us one of Scripture’s main pic tures of the futility and worthless ness of a person who tries to reform himself. In addition, prophetically, it has a very definite application to Israel in future days. Q. Phoenix, Ariz. — “Some religious people think I am wrong because I believe everyone is good at heart. To me that means they’re religious. Am I wrong?” A. In kindness and yet firmly, yes, you are absolutely wrong! The Word of God is replete with statements re vealing the wickedness of the human heart (Jer. 17:9; Luke 19:10). Man kind is lost in sin and alienated from God. The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance. The Bible tells us, “This is the condemnation that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.” There is also a big difference be tween being religious and being a Christian. Mankind is naturally re ligious ; he is bom that way. Religion is mankind groping blindly in the dark trying to find a ray of light. True Christianity is God, the great Light, come into the world, to reveal His love for lost humanity through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Q. Porterville, Calif. — “I was reading John 15:2 last night. I t says ‘Every branch in me that beareth not fru it he taketh away.’ Following in verse 6 it says, ‘I f a man abide not in me, he is cast fo rth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.’ Does that mean that i f you are not absolutely perfect and bear a lot of fru it like winning souls that you are automatically not a member of God’s fam ily?” A. The passage does not teach that one must be absolutely perfect. In fact, Scripture tells us we will never be perfect until we are in the pres ence of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a sense in which we have been made positionally perfect because we are in Christ. Then, there is the process where we are being made conformable unto Him little by little (Phil. 1:6). The Spirit of God who indwells us is making us more and more like the Saviour (II Cor. 3:18; I John 3:1-2). Keep in mind that anyone who is a branch of the True Vine, will bring forth fruit. This is the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22. There are three conditions for fruitfulness: cleans ing, abiding, and obedience. There are different stages of fruit-bearing. Now, there are some professing believers who are not possessing ones. God wants us to bear much fruit. Realize your relationship with Christ. Make sure that you are not on shifting sand. Have you in essence said, “Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling” ? Your life should be manifesting Christ. Let your life so shine that others may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Kindness and understanding have converted more sinners than zeal, elo quence or learning.
P a r a b l e s c m u 6
mire of spiritual death and destruction. The Lord Jesus Christ, however, has come to bring us newness of life that we might live with Him forevermore. May our testimony be that of the Psalmist who said, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a solid rock, and established my goings, and hath put a new song in my heart.”
S U B M E R G E D V A L U E S The date was May, 1915, nearly 55 years ago, when the famous 32,000-ton luxury liner, the Lusitania, was tor pedoed by a German submarine and 124 Americans lost their lives out of nearly 1200 passengers. Only recently the old barnacle-encrusted liner, belong ing to the Cunard Company, was pur chased by a Boston frogman by the name of John Light. He’s 34 years old and he paid $3,000 for the sunken ves sel. It’s now lying in 315 feet of water about 11 miles offshore from a small Irish fishing village. Do you think he got a bargain? It may turn out to be that way. Of course, half-a-century ago things were done a little differently than today. Light believes that there are more than 100 tons of copper throughout the ship which, at today’s prices, would sell for at least a million dollars. Of course, there are some ad mitted handicaps before he can get it. He’ll probably have to blast off the side of the Lusitania’s hull. In addition, there are those four iron manganese bronze propellers, weighing some 14 tons, worth about $50,000 each. He figures these also can be removed by a massive explosive charge. New meth ods of flotation may bring untold other treasures, hardly to be compared with the original three-thousand-dollar price tag. It will require a great deal of par tience, skill, and determination but Light figures it can be done. When we think of our own lives, we can’t help but realize that because of sin we’ve been torpedoed into the quag- 16
Many people who will not read a Bible WILL read a Christian.
NO E S C A P E ! In the book of Romans, particularly the first three chapters, we are care fully shown that no man, no matter where he lives on the face of this earth, has any possible way of escape without accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour. Be cause of man’s sinfulness, he literally condemns himself to eternal perdition. The heathen in darkest Africa is with out excuse for he has had the light of God’s creative handiwork. The moral man here in the United States, the church memeber, if you please will suf fer the same fatal destiny if he is with out personal, living, vital faith in Jesus Christ. He has had the light of his con science to convict him. The Jewish per son is also guilty before the Lord. He has had the light of God’s divine law to guide him. So in Romans 2:3 there is the positive and correct argument, “And thinkest thou this, 0 man, that
ally communicating those truths which will guide them in the spiritual nurture and admonition of the Lord. 9. Thou shalt instruct thy children in proper habits, manners, and: morals, that they may be an effective witness concerning the grace of God! 10. Thou shalt conduct thine own life and affairs in such a manner as to set an example worthy of imitation by thy children, as well as praise by thy Lord.
judgest them which do such things and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Actually^ we might translate this verse to read, “And do you really figure that you’ll escape, you of all people?” That word “figure * is a mathematical term. Paul uses it 27 times here in this portion of the Bible. It means to sit down and work out a problem. Men today think that they have figured out all of the an swers. They may believe that they are able to come up against God and find a way of escape. But the Bible forcefully points out that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
While the best things in life are free, frequently the next best things can be quite expensive.
THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST One of the deep, but wonderful truths of theology, is the fact that our Al mighty Creator is not only Judge of the universe, but also the One who jus tifies the sinner. An ancient monarch had passed a decree that if anyone in his kingdom committed a crime of a certain nature, the penalty would be most severe. Any so convicted would have his eyes pierced with hot searing needles which would cause immediate blindness. The offender would thus be unable to continue his waywardness. The law was published so that all of the citizens of the region would know the severity of such a transgression. Ironically, the first one who was brought before the king, guilty of this offense, was the monarch’s oum son. The monarch knew that to be fair, he would have to keep his word. With tears in his eyes, he ordered that the per manently damaging hot needles be passed over the eyes of his son. One eye received the agonizing pain, but before the second was touched, the king himself stepped down from his throne, ordering that the other red-hot needle be placed on one of his own eyes. In this manner, he partially bore the penalty of his son. Now, whether or not this legend is true, no one can say for sure. While it’s touching, it certainly doesn’t begin to compa/re with what God has done, not bearing just partial penalty, but the total severity of the law. Through His Son He took the guilt of our sins. Yes, Jesus Christ who knew no sin was 17
You may take life as you find it, but you certainly don’t need to leave it the same way.
10 COMMANDMENTS FOR PARENTS
1. Thou shalt guard thy children spiritually, physically, and morally in the home as well as preparing them for when they leave. 2. Thou shalt make thy home a sanc tuary of love and devotion for one an other as well as for the Lord. 3. Thou shalt honor the teachers of thy children and instruct thy children to honor them as long as their princi ples and concepts are upright. U. Thou shalt not condone the faults of thy children because of a misguided sense of loyalty or through a permissive over-indulgence. 5. Thou shalt teach thy children re spect for the law and keep them from the companionship of those who advo cate contempt for authority. 6. Thou shalt not lead thy children into temptation by providing them with the means thereof such as too much money, adult privileges, and a lack of proper and consistent discipline. 7. Thou shalt enforce decency in the dress of thy daughters . and dignity in the conduct of thy sons, despite pres sures and styles of the times. 8. Thou shalt protect the morals of thy children from the indiscretions of youthful ardor and inexperience. Thou shalt take the responsibility of person
made sin for us that we through His righteousness might have eternal life. Love and justice have been joined in union. A 8 a result, we have been given an inheritance incorruptible and un defiled.
the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, this old globe itself is just one vast moral graveyard. The very word cemetery is derived from a Greek term found in the Bible. We read, “the whole world lieth (there’s the word for ceme tery) in the lap of the evil one.” In the long ago, when Martha heard the Lord Jesus ordering the stone to be taken away from her brother’s grave, she pointed out, “Lord, by this time he has started to decay. The putrifying odors have set in. He’s been dead for four days.” But this is true of all man kind who, for these untold centuries, has thus been dead and putrifying. Only God can bring true spiritual life to those dead in iniquity and sin. Listen to this mighty challenge of Scripture, “And you hath he quickened [or made alive] who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. . . . But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ [by grace are ye saved].” C L E A N F R O M W IT H IN Sometimes it’s important to define terms. Consider the word “reforma tion.” That could be likened to putting a new shirt on a man. Something more important is “regeneration” which is like putting a new man into a shirt. Do you see the difference? Missionaries working among the Bukidnon people of the Philippine Islands tell of the ex treme backwardness of these natives. To those coming from more advanced civilization their bodies appear inde scribably filthy and repulsive. Still, faithful' ambassadors of the cross who labor among them testify, “We never tell them to clean up. Rather, it’s our purpose to have them see how they can be made clean inwardly from sin by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Mis sionaries further observe, “I t’s amaz- A careless reader of the Scriptures will never make a close walker with the Lord.
It's unfortunate that some children grow up like weeds and are about as well cared for.
10 C O M M A N D M E N T S FO R F A T H E R S
1. Thou shalt hold no other group more important than your family. In all thy ways thou shalt be faithful unto them. 2. Thou shalt teach thy children to love, respect, and obey their parents. 3. Thou shalt be a loving and con siderate husband to thy wife. U. Thou shalt not speak in a manner unbecoming a Christian gentleman. 5. Thou shalt by example make Sun day a family day for God, being sure that church attendance is a purposeful habit. 6. Thou shalt provide adequately for thy family to the best of thine ability. 7. Thou shalt promote family wor ship in the study of God’s Word in thy home day by day. 8. Thou shalt be honest in all of thy dealings, both in business as well as with thy neighbors. 9. Thou shalt not fail to spend time with thy family, showing by a real con cern and love that their interests are above thine own. 10. Thou shalt be the head of thine household, yet ruling over it with the same type of love with which Christ gave His life for all mankind.
Loose conduct can always get a per son Into a tight spot.
V IC T O R Y O V E R D E A T H Have you ever thought about where the idea of cemeteries started? No doubt there was a desire for people to be buried close to loved ones and rela tives. Spiritually speaking, apart from 18
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