tion of the Gospel. Again, this is what Paul meant in declaring, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salva tion to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). (See I Cor. 15:1-4.) Let us never lose sight of the first imperative, in that the Gospel is the power of God. It alone can revolution ize men’s lives. There is nothing else available to remedy sin and to settle the eternal destiny of a human soul. In addition, the Gospel is the power of God to mend broken hearts, to set right personal relationships, to work miracles in broken homes. Any mes sage not demonstrating the dynamic of Almighty God is not the Gospel. Therefore, it must follow that any witnessing which pretends to be wit nessing must equally demonstrate the power of God. Ask yourself these important ques tions: “Am I being a witness? Have I been presenting the Gospel ? Has the power of God been in evidence in my life? Has an impact been made on lives simply because God took hold of me and used me?” This is what we mean when we talk about the subject of personal evangelism. It must re veal the power of God. The second thing Paul says is that the message has the power of God unto salvation. What, however, do we mean by salvation? A little Salvation Army girl was sitting in a railway carriage opposite a minister. She thought to herself, “Now this is a good opportunity. I’ll have a talk with him and see about his spiritual state.” With considerably more enthusiasm than tact she leaned over and asked, “Preacher, are you saved?” The min ister looked benignly on the young lass and responded, “Young lady, do you mean have I been saved, or do you mean, am I being saved, or do you mean will I be saved?” To complicate matters he gave each of these terms in Greek. The poor girl was completely out of her depth. The minister had a point. There are many people today who feel that being saved is all in the
past tense. There is much more to the message than that. The victorious Christian can say, “I have been saved from sin’s penalty. I am being saved from sin’s power. I will be saved from sin’s final judgment.” All three of these blessed truths must be a part of the salvation you enjoy, or your life will be miserable and discontented. Un- IF I FORGET Lord, if I forget the heartache and the pain. The grief and sorrow Thou hast borne for me— Teach me to climb Golgotha's hill again To find the Cross of Calvary. If I should lose the blessing of Thy smile Because my eyes are blinded by the light— Then may I touch Thy pierced hand awhile Until I have regained my sight. If I forget the Pathway trod for me— If I forget Thine agonizing prayer— Guide, Thou, my feet to dark Gethse- mane That I may find Thee waiting there. And if I ever falter with the load, Or groan beneath the crosses I have borne— May I remember Thou did'st walk a road Wearing Thy mocking crown of thorns. If I forget it is not death to die— If I forget the promise of the spring— Lead me unto Thine empty tomb, that I May find my risen Saviour-King. — Ruth Gibbs til you fully understand these precious truths, you will not be able to share them with others. So, this question which burdens my heart for the many friends we had the privilege of meet ing in America, “Are you presenting these basic facts to others; are you using what God has given you in obey ing His commission for your life?” 4
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