Srethern / by H. H. Savage
sinned by worshipping the golden calf: “Yet now if thou wilt forgive their sin, and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written” (Ex. 32:32). How long since you and I have wept so bitterly over the sins of others? Do you know of any nmsionary any where who has a reputation for weeping-' Mo you know of any pastor who has such a burden for the people cf his congregation as to offer to go to hell :.i their behali? Do you know of any Sunday School teacher who is known to be a man or woman of sorrows and acquainted with grief? Jesus was. I am not thinking of those who are ex cessively emotional, and who weep at every heart stirring experience: I am thinking of those who are moved with deep compassion over those who are spiritually decadent. Of course, if anyone should be too much like Paul, or like the Saviour in this regard, he would be classified as “ fun ny,” or as a “fool,” or as a “ fanatic.” We had rather pride ourselves on doing things decently and in order. Then there is the New Testament pattern of prayer as being of prime importance in dealing with those whom we covet for a life of separation as the Holy Spirit may guide and instruct. James said, “ The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” I wonder if we have any spiritual consent to talking about others or to others in terms that we would not be willing to use while talking to God on our knees. Many times I have asked some one who was super-critical to get down on his knees and tell the Lord what a miserable person the victim who was being scandalized really was. Somehow such a procedure never takes place. Remember that when Peter’s faith was declining, Jesus told him, “ But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy breth ren.” What a blessed example! And Jude calls attention to the fact that Michael did not even give Satan a blistering tongue lashing, but instead, “ when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” There is a command of the Lord Jesus Christ that is repeated several times in the Gospel of John, and inti mated several times in the Epistles of John, which is as follows, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that ye also love one another.” What a pattern “ AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.” And notice that this is not a suggestion, it is a COMMANDMENT. Can you say? can I say? that our love for the brethren even approximates the love of the Lord Jesus Christ for us? If not, then to just that extent, we are disobedient children. But if, on the other hand, we are bitterly critical of the brethren, and constant accusers of the brethren, then we must admit the fact that we are following the example of Satan, rather than following the example o f the Lord. 9
that you faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.” A declension in the zeal of this Church did not lead Paul to write scathing articles against them, but it did lead him to plead with them with all the earnest ness of one enduring terrific persecution, seemingly result ing in actual physical pain. How often has your body, how often has my body suffered actual physical pain in our intense concern over those who , are departing from the faith? Writing to the Church at Philippi where schisms and personal animosities were making their appearance, Paul testified, “ For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
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ALTITUDE “ It’s safer flying high,” declared the pilot; We climbed another thousand feet or so; “ The higher up we are the better landing, Emergency airports ahead, below.” “ It’s safer flying high,” sometimes it echoes When conscience indicates the need of care, When tempted to some base or fleshly interest, And sin presents itself in colors fair. The sky way is the highway for the victor, For those who wish to live among the few. So evident in life as in air travel, The farther from the earth, the fuller view. “ It’s safer flying high,” says the apostle The world beneath, and God’s own blue above; Remember Christ is seated in the heavenlies, And you are with Him there, climax of love! How worthless then the world, how dull its glory, When you live high, and far enough away To get a sense of values, wise and proper; Then why not live your altitude today?
By Dr. W ill Houghton former President of Moody Bible Institute
and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ.” When Paul had to rebuke those who were bringing discredit upon the message of the cross, he did it with tears in his eyes. Perhaps the most fervent of Paul’s concern over others had to do with his own people, Israel. Listen to him as he cries out in Romans 9:3, “ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for ,my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Think of it! Paul was willing to go to hell if only the people of his nation could be con verted. This was also the plea of Moses when Israel had Dr. H. H. Savage is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pontiac, Michigan, and one of the Silver Anniversary Torrey Memorial Bible Conference speakers for Biola. FEBRUARY, 1960
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