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T=tT<">T ■A broadcaster Monthly Publication of the BIOLA FELLOWSHIP Vol. 2 No. 10 OCTOBER, 1962 CONTENTS THE PRECARIOUS BALANCE
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PARABLES OF LIFE ............ THE NEED TO BE LOVED PANEL DISCUSSIONS ......... A SUMMARY OF
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STAFF President ...... S. H. Sutherland Editor .................... Ruth D. Gill Supervision ..Thomas E. Steele Production ............. AI Sanders 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.
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THE TEN COMMANDMENTS TODAY/SEPTEMBER RADIO MESSAGES/AL SANDERS
The Precarious Balance o f Life
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H ardly a day goes by, if your home is like most, but that the post man brings a request for some chari table organization. One thing people are complaining about is the fact that on every hand there seem to be grow ing requests for money. This is true, of course in the Christian realm as well as in the secular.
Hearts of people are generally touched with stories stressing the emo tions. Compassionate appeals about un fortunate children, or those who are afflicted with some dread malady. But how strange it is to realize that men will, in one moment, give to alleviate a problem experienced by their fellow- (Continued on next page)
The Balance of Life (continued) man, and then turn around to rob or cheat someone else to make up for that which they have given. One of the greatest crises our Coun try faces is “what has happened to our individual and personal integrity.” Howard Whitman, writing in the Los Angeles Times, declared, “The Eighth Commandment should not read, ‘Thou shalt not steal’ but judging from the philosophy of the way in which people in our Country live, it would be better to have it declare, ‘Thou shalt not be caught stealing.’ ” An evangelist was holding meetings in a certain midwestem town. A young man had attended who seemed to be greatly burdened about a problem. He went to the preacher at the close of one of the services and testified, that while he was a Christian, he was most miserable in his own soul. “It’s all because of some copper nails”, he ex plained remorsefully. The minister in vited him to share the rest of the prob lem. So, sitting together at the front of the church, the young man explained that he worked for a boat builder. Copper nails were used in the vessels because they do not rust and would last much longer. In his spare time, because of his love for boats, the young man was building one of his own at home. Since his employer was quite wealthy, each night he had been tak ing home a few copper nails. He ra tionalized that they would never be missed and after all he deserved more pay than he received. His conscience had been dulled and he justified his action. But now the Holy Spirit had been speaking to him and had convicted his heart concerning the theft. He woefully told the preach er, “For months I’ve been trying to talk to my boss about his need of Jesus Christ as Saviour. He won’t listen to me. Now if he hears I’ve been steal ing from him, what do you think he’d say? What kind of a Christian witness or example do you think I would have been? What shall I do?” The minister had prayer with him and quietly sug gested that the Holy Spirit would re
veal the thing he would need to do to make things right. The next night the young man was at the service. He was hardly recog nizable in appearance, however, for his face positively was beaming. When the invitation was given, he rose from his seat and rushed to the front. He asked if he could talk to the minister. The preacher was anxious to know what had happened. The young man smiled and said, “Well, I went to my boss and told him the whole story. I told him I realized I had been a pretty mis erable example, taking the copper nails. But by the time I had finished he put out his hand and shook mine saying, “I’ve always thought Christians were just a bunch of hypocrites, but any way of life that can make a man come and admit such a thing is cer tainly something that I need.” Because of this confession, restitu tion, and awakening of the conscience, the Christian had the opportunity of leading his boss to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Eighth Commandment, short as the Sixth in number of words, simply states, “Thou shalt not steal.” This de nies, in every aspect, any thought of cheating. This Commandment concerning steal ing includes many, many more than just those who have broken state and federal laws concerning robbery. The FBI interestingly reports that last year robbers took some one million three hundred thousand dollars from banks across the country. But during the same period of time, employees of American banks walked out with more than nine million five hundred thousand dollars. In other words, as a ratio of nine to one, are those, who, like the man with the copper nails, stole from their em ployers. But since it is on such a small scale, we try to justify what we do. It is all rationalized. There are many employ ees who stretch their so-called coffee break to more than the allotted time, or who linger at the water cooler, or who waste moments that could be giv en to the employer for his benefit. 4
These things are justified as they tell themselves “the employer will never miss the extra ,time, and we need the rest. After all, we’re worth more than we’re being paid.” As a further indication, 75% of all Americans cheat on their income tax. Perhaps not a lot, but to some degree or other. What a tragedy that Satan has so brought to us what seems to be an honest evasion of our responsibili ties. Our moral integrity in America has sadly deteriorated. Recently our nation has experienced all manner of investigations concern ing what has been known as “payola.” In New York City the District Attorney, following the scandals on television, ordered his inspectors to check the gas oline pumps in the metropolitan com munity. Of approximately 500 which were accurately measured, 350 were found to be incorrect, in favor of the merchant. The same was true when the District Attorney’s men investigated the meat scales in the various butcher shops within the area. How tragic that men and women, in a nation under God should constantly be breaking the Eighth Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” “Thou shalt not steal,” is God’s sound pronouncement and it includes every form of cheating. May I just add this before we conclude our brief discussion Two life-long friends of Biola met together on the La Mirada Campus, Mrs. Lyman Stewart widow of Biala’s first president, and Dr. Daniel Rose, faithful Hebrew Chris tian and Director of the Jewish Department.
of the Eighth Commandment and it concerns the very insidious thought in the communist doctrine — that steal ing is to be approved if one takes from the rich and bestows it upon the poor. How heretical are the writings of those who declare that Communism is basic ally formed upon Christian ideals. The Bible teaches that man should receive his just wages for that which he has honestly worked. It nowhere commends or condones Communism. Such was attempted here in the United States back in 1603 in Jamestown. Ev eryone was given an equal share and as a result, the fact of the matter is that this foolish philosophy didn’t work because the men didn’t work. They wanted it all given to them on the proverbial silver platter. Communism is in no sense based upon Christian ideals. It is frought with atheistic phil osophies through and through. God’s commandment relative to steal ing includes the taking of a pencil or other supplies from the office, belong ing to someone else. It may be the pil fering of time. It may be the purpose ful overlooking of some responsibility. It may be an exaggerated claim in business. All of these things are sinful in the sight of God. No wonder that the personal integrity of our nation is at stake when men think so loosely of this Commandment of God. Yet, how wonderful it is to realize that the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleans- eth us from all sin. God does not give His perfect law to reveal men as sinners without also providing, in His divine love and mer cy, a way of escape, for he that believ- eth on Him, Jesus Christ, God says, is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God,” Salvation comes as a result of one’s acknowledg ing himself as a sinner in God’s sight and believing in his heart that Christ died for his sins. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” 5
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS TODAY/SEPTEMBER RADIO MESSAGES/AL SANDERS
"Thou shalt not bear false witness” THINGS THAT GOD HATES
“n p H E most u sefu l volume I have -i- had in my forty years of minis try”, a minister declared, “is my ‘Com plaint Book.’ ” He explained that when anyone came to him, bringing accusa tions against another church member, he would get out this book and say, ‘Now let me write down your state ments so that I may know how you can be expected to testify should this matter come up.’ ” The uniform re sponse was, “Oh, no, I would neither want to be quoted nor have my name mentioned. You must not repeat this.” In the forty years he had kept this book its pages remained blank; not one en try had ever been made. This recounting leads us into the Ninth Commandment given to us in the Book of Exodus, chapter 20, verse 16 — “Thou shalt not bear false wit ness.” We all have a natural repug nancy for those sins which are consid ered so black and vile -— the one who gossips, however, is also guilty of sin in the sight of Almighty God. Who is to say which sin is blacker? We know that all fall far short of God’s glory. In the 6th chapter of the Book of Proverbs, God says, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an
abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Of all the things God abhors, His wrath is es pecially pronounced upon gossiping. Paul gave these words of warning to the Colossian Church, “Lie not one to another seeing you have put off the old man with his doings” (Col. 3:9). To the Galatian Church he admonished, “If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed of one another” (Gal. 5:15). We need to hide in our hearts the words of the Psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” In the Third Commandment God de clares that His name is not to be taken in vain. In the Ninth Commandment, equal emphasis is placed upon the tak ing of another man’s name in vain. It is very easy, with a malicious word of gossip, to ruin a reputation. In coun selling with a Christian worker but a few days ago, he told me of how he 6
taste my words to make sure that I can let them pass my teeth.” “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” says the Word of God! We find that troubles usually start in the church because someone has sown a malicious rumor, wheth er true or false is beside the point. God help us to refrain from circulat ing that which brings a reproach upon the work of God in a church. From that great love chapter of the Bible, we know that as far as the perfect trait of love is concerned, it does not rejoice in iniquity but it rejoices in the truth. It seems that some professing Chris tians are more interested in hearing scandal than in listening to the good news of eternal life. Being honest with ourselves we would have to bow our heads and say, “Lord Jesus, forgive me for saying some things that I had no right to say.” A case was brought before the court for hearing and a little boy was to testify. The prosecution felt confident that the lad’s testimony could be easily nullified by revealing the fact that the child had been coached as to what he should say. The prosecuting lawyer began his interrogation by wryly asking, “Now tell this Court, honestly, have you been coached as to what you are to say -— how you are to testify?” The boy thought for a moment, then with a wide grin he admitted that the matter had been discussed. Hie at torney coaxed him further, “Then tell these nice people how you were in structed.” The lad responded bravely, “Well, my daddy told me that there would be a man who would probably try to get me all mixed up, but that if I just told the truth, I could say anything I wanted to.” Satan seeks to ensnare our lips with a lying tongue, with hands that shed innocent blood, with a heart that de- viseth wicked imaginations — in short he attempts to involve us with all the things that God hates. But remember the command of God: “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” 7
had been maligned by a fellow work er, and added, “I do not know where he would ever get such rumors about me — I have never met or seen him.” A robber or thief may take our ma terial possessions, but a gossip will steal that which can never be replaced. I am reminded of a story about a newspaper reporter who tried to verify facts about the business transactions of a prominent man. He said, “I under stand you made a million dollars in cattle down in Oklahoma last year.” The answer he received revealed how, through gossip, facts are somewhat dis torted. The businessman responded by say ing, “Well, it wasn’t last year, it was two years ago. And it wasn’t in Okla homa, it was in Texas. What is more, "A Song of Low Degree" He that is down need fear no fall He that is low, no pride; He that is humble ever shall Have God to be his guide. I am content with what I have, Little be it or much; And, Lord, contentment shall I crave, Because Thou savest such. Fullness to such a burden is That go on pilgrimage; Here little and hereafter bliss, Is best from age to age. — John Bunyan it wasn’t cattle, it was oil. And it wasn’t a million dollars, it was two million dollars. But what is really dis torted is the fact that I did not make it, I lost it!” Gossiping, or false witness, may be borne by silence, a shrug of the should er, a wink of the eye or by actual words. Satan shows his cunning in tempting Christians to serve him in this field. A cleaning woman, working in a neighborhood of folk who were quite comfortable financially, was constant ly asked by her friends why she didn’t share some of the stories and gossip she heard about those for whom she worked. She gave them this answer upon which they might meditate: “Well, I’ll tell you — before I speak I always stop and
MESSAGES/AL SANDERS
COMMANDMENTS
THE TEN
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w a it not
man wants God only as a being of his own convenience. Men and women are far more occupied with their own ma terialistic needs and goals. “Thou shalt not covet” strikes at the very root of man’s desires in life. Who can honestly say that he has never broken this Commandment? The word “covet” simply means to desire, to wish for —yes, often to lust. In using the word “lust,” however, we sometimes think of any immoral gratification or longing. But it deals with all lascivious grasping of the soul. It has well been said that the Ameri can way of life is to possess duplicates of that which our neighbors have — a better home, a better car, another TV* and the list goes on and on. The Holy Spirit directs this Com mandment to the heart of each child of God as the Lord emphatically de-
I n our study of the Decalogue, we come now to examine the last Com mandment — the Tenth. We have been looking at the various perfect laws and standards given by God to the Children of Israel on their wilderness march. These laws expose to us the deceitful ness of our hearts, the holiness of God, and His perfect statutes for life. Of interest is the fact that all of these Commandments we have thus far stud ied are now, or have been, on the stat ute books of our Country. This last forceful decree, however, is not to be found engraven upon the laws of our city, state, or Nation for it is written only within the heart — it cannot be controlled except by the indwelling power of God’s Holy Spirit — “Thou shalt not covet.” We are living in an atheistic, cor rupt, and extremely selfish era in which
dares, “Thou shalt not covet thy neigh bour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.” The thing that we, as God’s children, need to realize is that satisfaction does not come in the abun dance of things which we possess. As the old German woman admitted, “ ’Ve grow oldt too soon, and schmardt too late.” The Bible tells us that the secret of satisfaction for the heart is to “De light thyself also in the Lord;” ’ Psalm 37:4. And we are to delight ourselves in His Word. According to John D. Rockfeller, Sr., who answered a friend’s query as to when a man is rich enough — he said, “It is when he has just a little bit more.” That seems to be our motto and creed, “Just a little bit more.” But we are to keep ourselves from covetousness for our life consists not in the abundance of things we possess. Satan tried our Lord in this respect, for he said, “Bow down and worship me and all these things will I give you.” Our Lord refused for He was without sin. The Decalogue closes on a note of hopelessness for the human race for the Lord Jesus said, “Everyone that looketh hath already sinned in his heart.” You see, it does not take the act — just to look, to think, has become sin. When it comes to sin, the breaking of the Law — there is absolutely no dif ference between men, for all have sinned. In all other aspects — material, physical and spiritual, there is a differ ence between them. Some men are rich, some are poor, and many are endowed with great wisdom. But when it comes to sin, God’s Word tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Paul admitted that this sin of covetousness had been experienced in his own life but that he would not have known lust except the Law" re vealed it unto him — “Thou shalt not covet.” A young man argued with his pas tor as they drove down the highway—
“Who needs the Ten Commandments? Why pay any attention to them, they are too narrow. No one wants a hunch of ‘thou shalt nots’ thrown in his face all the time.” * “Why are those road signs of any importance — should they be there?” the minister ventured as he pursued, carefully, the logic of the discussion. “I note that each one indicates which way to turn, what our speed should be, or warns us of some danger. I wonder what right the division of highways has to tell us what is safe and what we must do — perhaps their orders are too narrow! ” “Oh, no,” the young man responded— ‘if they were not there we would not know where we were — we’d be lost.” “Even so, with the Ten Command ments, young man.” The Law does not save, it cannot, for “by the deeds of the law — the keeping of the law — shall no flesh be justified.” The minister then followed along with a clear statement of fact that the Law points out sin, and the blood of Jesus Christ alone redeems us! From the Annals of the Royal Ca nadian Mounted Police we have this story of two lost miners who were searching for gold. After months of si lence, their bodies were located — only skeletons remained. It was in the sum mer months when they were found. Near the hand of one of the miners was a pencil and on the table a tragic note which said in essence, “We finally found gold after long years of search ing. It was the dream of our lives; we would finally be millionaires. In an effort to get just a little more we failed to realize the severe weather conditions which had sealed us in this shack. Without ample supplies we are trapped and helpless, although we have all the gold one’s heart could desire. What good is it now?” Through this true narrative we can understand what God’s Word means when it declares “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? . . God’s forceful declaration is: “Thou shalt not covet.” 9
WHEN TWO CHURCH MEMBERS seem not to be able to get along together, what an unfortunate testimony of the Gospel this is! In one of the area congregations this proved to be true and a third member decided to bring these two men into united service for the Lord. First the peacemaker visited Mr. Brown. Casually he asked, “What do you think of Mr. Thompson?” Mr. Brown’s eyes flashed w ith anger and retorted, “Think! W hy he’s contemp tible in my sight!” The peacemaker kindly ventured, “Yes, but you must admit he is very thoughtful of his fam ily.” Brown said, “Yes, he is that.” The next day the peacemaker went to the Thompson home and in talk ing w ith his friend and in easy de sign remarked, “Mr. Thompson, do you realize what Mr. Brown said about you?” Thompson!s fur began to ruffle immediately as he surmised unkindly, “No, but 1 can imagine the untrue, and dirty things he must have expressed.” The peacemaker shook his head and told Mr. Thompson that Brown simply remarked that “you were cer tainly thoughtful of your fam ily.” Then asked, “Now what do you think of him?” Mr. Thompson was not convinced. He commented that Brown was sim ply a scamp and a rascal! “That may be, but you w ill have to admit he is an honest man.” Thompson agreed that he was honest. “But what has that to do w ith it?” Back to Brown went the peacemak er. “Do you know what Mr. Thomp son said of you? He said you are an
honest man.” Well, 1 would never have believed that the next Sunday Brown and Thompson sat together in church. It is easy to spread tales of hate, anger, and contempt, thus keeping the fires of disunion smoldering, but God has promised a special blessing to those who are willing to intervene that hearts might be freed of the tension of those who would destroy them and that all might be brought to serve to the glory of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.” * "Your faith is no stronger than the strength it will bear." "The Way Ahead" I cannot always see the way that leads To heights above; I sometimes quite forget He leads me on With hands of love; But yet I realize the path must lead me to Immanuel's land, And when I reach life's summit I shall know And understand. I cannot always trace the onward course My bark must take; But looking backward, I behold afar Its shining wake, Illumined with God's Light of Love; and so I onward go In perfect trust that He who holds the helm, The course must surely know. * *
10
SEPTEMBER PRAYER MESSAGE
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I n th is series of messages we have dealt, first, with the part that pray er plays in the emotional stability of the individual. It was much to our comfort that we discovered the Bible deals in some detail with every emo tional malady, neurosis or psychosis-
causing factor known to modem psy chology. The wisdom of ages past and future is wrapped in the unfathomable truths of God’s precious Book for you and me to discover and enjoy. How much food (Continued on next page) 11
The deep-seated need to feel loved and to love, when unfulfilled, creates varying kinds of disorders ranging from simple personality peculiarities and emotional disorders to severe sex ual maladjustments and abnormalities. Children from broken homes, or homes where love is not expressed, of ten display aggressive or depressive re actions. Sometimes in reaching out for affection and attention, they are drawn into associations and friendships that warp and ruin their lives. Severe emo tional disorders apparent in adults of ten can be traced to a lack of affec tion during critical periods of develop ment as children. Eric Fromm, well known psychia trist and author of the book “The Art of Loving,” states that in many cases of mental illness “Therapy is essential ly an attempt to help the patient gain or regain his capacity for love. If this aim is not fulfilled, nothing but surface changes can be accomplished.” Dr. Richard Cramer states that “This love is a dynamic force, an action. Such love does not come full grown into our lives . . . it has to be cultivated and allowed to grow.” As parents, we need to spend much time before the Lord, receiving from Him His own overflowing love and seek ing the wisdom which He promises to give liberally (James 1:5) in order that we might meet the otherwise over whelming demands placed upon us. But what of those who áre not called to marry and have families? The ques tion is often asked how their need to be loved and to experience affection is to be fulfilled. May I suggest that the great heart of God’s love is such that can be known or experienced. Paul prayed for the Believers that they might “know” the love of God that passeth knowledge. He was seeking that they, as he (un married) might truly experience the love of God. In Jeremiah 31:3, we have the assur ance that the love of God is an un wavering love: “. . . I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness (or affection) I have 12
The Need to be Loved (continued) for our souls, our minds, and our emo tional natures has God provided if, with open minds and hearts, we simply sit at His table and feast! The first message was a brief dis cussion of the problem of guilt and the manner in which prayer permeates the matter and yields essential results. Now in the second of this series, we must turn our attention to another of these basic anxiety-causing factors which psychologists call the need to LOVE AND BE LOVED! Indeed, one psychologist has said, “Love is the very crux of personality” (Angyal, Andras, Foundations for a Science of Personality). Dr. Karl Men- ninger, noted psychiatirst, in a book entitled “Love and Hate,” in which he deals with the importance of giving and receiving love, has said, “Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence . . . Love is the medicine for the sickness of the world.” Another practicing psy chologist has said, “To be able to give love and receive love in return is the most convincing sign of maturity.” How very important this is to healthy emotional development! And how very foundational it is in the entire fabric of God’s Word! And the Bible, in a very real sense, is a love story. It’s sixty-six books have been given to us that God loves us! Indeed, as John 15:13 states, this love surpasses anything known to man, for “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Paul, in Romans, tells us that He loved us even when it was impossible for us to reciprocate, and compares this to earthly love by saying, “God commendeth his love to ward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:7, 8). What is perhaps even more im pressive is that according to the verses that follow, Christ keeps on giving Him self for us in love, by the infusion of His very life in a way that it is difficult for us to comprehend. Indeed, such love has He for us that we are told in Ephesians it “. . . passes understand ing . . .” (Eph. 3:19).
GOSSIP TOWN
"Falsehood Bay," Are fadened with "Don't you Tell!" In the midst of the town is "Telltale Park;" You're never quite safe while there. For its owner is "Madam Suspicious Remark," Who lives on the "Street Don't Care." Just back of the park is "Slanderer's Row;" 'Twas there that "Good Name" died, Pierced by a shaft from jealousy's bow, In the hands of "Envious Pride." From "Gossip Town," peace long since fled But trouble and grief and woe, And sorrow and care, you'll meet instead, If ever you chance to go. But it is not healthy in "Gossip Town," And I will not follow you there, I would rather live on "Thanksgiving Street," In the house that is called "Alt Prayer." loved. Again, in these hours of deep grief we may turn to our God who is able to fill the vacuum which has been left, with His own encompassing and filling love through communion and fellowship with the Lord in prayer. Is not this what the Psalmist meant when he said, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Psalm 62:5). And we refer you to Psalm 63:1 for the words, “0 God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” This same thought is what the Psal mist has in mind in Psalm 42:8 when he sets down “Yet the Lord will com mand his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” But God not only supplies His own (Continued on next page) 13
Have you ever heard of "Gossip Town." On the shore of "Falsehood Bay," Where old "Dame Rumor," with rustling gown, Is going the livelong day? It isn't far to "Gossip Town" For people who want to go; The "Idleness Train" will take you down In just an hour or so. The "Thoughtless Road" is a popular route. And most folk start that way; But it's steep down grade— if you don't look out— You'll land in "Falsehood Bay." You glide through the valley of "Vicious Talk," Turn into the "Tunnel of Hate." Then, crossing the "Add-to Bridge," you walk Right into the city gate. The principal street is called, "They Say" And "I've Heard" is the public well. And the breezes that blow from The Need to be Loved (continued) drawn thee.” If I understand the truth of this Scripture at all, I am convinced that God’s affection for us can be ex perienced as a reality of sensory percep tion. But there are many married situa tions where partners are unhappy, homes where love is one-sided or where love is gone. There are many wives whose husbands no longer love them, and husbands who no longer feel the love of their wives. If you are a Chris tian and find yourself in such a sit uation, God has an answer for you: your prayer life and your deep com munion with Jesus Christ can be every thing you need for emotional stability and health. Psychologists tell us also that situa tions of extended grief, resulting from bereavement of our loved ones, are bas ically an attack upon our security, cut ting us off, as it were, from feeling
hay, and stubble and will not stand the test of true Christian service. We may well grasp the fact that the need to be loved, when not forthcoming from human sources, may be found in a life poured out in service for Jesus Christ and genuine fellowship with His own. There are few things as reward ing and heartwarming as the grasp of the hand of one whom you have been privileged to lead to a living fellow ship with Christ. And it is in prayer that God speaks and calls us to service. We shall let the Bible be its own illustrator of this fact. Of the many instances we would focus your thinking upon the Apostle Paul, as in prayer God spoke and called him first to Damascus, then to the desert. During an extended time of per sonal prayer God also called Paul to his ministry in Macedonia — Acts 16:9 —where in a prayer meeting — Acts 16:13 — the Church was born. Later, Paul addressed the Church as “dearly beloved and longed for” (Phil. 4:1). There are many individuals, who through circumstances and tragic child hood experiences, have been robbed of their capacity to give or to receive love adequately. At this point Psychology and Psychiatry must admit defeat Dr. Gordon Allport writes, “Love, incom parably the great psychotherapeutic agent, is something that professional psychiatry cannot in itself create, focus, nor release.” (The Individual card His Religion, p. 80, MacMillan Co. 1952) When psychiatry reaches its defeat, then God stands ready with the answer. In I John 4:8 we read, “He that lov- eth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.” And again, “Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God.” The Scripture teaches that when we come into a living relationship with Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5) “. . . the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit . . .”, and He is the very One who makes intercession for us in prayer; He is the neverfailing supplier of the love we so desperately need! With a genuine love for God in our hearts comes the completion in a full life of service for Him. 14
The Need to be Loved (continued) love for our waiting hearts, but pre pares us through regeneration and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and brings us into a most wonderful fellow ship with other Believers. In the church where Christ is exalted, it can be said as it was of the early church, “Behold, how they love one another!” Yet, how many Believers cut themselves off from this fellowship by not identifying with local groups of Believers. "When Thou Passes* Through The Waters" When thou passest through the waters Deep the wayes may be and cold But Jehovah is our refuge. And His promise is our hold; For the Lord Himself hath said it, He, the faithful God and true: "When Thou comest to the waters Thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH." Seas of sorrow, seas of trial,. Bitterest anguish, fiercest pain; Rolling surges of temptation Sweeping over heart and brain — They shall never overflow us For we know His Word is true; All His waves and all His billows, He will lead us safely through. Threatening breakers of destruction, Doubts, insidious undertow — Shall not sink us, shall not drag us Out to ocean depths of woe. For His promise shall sustain us. Praise the Lord, whose Word is true; The need to express love is also im portant to our emotional maturity and well-being as Christians. Love is to be expressed toward God as the underlying motive for all Chris tian service, as Paul indicates in II Cor inthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ constraineth us . . .” Any ministry for Christ, that is not rendered on the basis of our love for Him is counted as wood, We shall no' go down or under, For He saith, "Thou passest THROUGH." — Annie Johnson Flint
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Panel Discussions
(Interesting questions sent in by radio listeners)
A. Micah 5:2 indicates that the Mes siah of Israel would be bom in Bethle hem and in Luke 2:11 we read — “For unto you is bom this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" — reading back we see that verse 4 mentions Bethlehem as the point where they stopped for the night. So from the angle of His birth, Bethlehem is the city of David. But more often in the Old Testament, the City of David is the city of His rule which is Zion. Turn to II Samuel 5:7 — “Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David.” It will be of interest to our readers to know that Bethlehem, in its entirety, is in the Jordanian side of the Holy Land, and Mount Zion is in the hands of the Israeli Government. Q . What is the status of these two cities as to progress? A. Bethlehem, with its sacred associa tions, is but little more than a village, and moves along at a quiet pace. But Mount Zion overlooks the new city where the beautiful King David Hotel stands out, and is visible from the air. Also, the tower of the YMCA looms high and the building is accounted to be the most beautiful YMCA building in the world. Zion on the western side of the Jordan is revealing a tremendous amount of expansion!
Q . Yucaipa, California — “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee” — Psalm 91:7. A. To our Yucaipa listener, may we say that we believe she should take this verse as one of the general prom ises of God and claim it for her son, as he is sent into battle. However, we must always keep in mind the sovereignty of God and how He works in His permissive decrees for our good and His glory. Now some times these decrees may eliminate the promise here, and there are those who fall at the hand of the enemy. We think of John and Betty Stam, of sainted memory, who fell into the hands of Chinese bandits. And then there is the long procession of Christian martyrs. But we would say to a mother who is sending her son to the battlefield that she has a right to claim this prom ise and live therein, not forgetting the sovereignty of God. Q . Richmond, British Columbia, Canada — “What should be my answer when someone asks how I know I am saved?” A. This is not some great emotional feeling that we must possess at the time we come to accept the Lord as our Saviour. We read in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” There is a conviction that the Holy Spirit gives to us that we are the children of God, that we are saved. But in the final analysis, it is based entirely upon the promises of God and they stand absolutely sure!
Q . Eugene, Oregon — “While I realize that we have no accurate picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, would the fact that He was a Nazarite form the basis for so many non-Christians picturing Him with long hair and beard?” Q. Kingsburg, California — “Is Bethlehem A. While we do not know exactly how or Zion the City of David?” (Continued on next page) 15
to teach that individuals in the minis try are the only ones who can speak the final word of remission of sins or forgiveness. “Whose soever sins ye remit” 1— Here the Lord Jesus Christ is stating as plain ly as He can that power is being given from Him to declare the conditions on which forgiveness is granted. When we preach we say that if you will trust Christ, all your sins will be forgiven. We are not forgiving the sins. We are indicating to them on the basis of the Word of the living Christ, that if they will meet His conditions, then forgiveness is theirs. That is precisely what is meant here in John 20:23. It is not confined to some kind of an eccle siastical, ministerial or clerical group. Please notice when our Lord spoke these words, there were men in that company other than the Apostles. Q. Gold Beach, Oregon — “Some minis ters refer to a Psalm as chapter so and so — others say they are not chapters but rather numbered Psalms. Which is proper?” A. Well, either is true for we have 150 chapters or 150 Psalms composing ■the longest book in the Bible. If you want to call it Psalms, my dear friend, then call it Psalms, if there are those of your friends who want to call it chapters — then that is all right, too. I do not think there is any harm done in either case. Q . Monmouth, Oregon — “Does Acts 3:19 mean that there are just certain times when a soul can come to Christ?” A. No, there are all manner of times when a soul can come to Christ. Actual ly, if you will put this down it will answer your question. II Cor. 6:2, “. . . behold, now . . .” — anytime of the day or night, for this is still the age of Grace, Thank God! “Behold, now is the accepted time, Behold now is the day of salvation.” * * ¥ "The Devil may wall you round a- bout, but he can never roof you in. Keep looking up!"
Questions and Answers (continued) our Lord looked, we do know that He was probably the most manly man who ever lived — this, because, of course, sin had not affected His body in any way whatsoever. Many of the Jews wore long hair and beards — not only the Nazarites; but, since our Lord was a Nazarite this might explain the reason, in part, for the conception of various artists. Q . Seattle, Washington — “May we ask what is your estimate as to haw long man has been on this earth?” A. An article in one of our national magazines quotes no less an historian than Arnold J. Toynbee as saying, that man’s sojourn on earth couldn’t be much longer than 6 or 7 thousand years. To consider other extremes of mil lions and millions and billions of years would naturally be nullified by the present population of the earth. I believe if we take a figure on the more conservative side, under 10,000 or somewhat over 6,000 — we are in a safe realm. Q . Tillamook, California — “What is go ing to happen to the little children and the unborn when Christ comes to take His Believers w ith Him?’ A. Scripture gives us general move ments and trends. .1 would say right from the beginning that the little chil dren will not be left here to endure the conditions of the Tribulation. There is nothing in the Word of God to indi cate that the little folk are implicated in that judgment from God on a Christ- rejecting world. As to the unborn, I do not know; we leave those details with the Lord! Q . Salem, Oregon — “W ill you please explain John 20:23 which reads, “Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” A. There is a passage in Matthew 16 which is somewhat like the above and has been taken, erroneously, by some
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INTRODUCING
Arizona Bible Institute leaders
Mr. Paul Eymann, Registrar (left), and Mr. Edwin Rogers , Dean of Students.
Dr. W. H. Rogers , Executive Administrator
Mr. Rogers with his wife Margaret, Dean of Women. Eymann and Dr. Rogers discuss A.B.I. development. ■ j l - w i f i i n t i f l Mr
|j Biota's five Schools: i Arizona Bible Instihite Bible Institute of Los Angeles Biola College School of Missionary Medicine Talbot Theological Seminary
EXPANDED BIBLE STUDIES FROM TUESDAY-THURSDAY PROGRAMS
A Summary o f First Thessalonians^ by
Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church, I, W est Covina, .¿ m S F
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Studies
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or our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance . . (I Thessalonians 1:5a). ERDMAN — “In writing the First Epistle to the Thessalonians, St. Paul was reliving the experience of founding a church in the first century. Paul was living at Corinth (Acts 18:1, 3) near the end of his second missionary jour ney. Timothy had just returned from a mission . . . of instruction to the in fant Thessalonian church and had brought . . . the good tidings of their faith, their love of St. Paul . . . As a result, the encouraged Apostle preached the Word with great liberty at Cor inth, and almost simultaneously sat down to write the Epistle to the Thes salonians in which he thanked God for their faith . . This church was as im portant to St. Paul as a newborn baby is to its parents. NEWMAN — “This Epistle is the first writing of St. Paul which is con tained in our Bible and it is possibly
the first of all our New Testament writ ings. The only possible exceptions are the Epistle of James and the Gospel of Matthew. . . . This brings us in close touch with the doctrine and life of the primitive church . . .” NEIL —- “Here the mystery religions thrived . . . and, as Lightfoot suggests, . . . may have included foul orgies in connection with the worship. The pag an attitude to sex relations was ex tremely tolerant . . . and in some re ligious societies, sacramental fornica tion was a part of the worship, for it was supposed to lead the participant into mystical union with the Deity.” The city was a free city, ruled over by those who were elected by the peo ple. Into this heathen community of mor al indifference, materialism, and false religion, came the Gospel to create a holy Christian community — doubtless small at first but influential, for not only common people, but some of the leading personages of the city believe 18
tiles. It was at Tarsus, the rival of Ath ens in culture, that the Apostle pre pared for his mission to the Gentiles. This period of preparation was ended when Barnabas came and summoned him to Antioch to assist in a revival which was taking place among those of the Gentile community of that city. Somewhere around the year 45 A.D., Paul and Barnabas were ordained as missionaries and set apart to the great Call of God! "Rest"
the Gospel (Acts 17:4). A great multi tude of Greeks also embraced the faith and a strong church was founded. The phases of experience of this little church, in relation to the world, are given in detail in the Epistle. The phas es are: the birth of the church, the growth of the church, the testimony of the church, the detractions of the church, the church and anti-Semitism, the sufferings of the church, the Lord’s return for His Church, prayer for the church, and the holiness of the church. These subjects we will follow in the studies ahead. We have made this choice of study with the basic conviction that these Epistles have a tremendous contribu tion to make to the modern church when understood, and when their mean ing is appropriated. Our text describes the birth of that church — “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance . . .” Here we see the entrance of the Gospel into Thessaloni- ca, the experience of the Gospel by the Thessalonians, and the effect of the Gospel upon them. The fact that the Gospel had entrance to the Thessalonians is the important thing, for it is the event which trans formed that city and gave habitation to the Church of God. When did this occur? We have al ready stated that it occurred on the second missionary journey. Stevens, in ■his Studies On The Epistles, des cribes the events which preceded this in the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul must have been over thirty years of age when he was converted on the Damascus Road, or he would not have been entrusted with so important a mission by the Sanhedrin. Following his conversion, he sojourned for three years in Arabia, clarifying his • own thinking under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and making his beginnings in preaching. He returned to Jerusalem for a few days before leaving for Tar sus. It is interesting to note that Paul was oalled to be an Apostle to the Gen
Does the Gospel-word proclaim Rest for those who weary be? Then, my soul, put in thy claim, Sure that promise speaks to thee: Marks of grace I cannot show, All polluted is my best; Yet, I weary am, I know, And the weary long for res*. In the ark the weary dove Found a welcome resting place; Thus my spirit longs to prove Rest in Christ, the Ark of Grace. Tempest-tossed I long have been, And the flood increases fast; Open, Lord, and take me in. Till the storm be overpast. Safely lodged within Thy breast. What a wondrous change I find! Now I know Thy promised rest Can compose a troubled mind. You that weary are like me, Hearken to the Gospel call; To the ark for refuge flee, Jesus will receive you all!
— John Newton The First Journey through Cyprus, Pamphylia, and lower Asia Minor, pro bably took several years. After this journey, they participated in the Jeru salem Council to clarify the content of the Gospel. Almost immediately after that, Paul began his Second Missionary Journey— accompanied by Silas, a Hebrew Chris tian —*which took him through Gala tia, where he added Timothy to his party. Then Paul went westward to Troas, where apparently Luke joined his party. From there, the little group, in answer to the Macedonian call, went (Continued on next page) 19
I Thessalonians (continued) to Philippi — certainly not later than the autumn of 52 A.D. Here their min istry was ended by a severe beating, imprisonment, and finally deliverance with an invitation to leave the city. The group made their way in a south westerly direction to Thessalonica. Here they went to the synagogue of the Jews and began to preach the Gospel, “Op ening and alleging (out of the Scrip tures), that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus . . . is Christ” (Acts 17:3). Paul declares that he preached the Gospel unto them in much agony (I Thess. 2:2). This was approximately in the spring of the year 53 A.D. For three Sabbath days, Paul entered the synagogue of the Jews and reason ed with them out of the Scriptures. As far as the Scripture implies, this is the length of his stay in Thessalonica, but it would seem that a longer time would be necessary to convert some of the Jews, the chief women of the city, and proselytes and heathen to be turned from their idols to the living God. On the other hand, Paul’s reference
to the power of the Gospel may imply that the time was very brief. But the final repudiation of the doctrine by the Jews and the subsequent riot, drove him from the city. The very success of the mission is the reason why the Jews opposed the Apostle. Luke says they were “. . . moved with envy . . (Acts 17:5). Missionaries, through the years, have faced similar obstacles, yet have established churches among most of the peoples of the world. The point of contact of the Apostles with the people was the synagogue. Here the people are described as “. . . having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (I Thess. 1:6). Their affliction arose from those who rejected the Gospel; their joy arose from ■daily receiving the Gospel and experiencing the work of the Holy Ghost in their hearts. Thus, both Paul’s opportunity and opposition stemmed from the same point, namely, the synagogue. Paul’s physical condition is referred to in I Thess. 1:9. He reached Thessa lonica in much Dain due to the beat-
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