the younger generation a genuine commitment. It cannot simply make a profession. Important as that is, there must be authenticity that will stand the pragmatic tests applied by the authoritative declaration of the good news of the Gospel. Only the redemptive message of forgiveness, through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the cross, can resolve the problems of guilt, alienation, and despair that trouble so many of to day’s college students. Only the church has this message. Jesus Christ, as Lord and Master, provides the ideal that this generation has fearfully sought in its political and religious leaders. It is precisely be cause the Christian message has in some instances been obscured by in consistency, pettiness, and preoccupa tion, that many of our finest youth in despair have turned to other ide ologies. At the moment they may seem more genuine and offer more immediate opportunities for involve ment. Our faith needs no defense, but rather exemplification; not com munication, but the articulation pro vided by convinced believers; no au thority but that given by God Him self. Properly understood and accept ed, the Gospel is the one hope of the coming generation where all else has and will fail. Admittedly, we live in a day of problems. Yet, even more so, it is a golden day of opportunity. The church has been called to be a wit ness for Jesus Christ. Let it not fail in sharing this with today’s college student. He will find such truth chal lenging his mind, satisfying his emo tional needs, and summoning him to a high and holy commitment. Then he will be adequately prepared and equipped to meet the staggering, tem poral, and eternal needs of today’s secular world, because he will have the power and resources to be found only in our sovereign Redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord.
FAITHFUL FORGIVENESS These are days when tempers often have a very short fuse. Have you ever said or done anything in a flare of anger you wished you could have un done? Lives can he wrecked as a re sult. While riding along in a train, a Christian struck up a conversation with a rather nervous fellow seated next to him who frankly explained that some year8 previously he had run away from home. He fought with his father and slipped into a life of sin. Although he longed to return, he felt unwanted be cause of his waywardness. He had be come sick of his debililated life, and de cided to go home to those who had really loved him. He sat down and wrote a letter to his now aged parents. “Yet,” he explained, “I didn’t know whether they’d want me.”He decided not to wait for an answer, anxious only to get home. He told in his letter that if it were all right for him to return, they should hang a white rag from a limb on the apple tree down near the railroad tracks. This way he could see it from the train. It would be a signal to turn, or to keep on going by. The Christian was deeply touched by the poor fellow’s sincerity and confusion. He was able to testify to him about the wonderful for giveness which is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, even though family and friends may not forgive us for some wrong. As they neared the wayward man’s home, he became increasingly nervous and disturbed, asking his newr found friend, “Would it be all right if I closed my eyes as we go by my home? Perhaps you would look to see if there’s a white flag. That way maybe I won’t be so disappointed if there’s not one hanging there.” Moments later, they passed the home, and the Christian ex citedly announced to him, “Look quick ly; open your eyesl See what I see! Why, there’s a white rag on every limb of that tree! What a welcome home you’re going to have!” What a pic ture this is of our Lord’s forgiveness. How blessed it is to know that His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners ■Christ died for us. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
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