This Present Evil World (continued) hopeless and helpless, there is the Gospel message, given in that God looked down from heaven and had mercy upon us. He could have de stroyed us all most justly. Do we as believers really appreciate what God has done in giving us freedom and deliverance? When I went to visit Sing Sing pris on it was necessary for me to wait until some electric switches were thrown so that large doors would open. While I stood there, the steel portals opened and from the inside a pale and wan looking man walked out, rather hesitat ingly. It was soon obvious who he was as he jubilantly exulted, “Hallelujah, I’m free. I’m no longer a prisoner. I’m free, free, free!” I think I realized for the first time what deliverance really means. This man knew first hand. While he had been a prisoner, now he was released. The trouble with most of us is that A WASTED LIFE Father, I scarcely dare to pray. So clear I see, now it is done, That I have wasted half my day, And left my work but just begun. So clear I see that things I thought Were right or harmless were a sin; So clear I see that I have sought, Unconscious, selfish aims to win. So clear I see that I have hurt The soul I might have helped to save, That I have slothful been, inert, Deaf to the calls Thy leaders gave. In outskirts of Thy Kingdom vast. Father, the humblest spot give me. Set me the lowliest task Thou hast, Let me repentant, work for Thee. — Helen Hunt Jackson (written four days before her death) we enjoy our sins to such an extent that we are unconscious of the fact that we are prisoners of them. God in His mar velous grace has set us free by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on Cal-
DR. RALPH L. KEIPER Dr. Keiper is Editorial Research Director for the Evangelical Foundation, Philadel phia, Pennsylvania. He will be in the West ern States on a speaking itinerary during January through June of 1964. vary’s cross. Since by nature we are sinners, we, on our own, could never stand in the holy and righteous pres ence of God. When the Lord Jesus Christ came, He paid the full debt of our sins and set us free forever. So in the midst of “this present evil world” we can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full, of glory because we know our sins are forgiven. When you ask yourself, “What’s this world coming to?” also be sure to ask the question, “What am I coming to; where am I heading?” “It is appointed unto men once to die and after this, the judgment.” God has determined and set a date. Every man has an en gagement with the Almighty. All of us will .meet God. Are you ready? You will either need to meet Him by your selves, alone, or you can meet Him with your Attorney, the Lord Jesus Christ,*at your side. By faith, why not accept Him as your Saviour now? 4
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker