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Chapter 14
THE
ONLY REMEDY...
A certain
religious paper relates the following interesting story
about three newsmen who went to three different churches
on a certain Sunday and later got together to exchange
their experiences with one another. “One of them dressed
rather shabbily and proceeded halfway down the church
aisle. After church was dismissed he went to both exits
and stood where he could be seen by hundreds of
worshippers but only two bothered to shake hands with
him and only one was concerned enough to ask him his
name. The second reporter attended a church on the
outskirts of the city where the minister gave a
passionate appeal for subscriptions for world missions.
He responded by giving $25.00 and told the congregation
he would like to have the kind of religion the minister
was talking about. When the service was over five
members shook hands with him and thanked him for his
donation but no one spoke about his request for
spiritual help. The third reporter dressed in his
“Sunday best,” and because of his particular name the
members of the church he attended thought he belonged to
a certain clothing manufacturer’s family who bore the
same name. He related how he met everyone “worth
knowing,” got 20 invitations to dinners and was asked by
the minister to come back the following Sunday and
address the congregation on “Religion in Big Business.”
We often
hear people say they have no time or no use for religion
but very frequently they mean they have no use for the
kind of religion they see manifested by many who profess
to be Christians or who are affiliated with some
particular denomination. There is something deep down in
the heart of most men that longs for reality. Sometimes
it is necessary to ignore their protests, which are
often a refuge to cover up their own shortcomings, and
keep in mind that there is only one remedy that
satisfies man’s innate longing for peace with God. The
fact that men so often point out the faults of
Christians and the failings of churches merely proves
that they expect something better than average from that
source. The church must meet that need or it fails in
its most sacred trust.
The
following true story graphically illustrates how Christ
is the only remedy for man’s need. A certain fine
Christian family moved to a distant pioneer district in
which there were no church services being held. After
considerable lapse of time their former pastor called on
them for a visit. After they had visited for some time
the father of the family suggested to the minister that
they call on a neighbor who had cancer and who was not
expected to live very long. Together the two went down
the road and entered the place where the sick man was.
He was a
comparatively young man and had not been married very
long. He had just built a new barn and had the lumber
piled nearby with which to erect a new house for which
he had the basement already dug. He was a good worker
and was well respected in the district. All his plans
received a rude shock when a tooth which he had had
extracted became infected. Although he went to the
doctor it was only to learn that the sore had turned to
cancer and that he had but a short time to live. With a
sad heart he returned home and soon had to go to bed and
there await the dread summons of death for which he had
made so little preparation.
When the
minister entered the home with his friend the wife of
the man greeted them courteously at the door. Not
knowing whether they belonged to any church or not the
minister told who he was and explained, “We came to
visit your husband and we wondered if you would mind if
we talked to him about his soul?” To this the woman
warmly replied, “Why, no, I would be glad if you would.”
She then led them to the sick room where there lay one
of the saddest and most pathetic sights one could
imagine. The dread disease was in its last stages and
the man was suffering intense agony.
“I suppose,”
said the minister sympathetically addressing the
stricken man, “you know you may not have very long to
live in this world.” “Yes, I know,” said the man weakly.
“I am wondering if you are prepared to meet the Lord
when the call comes.” the minister continued. “I don’t
know,” he replied. “But you would like to know?” queried
the minister. “Yes,” was the simple reply. “Then you can
know,” said the minister confidently.
With that he
told the simple story of the cross and of how Christ
came to die for us—the story that has so often been told
before. It was not long until the man realized his need
of the Saviour and together they called on God for
deliverance from sin as he embraced Jesus Christ as his
Saviour and Lord. Despite the ravages of the disease
there was an unmistakable change in the man. A deep
settled peace came over him and he found new joy through
forgiveness and the assurance that all was well with his
soul. Death no longer held any terror but was a happy
release from his physical suffering. In less than two
weeks the call came and he went victoriously to be with
His Saviour. Christ was the only remedy for this man.
When death
is near men are not interested in politics or economics.
It will do no good to expound the latest scientific
discoveries, or relate the formation of new societies
and better working conditions, even the prospects for
world peace. All such things are of relatively little
importance to a man about to pass into eternity. But one
need fills the entire horizon of his thoughts and that
is the need of a Saviour. Christ is the only remedy. But
if Christ is the ultimate need of man in the time of his
departure into eternity, then we should recognize Him as
our immediate need to meet all the issues of life. Men
are frantically striving to get more of the good things
of this life and there is continual sorrow and
disappointment and unrest. Jesus said, “Seek ye first
the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33.
Man’s basic
need is a spiritual one. The heart of man will never
rest until it discovers the heart of God. Solomon said,
“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with
silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase.”
Eccl. 5:10. “Things” in themselves cannot satisfy the
cravings of the human heart. One of the most beautiful
stories in the ministry of Christ is told in Luke
10:38–42 where he visited the home of Mary and Martha
and Lazarus. You remember how Mary sat at Jesus’ feet
and communed with him while Martha prepared the meal.
This apparent indifference on the part of Mary irked
Martha until she complained to the Lord and asked Him to
tell Mary to help with the work. Jesus replied, “Martha,
Martha, thou are careful and troubled about many things;
but one thing is needful; and Mary has chosen that good
part, which shall not be taken away from her.” vv. 41,
42.
This is just
another way of saying that “things” cannot satisfy and
that the only ultimate peace the human heart can know is
through knowing Jesus Christ and having communion with
Him. Although Paul suffered the loss of all earthly gain
and all physical comfort, yet his life is one filled
with cheerfulness and contentment. Two Scriptures give
us the secret of his abounding victory. In Phil. 4:11 he
said, “Not that I speak in respect to want; for I have
learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.” Again in 2 Tim. 1:12, “For I know WHOM I have
believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that
which I have committed unto Him against that day.” No
person and no persecution could rob Paul of the
fellowship with Christ which began on that memorable day
when the Lord came into his life on the Damascus road.
Having Him, Paul had everything his heart longed for and
the fulfillment of every hope. Christ is the only
remedy!
Chapter 15
HOW TO
AVOID PITFALLS AND BACKSLIDING...
To backslide
means to lapse morally or to fall from grace. Many
indeed have experienced backsliding and sad to say not a
few have failed to return unto the Lord. Let us examine
some of the causes of backsliding and offer some helps
to prevent it.
(1) Neglect.
Someone has well said “If we neglect the means of grace
we will wake up to find that grace itself is gone.” In
Hebrews 2:3 we read, “How shall we escape if we neglect
so great salvation.” Frequently we apply that text only
to unbelievers but neglect affects any one. To become
careless and indifferent about one’s prayer life and to
fail to read the Word of God invites backsliding. Where
possible one should attend church and prayer meetings
regularly. Fellowship is a great help to anyone trying
to live the Christian life. These factors together with
Christian service are a source of grace, and to neglect
any of them brings on spiritual backsliding. We can very
seldom find time for worship. We must learn to take
time.
(2)
Double-mindedness. James said that “A double minded man
is unstable in all his ways.” Jas. 1:8. Jesus said to
Peter when he was sinking in the water, “O thou of
little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matt. 14:31.
The word “doubt” used here actually means “to squint” or
to look both ways. As long as Peter kept his eyes on
Christ he could walk on the water but when he looked at
the waves he began to sink. To be double-minded is to
look longingly at the world. It is the opposite of that
singleness of mind or heart required of Christians who
would follow the Lord closely. A double minded person is
always wavering not settled or established. Consequently
one who becomes double minded is lacking in purpose and
therefore invites backsliding.
(3) Failure
to serve or accept responsibility. This may take many
forms. The underlying principle of following Christ is
to serve God and your fellow man. It is a grave mistake
to think of getting saved merely for us to gain heaven
and escape hell. Heaven is a reward for faithfulness at
the end of the journey. We cannot fold our hands and
just wait for heaven. Christianity produces character
and the Christian serves God not for rewards but because
it is right. Let us name a few of the ways in which each
person can serve Christ.
First of all
is by witnessing to what He has done. Jesus said,
“Whosoever therefore, shall confess Me before men, him
will I confess also before My Father which is in
heaven.” Matt. 10:32. Another good text to remember is
Rom. 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth
the Lord Jesus …” This is perhaps the first way we can
serve. Another way in which we can serve is through
giving our means. Money raising in the church is not
based on begging but on stewardship. Remembering that
all we have comes from God we simply acknowledge our
indebtedness to Him and return a portion of what belongs
to Him. Usually Christians give a tenth of their income
although many give more. Giving is one way we can serve
because money represents our toil and makes possible the
toil of others in the gospel. A third way in which we
can serve is by accepting opportunities to teach, sing,
or help out in a general way. Often the indication that
one is called to preach is first seen in the interest
one shows in sweeping and dusting out the church and
endeavoring to make visitors welcome. The opportunities
of service are very broad and so we will not mention any
more but leave the reader to figure out ways in which he
or she can serve best.
(4) Failure
to walk in the light. The apostle John said “If we walk
in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. As a Christian
continues to follow Christ he will learn new
responsibilities and also become aware of certain wrong
habits which must be given up because they lead away
from Christ. Peter tells us to “Grow in grace.” 2 Pet.
3:18. The Christian life is not stagnant. We will not
attempt a catalog of these duties or dangers, because
each person is inwardly made aware of them when the
gospel is preached or when private devotions are being
kept. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “Convict the
world of sin, righteousness and judgment.” When we are
thus convicted of righteousness we must “walk in the
light,” otherwise we come into condemnation and to
remain there will eventually lead to our downfall. This
is particularly true in the matter of making
restitution. If you have wronged someone or have stolen
anything be sure to make it right. Luke 19:8, 9. The
foregoing causes of backsliding are by no means all that
might be listed but they give a general idea of what to
beware of. On the positive side we might mention many
ways and means of ministering spiritual help to grow in
grace. Testifying should not be confined to the church
alone but one should always take his stand as a
Christian wherever he is. This can be done in a
dignified way without being offensive, but in order for
it to be effective it must be done without compromise or
temporizing. Obtain a supply of tracts and give them out
when you can or place them in letters. Visit some sick
friend. Write a letter to a Christian who is isolated
and who does not have the opportunity of going to
church. Give a Testament or Bible to someone who does
not have one and encourage him to read it. Practice the
idea of partnership with God putting into effect the
words of Paul, “We then, as workers together with Him.”
1 Cor. 6:1. To be a worker WITH God elevates the life
and dignifies service. We are not just working FOR God
but WITH Him. As you endeavor to serve you will see
countless other opportunities where you can do things
for God. You will be amazed at what you can do when you
try and the consequent growth in spirituality and grace
will be very satisfactory to you and encouraging to
others. Just follow the instruction given in 2 Pet.
1:5–10 and you will surely succeed.
There are
however, certain perils or pitfalls which every
Christian must watch. A peril is that which exposes one
to risk of being hurt or lost; a pitfall is a snare or
trap. To fall into a snare will undo all your good
influence and often pervert God’s grace to an unworthy
purpose. One of the most insidious and dangerous of
these snares is wrong doctrine. Backsliding is bad but
usually it just affects the person who goes back, like
Demas of whom Paul said, “For Demas hath forsaken me,
having loved this present world.” 2 Tim. 4:10. This was
indeed sad but the damage done by Demas is small
compared with 2 Tim. 2:17–18 “And their word will eat as
doth a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who
concerning THE TRUTH HAVE ERRED, saying that the
resurrection is past already; AND OVERTHROW THE FAITH OF
SOME.” Wrong doctrine leads to shipwreck and affects
many others in addition to the one who first goes
astray. 1 Tim. 1:19. Shipwreck is a peril to be avoided
at all costs, whether on the sea or in the Christian
life.
It is
difficult to give explicit warning of the nature of
false doctrines and heresies here but we can lay down
some general principles to follow:
(1) Wrong
views of Christ and the Atonement. It is the fatal flaw
of all cults and erroneous doctrines to introduce a new
teaching about the Person of Christ and the efficacy of
His atonement. Some claim He was not eternal; some that
He is not God; some say God created Him in the
beginning, while others claim He only began with His
birth into this world. Some claim He did not rise from
the dead and others claim that His atonement was only
for certain people, not for all. There are almost
innumerable ways in which these views are presented but
they all arrive at a similar conclusion, namely that
Christ is less than God and that atonement does not
provide full salvation from sin in this life. All such
doctrines are, of course, to be rejected as
unscriptural. Anything that takes away from the Person
of Christ automatically minimizes the merits of our
salvation.
(2) Wrong
ideas of punishment. When the devil tempted Eve in the
garden, he said, “Ye shall not surely die.” Gen. 2:4.
This same statement has been echoed through the years by
many who teach the devil’s doctrine that God does not
punish sin. The Bible clearly teaches that “The wages of
sin is death.” Rom. 6:23.
(3) Emphasis
on what some “great” man says, or on some particular
thing you must do. This error has almost limitless
variety. Some lay great emphasis on Saturday as the
Sabbath day. Some say “you must speak in tongues.” Some
say you must join a particular church while others are
against all organized churches. It is freely admitted
that there is an element of truth in practically all
these claims but there is also a fundamental error.
Anything that divides some of God’s truly born again
people from others so that they cannot have fellowship
with one another is not of the Spirit of God because He
makes us all one in Christ Jesus. 1 Cor. 12:13. The body
of Christ is ONE body. Anything that lays more emphasis
on us and what we do than it does on Christ and what He
has done is pointing in the wrong direction. The perfect
harmony existing between Jesus Christ and the Father is
the pattern of the unity which Christians are to have
with one another. John 17:20–23.
The safest
plan to follow in dealing with errors is to pray for
guidance with an open and honest heart. John 16:13. Do
not rely on notes or explanations alone even though they
may be written in some Bible at the bottom of the pages.
Such notes are the work of some man or men who are
trying to teach their personal view of what the Bible
teaches. Read the Bible itself and form the habit of
comparing Scripture with Scripture as you will find in
the marginal references. Remember that TRUTH never
changes. It is eternal. Jesus is the Truth concerning
God. Our worship must exalt Him. You are always safe to
follow His plain teachings. Avoid obscure texts and
symbolism until you have learned the gospels thoroughly
first. Do not build your doctrine on isolated texts if
you are not sure of the meaning but rather on the plain
Word of God. Above all remember you are not saved by
“texts”. It is Christ Who saves. Paul said, “I know
“WHOM” I have believed.” Keep your eyes always on Him
and you will avoid the pitfalls that engulf so many
zealous people into perverted and often detrimental
beliefs. Right doctrine will produce righteous lives and
will glorify Christ.
Chapter 16
THE
CHRISTIAN’S HOPE...
“Christ in
you the Hope of Glory.”—Col. 1:27.
We have been
going along together with our lessons for some time. Now
we have come to the end. We trust you will have found
some food for your soul and some ideas to benefit your
Christian service. As we approach our last lesson it
seems fitting to glance briefly over the road we have
gone.
We have
discovered the Bible to be the most wonderful of all
Books. A little tract of poetic beauty that has been
circulated under the title of “Why read the Bible?” has
this to say: “This Book contains the mind of God, the
state of Man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners,
and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy,
its precepts are binding, its histories are true and its
decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it
to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains
light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to
cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s
staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the
Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven
opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its
grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God
its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and
guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and
prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of
glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life
and will be opened in the judgment and will be
remembered forever. It involves the highest
responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will
condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” Author
unknown.
We have
learned of the Plan of Salvation, of man’s hopeless
condition and of Christ, the only sufficient remedy. The
great purpose is to get men reconciled to God. We have
been learning about God, and about serving Christ more
effectually. But there is still much more to learn and
you should study continuously along with practical
experience. Add good books to your library, such as a
concordance, a Bible dictionary and biographies of
famous Christians. Good books of sermons are also
profitable reading.
However,
remember that the Bible is our chief textbook and no
other book should take precedence over the Bible.
Many have
the idea that Christianity is a matter of getting ready
to die. There is an element of truth in the statement
for it does prepare men to meet God. Col. 3:3 says: “Ye
are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” But
though we are dead to the world, we enter into a much
richer and fuller life. Jesus said, “I am come that they
might have LIFE and that they might have it more
abundantly.” (John 10:10). In 1 Tim. 4:8 Paul said: “But
godliness is profitable unto all things, having the
promise of the life that NOW IS and of that which is TO
COME.” The fundamental purpose of Christ is to save men
and teach them how to live.
The
strongest contrasts are used to distinguish between the
Christian life and that of the unbeliever. One is light,
the other darkness; one is life and the other death; one
is under a righteous power; the other evil. Romans 6:23
says “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God
is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Perhaps
the best definition of eternal life is “union with
Christ.” He is the source and expression of eternal
life. It is a gift from God received at conversion and
retained through faith. John 8:30–31. We must,
therefore, take heed and hold fast to Christ. Read the
warning in Col. 2:6–9.
The future
of the Christian is very bright. Some day all mankind
will be gathered before the Great White Throne of God.
The rich and the poor, the black and the white, the high
and the low, will all be there. There will be just two
groups there, the followers of Christ will be on the
right hand and those who rejected Him will be on the
other. The shout of gladness that will resound through
the courts of glory when the righteous hear of their
reward will exceed all imagination. For Jesus Christ
will say “COME ye blessed of My Father …” Matt. 25:34,
and then the Hallelujah chorus of Eternity will begin. A
corresponding wail of dispairing grief will rend the
heavens as the sad doom of the unbelievers is pronounced
in irrevocable terms, “Depart from Me ye cursed into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels.” Matt. 25:41. The Bible offers no future hope
for the lost.
Heaven is
the home of the Christian. To be with Christ throughout
eternity is a reward worth all the suffering and
persecution of a few short years down here. But the fact
that many will be lost should spur us to do our very
best to win the lost to Christ by every means possible.
Death is the
last of all enemies to be destroyed. (1 Cor. 15:26). At
the present time both Christians and sinners have to
pass through the experience of death but there is a
marked difference in how each meets that separation.
Listen to the triumphant victory of the Christian in the
challenge “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where
is thy victory” (1 Cor. 15:55). Can you answer those
questions? This dread monster of death has defied all
our hopes and baffled all our ambitions. It has mocked
our strength but now at last it has lost its sting and
the grave has lost its victory. For when Christ saves
men from sin He robs death of its sting (1 Cor. 15:56)
and rolls away the stone from the tomb so that it is no
longer sealed. The grave no longer shuts us in. With the
Psalmist we can say, “Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” The
sinner has no such hope. 1 Thess. 4:13. Christ is the
Christian’s hope. 1 Tim. 1:1.
We all like
stories that end well and the Christian life does end
well. It is always in order to repeat Isa. 3:10 “Say to
the righteous it shall be well with him.” In view of the
fact that there is so much to gain by being faithful and
so much to lose by becoming careless, it seems fitting
to close this study with the admonition found in 1 Cor.
15:58. “Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for
as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the
Lord.
SAYINGS ABOUT THE BIBLE...
W. E.
GLADSTONE: “I have known ninety-five of the world’s
great men in my time, and of these eighty-seven were
followers of the Bible. The Bible is stamped with a
Specialty of Origin, and an immeasurable distance
separates it from all competitors.”
DANIEL
WEBSTER: “If there is anything in my thoughts or style
to commend the credit is due to my parents for
instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures. If we
abide by the principles taught by the Bible, our country
will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our
posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man
can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and
bury all our glory in profound obscurity.”
HENRY VAN
DYKE: “Born in the East and clothed in Oriental form and
imagery, the Bible walks the ways of all the world with
familiar feet and enters land after land to find its own
everywhere. It has learned to speak in hundreds of
languages to the heart of man. Children listen to its
stories with wonder and delight, and wise men ponder
them as parables of life. The wicked and the proud
tremble at its warnings but to the wounded and penitent
it has a mother’s voice. It has woven itself into our
dearest dreams; so that love, friendship, sympathy,
devotion, memory, hope, put on the beautiful garments of
its treasured speech. No man is poor or desolate who has
this treasure for his own. When the landscape darkens,
and the trembling pilgrim comes to the Valley named of
the Shadow, he is not afraid to enter; he takes the rod
and staff of Scripture in his hand; he says to friend
and comrade, “Goodbye, we shall meet again”; and,
confronted by that support, he goes forward to the
lonely pass as one who walks through darkness into
light.” [ The End ]
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