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Why do the Heathen Rage? These essays were written over a period of thirty years and originally appeared in more than sixty newspapers nationwide. The author, who chose to remain anonymous, was a prominent Christian businessman in the Atlanta area. He entitled his columns "Why do the Heathen Rage?" and used this question from Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 as a basis to comment on the events of the day. He believed that Psalm 1 promised blessings to the faithful in Christ, but Psalm 2 and Acts 4:25 asked a critical question and answered it with a prophecy of cursings and judgments upon the heathen; those who rebelled against the laws of God. Truly a prophet in his own time, the author received thousands of letters from his readers. However, at times, newspapers would refuse to print his column or prefer to edit it because of his outspoken condemnation of evil in government, literature and individuals who supported unbiblical practices.
Bob Hill, Editor Evangelical Review  TOPICAL INDEX
General Themes MAY 04, 1963
There was a man named Cain. He came to worship God and brought an offering. God did not want what he brought and would not accept it. Cain got mad. Cain killed his brother Abel. The final outcome of Cain's worship was a curse and not a blessing. -- Genesis 4: 3-12. Nadab and Abihu were invited to make a command appearance before The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, even Almighty God. So with Aaron their father and Moses and seventy of the Elders of Israel they climbed Mount Sinai, and there "They saw God, and did eat and drink." After this marvelous and supernatural experience they went into the Tabernacle one day to worship. They made an offering that was unacceptable to God -- an offering of "Strange Fire!" The fire of God leaped on them and burnt both to death. The outcome of their worship on that occasion was a curse, death, and not a blessing. Read about it in Exodus 24: verses 1, 9, 11; and in Leviticus 10: 1-3. King David, the man after God's heart, in moving the Ark of God had a new cart made and hitched oxen to it. God had commanded that it should be moved only on the shoulders of the priests and Levites. The oxen stumbled! An attendant named Uzza caught hold of it. God struck him dead! 1st Chronicles, 13th chapter. No doubt the intentions of both David and Uzza were good, but profaning of that which was sacred brought a curse instead of a blessing! King Uzziah was one of Judah's greatest kings. He reigned fifty-two years. He sought to obey and please God and was greatly blessed, together with his people and nation. There was great prosperity, much business and great advancement made in agriculture, and especially military science, inventions and fortifications. He had a great and powerful army that put down all their enemies. His name spread far abroad over the then known world. He was respected and feared. He went into the Temple one day to worship. He forgot his place and undertook to worship in his own way, though warned and withstood by the priests. God struck him there in the Temple in his act of worship. Struck him with leprosy! He was taken out and put in a pest house where his body rotted until life left it! 2nd Chronicles, chapter 26. Moses met God at the "Burning Bush." God said, "Put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place where thou standest is holy." - Exodus 3: 1-6. God appeared to Joshua before the city of Jericho and Joshua said: "What saith my Lord unto His servant?" The reply was: "Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place where thou standest is holy." Joshua 5: 13-15. The only record we have of Christ striking anyone physically when on the earth in the flesh were those whom He lashed with a whip of cords and drove out of God's House for profaning and misusing the sacred place. John 2: 14-17. Read Acts 5: 1-11 and learn of another judgment of God upon a man and his wife who tried to enter the Church with ulterior motives, rather than "repentance towards God, and faith towards The Lord Jesus Christ" -- both of them struck dead for "lying to The Holy Ghost . . . and tempting the Spirit of The Lord." Peter said it was because Satan had filled their hearts to lie to God! Jesus Christ was the only one ever born into this world who could pick His place of birth. He chose an animal stable, the manger, doubtless because the world hated him (John 7:7) and He knew "there was no room for Him" and He was not wanted. After speaking in the synagogue of the town where He spent most of His life as a carpenter, they took Him out to throw off a cliff, and later He said: "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests, but The Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." In Mark 5:17 we read: "And they began to pray Him to depart out of their coasts," and He got back into the ship and left. He left when asked to! In Luke 14:10 He gives these instructions: "When thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room." It appears that Jesus Christ left and stayed away from places where He was not wanted. Romans 8:9 says: "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." John 4:21-24:
"Keep thy foot when thou goest to The House of God, lest you offer the sacrifice of fools." Ecclesiastes 5:1. General Themes APRIL 24, 1965 Recently there were reports in the papers of the law authorities having trouble somewhere here in Georgia with folks promoting rooster, or cock-fights. This brought to mind a story: Some man had a rooster tooted to be the champion, and willing to meet any and all comers. A great fight was promoted. The arena around the cock-pit overflowed with customers, most of whom bet their money on the highly advertised "champion." At the proper time "champ" was thrown into the cock-pit. He looked his opponent over, and refused to fight. On the contrary, the confound thing went over into a corner, sat down, and "laid an egg!" The chain reaction following this story made me think of many things, far apart, and very different. Thought of a picture in the newspapers a few days ago, and of a news item I read a few minutes ago, then The President, of Isaiah the Prophet, of Napoleon, of John Wesley, of Hannibal, and one thing Hannibal did made me think of words of Christ, and these words of Christ made me think of Moses, St. Paul, Martin Luther -- but I must stop somewhere. You can judge whether my effort to connect all these together make any sense, or might be profitable. The picture I saw in the newspapers were some "young roosters" sitting down in the streets around the White House "laying eggs." Eggs of cowardice, saying, "Don't fight, quit!" They were attempting to block the path of The Commander-in-chief of the armies, navies, air force, and other military forces of the nation designed and provided to the protection of our land, lives and liberties! Mr. President in taking charge swore to use them for these purposes. Young roosters, sitting down in the streets laying eggs, snake eggs, viper eggs, scorpion eggs! Isaiah, the great Prophet, must have looked down the corridor of time thousands of years and foreseen our day when he wrote:
"The lapse of church discipline was a certain symptom of social and political anarchy!" God used Hannibal to scourge the Roman Empire. Said a historian:
In Psalm 138:2 we are told: "God magnifies His Word above all His Name." Surely, the implication is plain and forceful. that God blesses in a special way the man who "magnifies his own word, his own promises, the vows he makes." Is there anything greater that any man ever does than to make a promise to God Almighty? Is there anything worse that any man ever does than to neglect, break, and reject his vows to God? It could be that the gifts and talents bestowed on Hannibal by God which made him one of the most remarkable men that ever lived, were rewards for faithfulness to the vows he made at nine years of age! Consider the vows you made to God in joining His Church! Consider the vows that millions of our young people have made to God in joining His Church! "There is a cause" for the condition our nation is in, young and old, clergy, statesmen, educators, etc. "The curse causeless shall not come." Moses was faithful to his vows: He refused to be called the son of Pharoah's daughter, choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God. He endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Great gifts, talents, and power he received from Heaven, and what a blessing to mankind! The Apostle Paul said: "I was not disobedient unto the Heavenly Vision," and how he has blessed the world through the ages! And time would fail to tell of Martin Luther who defied all the powers of the world and devils, ecclesiastical and temporal, in order that he might be faithful to his vow to God. Surely, you and I would be better off, our community, our country, and our world, if we set in order and keep our promises to God in good order. General Themes JANUARY 27, 1973
"And much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil!" Eccles. 12: 12-14.
Yes, the God of the New Testament is a jealous God. Jesus Christ said: "I and My Father are One." And "Before Abraham was, I am!" Even the same as God revealed Himself to Moses at The Burning Bush. In Malachi 3-.6 God says: "I change not!" Don't stay in His Church and try to change Him. It were better that a mill stone were hung about your neck and you were drowned in the sea! Do not expect the parties to agree who strive to preserve the lives of murderers, rapists, traitors, etc., etc. "Be sure your sin will find you out . . . 0, That they would consider their latter end!" Often indeed is the peace and comfort of families blighted, children prove profligate and prodigal, and a series of untoward circumstances blast their prosperity; when if you were permitted to read their history, you would find that sin lay at the door -- some conjugal unfaithfulness -- some previous marriage contract unfilled -- some plighted faith violated -- some youthful trifling with affections -- some grievous indiscretion and guilt to be atoned for. The histories of families not unfrequently furnish the most melancholy illustrations that family sins are visited by family afflictions, defections in parental restraint, by the insubordination and licentiousness of children, and extravagance, intemperance, or skepticism of parents; by immorality and profligacy in children. Surely by this time those who read this Column have learned the "heathen" are those who set themselves against the Commandments of God Almighty and His Anointed, The Lord Jesus Christ; and that all the heathen are not in the far away places and jungles. Several times friends with the desire to be helpful have suggested a change in the name of this Column. Wonder if unconsciously they too resent the negative of God's "Thou Shalt Not!" What use have you for a servant that won't carry out orders? "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46. True Faith follows after Perfect Obedience. General Themes AUGUST 25, 1963
Christ said of Himself: "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath Day." Have we not taken away His Lordship of the sacred Day and turned it over to the Kings of Sport, the world, the flesh, and the devil? Also, do we not almost boast that we have nearly done away with the Death Penalty commanded by The Almighty, and are saving the lives of murderers, rapists, whoremongers, homosexuals, and others whom God commanded His people to put to death and send their spirits back to Him who gave them? We will not take time to speak of our heavy and growing crop of crime, thieves, liars, coveteous, etc.
"And God is angry with the wicked every day -- The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the 'Nations' that forget God!" Psalm 7:11 and Psalm 9:17.
"Of making many books there is no end -- let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter [of life and death]; Fear God and keep His Commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, With every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12: 12-14. "Now therefore, fear The Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and truth -- and if it seem evil unto you to serve The Lord, choose ye this day whom ye will serve -- but as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord." Joshua 24. 14-15. General Themes AUGUST 31, 1974
According to our appraisal King David is certainly not a man "after the heart" of most professing Christians. Once upon a time I overheard two friends, both probably considered by others and themselves as "sound in the faith," talking about David. One remarked David did some things that seemed mighty strange to him. On first thought I rather agreed, but on second thought I decided I better keep my thoughts and mouth shut regarding David. Will mention one or two of these second thoughts: When God Almighty turns the light of His Holiness on all my life as His Word does on David's life, on my deeds, actions, thoughts, ambitions, jealousies, coveteousnesses, etc. -- and that time is coming, and might be nearby -- expect David might look at my record and say it seemed to him that I did some "strange things," especially concerning my lack of repentance, restitution, and fruit worthy of repentance! David would doubtless consider our doings "strange" concerning our lack of courage to fight present day "lions, bears, Goliaths and other Uncircumcised Philistines of apostacy, crime, rape, adultery, sex abnormalities, etc.!" Did you know that? The Bible says that in only "one" thing David turned aside from that which God commanded him? -- 1st Kings 15:5. Probably most of the things David did that seem so strange to us today if we knew and believed God's Word and Judgements, we would understand that he was obeying and carrying out God's orders, which we rage at and reject today! The hearts of the men of Israel belonged to King David. God raised him up to deliver them from all their enemies. His great military victories brought them liberty, peace, and prosperity, and made him the idol of the nation. However, they got deceived, believed a lie, with the result of the damnation of civil war and great slaughter among the people. We call attention to 2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12, where we are told God sent a delusion to folks who loved unrighteousness that they might believe a lie and be damned.
The Great King's Son, "idol of the eyes," stole the hearts of the men of Israel, deceived them, caused them to believe a lie, and to be damned with civil war! How did he manage to accomplish this stupendous task, and turn the nation against their deliverer and national hero? The 15th chapter of 2nd Samuel tells the story: The hero's son, winner of all the beauty prizes, idol of the eyes -- especially that "head of hair," got himself horses and chariots, and fifty men to run before him - imagine that sight and its effect on the " beatles and teenagers!" And he got up early in the morning to "strut his stuff!" He did not "waste his gas" riding about in folly and foolishness. No, indeed. With these fifty men running ahead of his chariot, he charged down to the city gate to make war on "poverty, injustice,, and uphold civil rights!" My! How he did love the people, justice, and "what have you!" When folks came to the Capital City to see The King, he introduced himself -- without needing any, being a Royal Prince, and inquired about their controversy:
The New Deal, The Fair Deal, The New Frontier, The Great Society, are not new wrinkles! Absalom started a Great Society about 3,000 years ago. So will all Societies end that steal men's hearts from The King of Kings, The Lord Jesus Christ, God's Word and Precepts! Even Judas Iscariot showed concern about the poor - the waste of money on ointment for Christ that might have been given to the poor! What effect does our concern for the poor have on our "own" pocketbook and bank account? God is not deceived! General Themes JUNE 15, 1963 One day many years ago a man was riding his mule down the road on a trip to visit a King. This was one of the modes of travel in those days for even great men, and this traveler was indeed a great man, internationally known and famous as a wise man and prophet. Recently the peoples of the world watched and followed with great interest the journeys of the astronaut around the earth in outer space, earth watching a man's journey in the heavens. Those who read this are invited to watch a short trip of a man going along one of earth's roads. "He that sitteth in the heavens" was watching this trip, and was so interested and concerned that He sent down an Angel to be a "roadblock" -- and there is good Scriptural ground for thinking this Angel might have been none other than Christ Himself. See 1st Cor. 10:4 -- Am of the opinion that it will do our world much greater good and benefit to watch this man and his mule on their trip, and so let us go along with them in our mind's eyes. Man and beast appear to be contented and happy and each occupied with their own thoughts. The great man was probably thinking with much pleasure and anticipation of the great honors, riches and rewards promised him by the King who had invited him to come and do a job, a job that would not tax his physical energies too much, for all that would be required of him would be that he should do some "cussing" -- curse Moses and his people whom God had delivered from the bondage of Egypt and Pharoah, probably the most powerful king of that day and generation. Have heard a story about the devil going fishing -- imagine it was on The Sabbath, or The Lord's Day -- he baited his hook with a bottle of liquor and soon caught a drunkard; next with a deck of cards, or dice, and shortly had a batch of gamblers; he caught the biggest fish of all when the bait was money, silver, or gold: the covetous, avaricious, the greedy of gain, etc. -- did you know that the Bible says "the greedy of gain" trouble their own house? Often those who are "greedy of gain" excuse or justify themselves on the ground they are seeking to benefit and better provide for their house, home, wife, children, and their future welfare, but God says you are making trouble for your own house. The devil's fishing was just fine until he ran out of bait. He decided to try his luck with no bait on the hook, quickly got a strike, and pulled up a fellow "cussing! " God's Third Commandment says:
As to the mule, probably his thoughts and anticipation also were very pleasant as she looked forward to visiting royal stables, keeping company with ass royalty and nobility, and with them eating the King's fodder and other fancy feed. Suddenly, however, these happy and contented travelers became upset and greatly disturbed: For no apparent reason the mule became frightened and turned out of the road into the fields. For a long time the master had owned this mule and ridden her on many trips, but she had never acted like this before. He whipped her, and as he was an expert at "cussing" probably used some harsh and bitter words that made the mule's long ears burn to their nethermost tips! He got her back in the road and things went along o.k. for a time, until they came to a place where the road was narrow and a wall or fence on each side. Here the mule became frightened again, and in trying to get out of the road, mashed the rider's foot or leg against the fence! She had to take another beating with the whip, and another lashing from her master's tongue. They resumed their trip again, but doubtless both man and beast were troubled and their happiness and contentment had departed. They came to a place of one way traffic where the road was so narrow there was no room to turn to the right or left. Here the mule laid down with the rider on her! A third awful flogging with the whip followed, together with more sharp, cutting and choice "cussing," which continued until the ass began to talk with man's voice! If I had been the rider I think I would have gone away from that place, changed my mind about which way to go, and even though I had plenty of time on my hands, would have gone away in a hurry, that is, if I could have without being cut down by the unseen visitor! -- Suddenly the rider quit his beating and cussing the ass and joined him on the ground, falling flat on his face, for he saw what was causing the ass to balk; there standing blocking the road was The Angel of God with His sword drawn.
The Tenth Commandment:
General Themes MARCH 13, 1965 Are you concerned and troubled about the great increase in lawlessness? Violent hold-ups, stealing, cheating, swindling, murder, rape, adultery, and other kinds of violence and anarchy! At times these things strike mighty close to our homes, loved ones, and friends. And they will get closer unless some change is made. In the days of Noah God destroyed the earth and everything wherein was the breath of life excepting the eight members of Noah's family, and the animals he kept alive in the Ark according to God's orders. The cause of this judgment was for causes similar to the ones that exist today: "Man corrupted God's way on the earth, and the earth was filled with violence." With good reasoning and logic, it has been estimated there might have been four hundred and eighty billion people that perished -- over a hundred times as many as now living on the earth! (We digress again to suggest in this column man had better leave the matter of "birth control" in the hands of The Almighty, where it belongs, lest He say of us what He did of one man: "It had been good for that man if he had not. been born!" Matthew 26:24. We remind you that God says in His Word "If we fear God, and keep His Commandments, the whole duty of man," God has engaged Himself to bless the "fruit of the womb" and take away sickness; also, to bless the fruit of the ground in order there might be plenty to eat. Hear the words of the Man after God's Heart: "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Psalm 37:25. Of course, however, unbelief and disobedience makes null and void these precious promises. It appears there is very little confidence in them today, with most of us!) "My Spirit shall not always strive with man --" The Almighty announced in the days of Noah, and sent the flood. Gen. 6:3. It may be the time has about arrived when His Spirit will quit striving with you and me. Until that time comes we would do well to remember that Christ told us to do some striving:
We call attention to another judgment and visitation of God upon corruption and violence. This was by means of a vision, probably foretelling things shortly to come about in the city of Jerusalem. In the 9th chapter of Ezekiel, we read:
Pay day, some day is coming. In closing, we quote two passages of Scripture in which God tells us how we can get rid of evil: First is from Isaiah 26:9-10: "When God's judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: In the land of uprightness will He deal unjustly --" This is meant especially for those who have God ordained authority to keep law and order, and put away evil. Of course, there is no hope here when such authorities are themselves in rebellion against the judgements of The Almighty! The Second is from Jeremiah 23:21 where God says if the prophets, even though He did not call them to prophecy, would stand in His Counsel and cause His People to hear My Words: "Then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings." The application here is especially for the clergy, preachers, teachers, parents, and all who claim to be Christian. Who is to blame when wickedness grows and abounds, becomes rampant and worldwide, and the stench of man's vileness mounts up to heaven! General Themes OCTOBER 27, 1962 "For such a time as this!" To how many who claim to be . . . Christians does this quote mean anything? Maybe we are unduly critical and pessimistic but doubt if one in ten know its Scriptural setting and context. Jews ought to know. Could hardly expect Catholics to know, since their spiritual food is not only rationed, but also predigested. If you want to eat that way, it is your privilege in this land of freedom, and in some other countries, but think it is "command food" in parts of the world today. In the centuries past we are told that great numbers of martyrs perished for refusing to eat "command food!" "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, and with the wine which he drank." Daniel ate that which God told him to eat, and it surely "paid off." The great world dictator King fell on his face before Daniel and worshipped him, and at another time he made a decree that if any people, nation, language spoke anything amiss against The God of The Hebrew children they should be cut in pieces, and their houses made a dunghill. Another King clothed Daniel in scarlet, put a chain of gold about his neck, and proclaimed him third ruler in the kingdom. The great King Darius made him President of the 120 Princes that were over the whole kingdom. Daniel spent the night in a lion's den in company with an angel of God who made the lions as harmless as kittens! During his life time great world rulers rose and fell, one went crazy and lived the life of a beast for a time -- we got a lot of folks like that all about now -- others were slain, but "Daniel continued even until the first year of King Cyrus." Daniel's influence and faith continue still to bless all generations of mankind who have learned of him and to trust his God. It is not too big a job to get to know him today, just get familiar with the first six chapters of The Book of Daniel. Get the facts in your mind, so you can think on them after you close the book. For the present, maybe you better not spend too much time on the last six chapters or you might get in water over your head and drown! Read them, but be careful about interpreting until you grow a little more. Martin Luther speaking of Predestination, advised not to "fly too high" into the Celestial mysteries of God lest you fall and break your neck, for it is better to abide by the "swaddling clothes" of the manger until you grow a little more strong in faith and knowledge. The "diet of Daniel" together with his steadfastness of purpose was the secret of his great success, aside from the fact that "The Lord had laid His hands on him" and he was a chosen vessel. Martin Luther chose the "diet of Daniel." He tells of how some years after he became a monk he found a Bible. He devoured it, reading it over and over again. His fellow monks told him he would be worth much more to their order if he would quit reading that Book so much, get a sack and go out in the city, and beg food and others gifts for the monastery. -- Thank God they were not able to pull him away from "The Book," for his life and testimony changed the course of history, and has done more to bring liberty to the individual and nations than probably any other one thing since the days of the Apostles! Some historian has truly said that we are all a different people and living in a different world because of his teaching and testimony. The noted French historian, Michelet, though a Catholic, was a great admirer of Luther, and he acknowledges in the preface of his "Life of Luther" that he was indebted to him for the liberty he enjoyed of writing as he wanted to. 445 years ago next Wednesday, Oct. 31st, Luther nailed some papers to The Church door challenging the religious "status quo" of his day. He was judged a heretic by The Church and tried. The unusual punishment for the condemned unless they recanted was death by fire at the stake. At the Diet of Worms -- this does not mean the eating of worms, but here diet means a great deliberate Assembly, and Worms was the name of the city where it was held -- at this Diet, Luther was tried and condemned. "There were present at the Diet, besides the Emperor, six electors (governors), one archduke, two landgraves, five margraves, 27 dukes, and numbers of counts, archbishops, bishops, etc., in all 206 persons. (Surely the Supreme Court were all there, just called by some other name at that time. You boys who "tear your shirt" these days when one questions or resists its judgements should take note of this). Expecting to have to go to the stake and burn alive, Luther stood his ground against the whole bunch -- he had some friends in the crowd. He said to The Emperor and the rest of the crowd: "It is not safe to go against The Word of God and conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other, God help me." God did help him, and delivered him, and they failed to get him to the fiery stake! He has spoken to all generations since in his great song "A Mighty Fortress;" "Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still; His Kingdom is forever." We who call ourselves Protestants are supposed to "follow in his trail!" The first recorded words of Christ after His baptism were. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew and Luke 4:4. The Creator of life, The Preserver of Life, The Redeemer of life, ought to know that which is essential for man to live, is it not so? Towards the close of His ministry, Jesus said to The Church and national leaders:
Did not get to comment on "Such a time as this" in particular. You can find it in its setting and context in the 4th chapter of The Book of Esther. General Themes NOVEMBER 10, 1962 "The fundamentals of vice are sensuality, pride and ambition, and avarice." Sensuality is "the doctrine that gratification of the senses is the highest good, indulgence of bodily appetites, carnal gratification." Are we not in this great and blessed country, now building on these foundations, and have rejected "The Firm Foundation laid for The Saints of The Lord in His Excellent Word?" If so, we had better look out for the "lightning to strike!"
The Lion of Violence: Riot, rebellion, rape, murder and violence of all sorts and description stalk the globe in our days! Some of the most miserable and hypocritical violence of the present and recent times has dressed itself up in the garb of "Non-Violence," and even taken the name of God in vain and calls itself "Christian!" And many, if not the majority, of the great men of our government, our educational and ecclesiastical institutions, are lending their support and power and influence. "That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." so said Jesus Christ, God, just before telling of the dead rich man's trip to hell and his reception there! We "do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the Power of God!" Do we even know the ABC's of Christianity? Here they are, consider them? "A" -- Abandon self. "B" -- Bear the Cross. "C" -- Come after me, Jesus Christ, God! "A" -- Abandon Self: The first thing the would be follower of Christ is called upon to do is to "deny self." "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." and with these words Jesus turned back one follower. Another said: "Lord, I will follow Thee, but first let me go home and bury my father." The answer he got was: "Let the dead bury the dead, but go thou and preach the Kingdom of God." And to still another who said he wanted to follow after he had attended to some other affairs: "He that putteth his hand to the plow and looketh back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven." Someone has written and expressed himself as believing that most of our present-day "revivals" are a farce! There are grounds for such an attitude; we call folks to join the church, accept Christ, without teaching and impressing upon them the ABC's of The Faith. "Break up your fallow ground; sow not among thorns; sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy!" "B" -- Bear the Cross: Cross-bearing does not mean just patiently enduring the aches and pains and disappointments and losses more or less common to all men in the flesh, but rather the Cross of Christ means the rejection and suffering at the hands of an evil world, men, and devils because of their hatred and rage against the righteousness and holiness of God, His Word, Moral Law, Ten Commandments, the Bands, the Cords of restraint He has placed to hold us back from His wrath and the pit of hell! In John 7:7 Jesus said: "The world hates Me, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." Have we forgotten, or did we never know it, that when Jesus began His ministry and went back to His home town of Nazareth what He said made the folks so mad that they took Him out of town to throw off a precipice? But they did not know who they were fooling with, and He just walked away and left them! Do we know Who we are dealing with in our churchanity? We think we believe in Christ! Test it out with the question He asked in John 5:44: "How can ye believe, which receive honour of one another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" "C" -- Come After Me: If we have not learned the C's in the ABC's of Christianity, it is because we never really learned the B's; and if we never learned the B's, it is because we failed to learn the A's -- abandon, deny self. In The Sermon on The Mount Jesus said:
Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dream recorded in the second chapter of The Book of Daniel. He told him that he and his kingdom were the "head of gold" of the great image he saw in his dream. Probably that put the notion in the king's noodle to make the great image of gold we are told about in the third chapter, and to gather all the great ones of his empire to its dedication, and demand that they all fall down and worship it when "the band began to play." There were three men present, friends of Daniel -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to disobey their God and bow down to the king's idol, although warned if they did not they would be thrown into a furnace of fire! But let them speak as "they said to the king, 0 Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, 0 king. But if not, be it known unto thee, 0 king, we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury -- he commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind S.M., and A. and cast them into the midst of the burning fiery furnace -- and these three men -- fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. "Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and said unto his counsellors, did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, 0 king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like The Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then S., M., and A. came forth out of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors being gathered together saw these men upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them!" That was a pretty good crowd of witnesses to a mighty good bomb and fallout shelter, is it not so?
 W. M. Religious InfoNet ¤ Box 456 ¤ Forest Lake, MN 55025 Email: kevin@waltermartin.com Phone: 651-307-1507 |