Right with God
GrOD’s work for the multitude begins with the individual.
“Thou must be true thyself,
If thou the truth would’st teach.”
Not long ago I heard the Rev. Charles Cuthbert Hall, D. D., preach to young people from the text which is found in I Timothy, the fourth chapter and the twelfth verse. In speaking of the perilous times in which they lived Paul said, “Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” (I Timothy 4:1-3). And in Dr. Hall’s text Paul is telling Timothy how to oflfeet this iniquitous condition, ‘< Let no man despise 45 thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (i Timothy 4: 12).
Timothy was to be an example in ward that is in speech or what he said.
In conversation that is manner of life or what he did.
In charity, that is opinion or what he judged.
In spirit f that is influence or what he represented.
In faith, that is conviction or what he believed.
In purity that is character or what he was.
If we are to be used of God there must be close heartsearching.
The individual life must be right “Search me, oh God, and know my heart, try me and know my thought.” This Scripture is intensely personal.
It is said that the Saturday night before the Passover when the house of every Jew was searched for leaven and everything was made clean, the faithful Jew went through this formula, “And now if any leaven abides in this house it is here against my will.” This must be our position regarding sin.
TTie social life must be right. In second Kings the twentieth chapter, Hezekiah the king has had guests in his home and Isaiah the prophet came to him with this startling question, “What have they seen in thy house?” It will be necessary for us if we would be right with God to ask ourselves this searching question, “How is it in our homes in the matter of family religion and the influence of parents over children?” How is it with regard to the position of questionable things to say nothing of those which are positively sinful? How is it with regard to the atmosphere of the home, is it for Christ or against him? How is it with regard to the papers we read and the books in our library? If he should walk through the house would he put his finger of disapproval upon any of these things, if so they must be put away.
The public life must be right Every man’s work shall be tried of what sort it is, not his private ministry only but his public service, the sermons he has preached, the work he has done, the influence he has exerted, all these shall be tried by fire and the day shall declare them.
There ought to be an examination of our motives for service. Let the minister say, “Why am I in the ministry, it is simply that I may do good to others, then have I not missed Paul’s idea when he said, * Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel.’” He did not say, “Woe is the heathen if I preach not.”
What is my supreme desire in the matter of service?” Let every Christian ask himself this question. Is it for self-glory or praise, or is it to honor him? And yet let it not be forgotten that there may be too much introspection.
I look around but soon become distracted. And ponder over life’s suffering and wrong When shall be righted all earth’s sad disorder? When be fulfilled the angel’s herald-song?
“I look within, my spirit is contracted.
Shrivelled and puny when self-occupied; With what dismay I see my imperfections I How much within to make dissatisfied 1
“I look above — my eyes are then attracted. By one at God’s right hand, divine and hit. And as I look my soul finds satis£ax:tion. Ah! let me gaze forever, only there I”
If we are to be used of God in evangelistic effort let us remember that there must be.
First: The presentation of the whole being to Christ as our master and king.
Second: An abandonment of every known sin, of every weight that hinders holy living and of everything that is found to be displeasing in God’s sight.
Third: Acceptance by faith of the Holy Ghost as God’s gracious provision for holiness of life and for power in his service.
Fourth: A continuous dying unto self that Christ may be all in all.
Fifth: A realization of the indwelling presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sixth: A separation unto God for personal service in the salvation of men and the evangelizing of the world. There is a call to-day for workers and the fields are white unto the harvest.
I think it is true, however, if we study the matter carefully that the call is not so much for sowers as for reapers. He has sown the seed in his sacrificial death and we have but to thrust in the sickle and then come rejoicing bringing our sheaves with us.
Let us not underestimate the ordinary means of grace, let us not imagine that no work is to be accomplished unless some distinguished preacher is our leader. Let us not fail to put honor on the Holy Spirit, let us not be neglectful of believing prayer and let us above all things not be unmindful of his gracious promises.