On Being A Spiritual Christian
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
– Isaiah 40: 28-31.
Are we offended when told we can fly? I think not, but some are slow to recognize that figures of speech or syntax are used to enhance the language. There is an art in talking which enables us to say what we mean and then mean what we say. The Bible uses our language and takes advantage of every aspect of this art. The words of Isaiah illustrate well the care which our Lord shows to His people. He was rebuking those who did not respond. Had they not heard? Did they not know that God is alive? He is concerned about us and desires to give us every advantage, overcoming in us or through us any disadvantages which time or circumstances may have thrown in the way.
Why do we not believe that God is, indeed, God? He knows us better than we know ourselves. He sees and knows every plan, every desire, every move we make, and every time we hesitate or refuse. He is there for His people. The trouble with us is that we have views too narrow, too limited concerning our God. We do not realize that he is able to see and know and He cares!
I do not hesitate to say that the problem is in us, not in God. Is it, then, that we have a wrong view as to what He expects in His people? How many, even Baptists, have allowed themselves to think that God has a set of rules, or laws, and our only responsibility is to live within the narrow confines of certain restraints on our activities. Are we thinking as children, that he has told us every move and so we merely are concerned to stay within the limitations of the rules?
How about a life of freedom in which we may choose a course, or walk astray? Has it occurred to us that God desires our good in all things, and will allows us to go astray when we are not remembering that God has an "all seeing eye"? Or a worse scenario, one in which we are to take heed only in the light of what others think. In fact, why do we think so much about what others do, and then check self and see if we are doing better? Is this not a wrong course?
Wait! Are we not to be concerned about our brethren? About our neighbors? Yes, for we see the pattern in the life of Jesus, but it was never with a view to comparing our righteousness with the other man. Love other men, yes, love our brethren, specially? But is this not too difficult? I get the impression that we do not see this idea of love in the law given to Israel in the Old Testament.
If we think of being religious as being spiritual, and if this thinking has settled for a set of rules as the measure of our religious nature, then is not love estranged from our religion? This may be an opinion that I have sensed in many Baptists. Their religion is largely without feeling or emotion, but is rather legalistic, satisfied with forms and routines of a religious nature.
Just what do we feel is a proper definition of spiritual?
Is All Religion Spiritual?
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:23-24).
Just What Does This Mean?
Many ideas cloud the issue because people have different ideas about the meaning of Bible terms. Depending on the level of society, it may be explained that what is intellectual is spiritual. Others feel that music should be described as spiritual. In certain areas of the U. S. Negro religious folk songs often dealing with Biblical themes and characterized by fervor and vigorous rhythm are spiritual. Some even think of religious or church matters as spiritual. Such diversity of thought leaves us with necessary restrictions on the manner in which we take verses of Scripture like that above in John's Gospel.
What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth? If we do not know how can we please him in our worship? Perhaps it is simpler to understand what is the meaning of "in truth," than the meaning of "in spirit." In truth carries the sense that it is in accordance with the True God (Jer. 10:19), not an idol, not hypocritical (1 Thes, 1:9), not a pretense, revealing an experience which we can know (Jn. 17:3; 1 Jn. 5:20).
By observing passages which speak of things "in spirit" we get the feel of the Truth in our experiences. Such is reflected in humility (Pr. 29:23; Mt. 5:3); in patience, not pride (Eccl. 7:8). It shows in a correct attitude toward God and His Word (Mt. 22:43). It was "strong" in the boy Jesus Lk. 1:8; 2:40). This spirit was in Him the essence of revealing the Father (Lk. 10:21). Are we not beginning to see that it is that disposition which makes God's will and His Person meaningful in our lives? We have not mentioned the Holy Spirit, but obviously He is the active person of the Godhead who works God's will out into sight, so human beings can sense Him in a close and meaningful relationship. This relationship comes from walking by faith. It is more than the step of accepting Jesus as Savior, but a disposition to follow him, obey Him and serve Him.
Most believers, those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior, would say that they are serving Him when they go to church, when they read the Bible or engage in activities that emphasize Bible Truth and practice. Is it not necessary that we take an open stand in these things, identifying ourselves as believers and disciples, following Jesus example in our lives, and openly testifying as to our faith in Him? Yes! It is this open activity that identifies our service.
Some things are to be done secretly, like the giving of alms, or closet praying (Mt. 6:4, 6), others more open for others to see (Mt. 5:16; Lk. 12:8). We would not think of denying Christ before men, but when we stay quiet and do not reveal our position, it is the same as denying Him (Mk. 8:34; Tit. 1:16). False teachers allowed, false doctrine taught, and certain ungodly practices are said to deny the Lord (2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 1:4). Our denying His works, by refusing to admit they are true, is a form of denying the Lord.
A Mixed Up Story
As I searched references for an example of God's practice and the contrary practice of His chosen people, Israel, I began to think that the story was mixed. Have God's chosen people presumed that the sins of Israel were forgiven as though they were light, not serious, or was his blotting out of their sins rather an evidence of His great grace?
"And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city" (2 Kings 17:9). I thought of David's heinous sin against Uriah the Hittite (2 Sam 11:3). Now note God's dealings with David for this deed: "For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die." (2 Sam 12:12-14).
When we read one of these stories which show us God's anger toward His people, and then see how quickly He put away the sin, do we dare feel this means that God excuses our sins. No. (See Rom. 2:4: "And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" It tells us that He is gracious, even beyond the ordinary and puts away our sins for His own glory and to get us to see His great grace and give him glory for it. By no means should we conclude that our sin is not serious in His sight, because he quickly forgives. Do we observe that David lived under the cloud of his wrong marriage the rest of His life and the stain of it beclouded his reign all the way through. How many other lives it influenced wrongly, even though David quickly admitted his sin and prayed for mercy. David's response to the Prophet Nathan's rebuke was correct, but we should never feel that we can get by with our sins.
The Way It Should Be
1 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Tit. 3:1-8).
This language is simple, requiring no great interpretation, needing only to be accepted and acted on. It may not always be easy, but one ought always to be subject to governmental authorities, the police, always obeying the laws of the land, especially while driving, following safety rules, and the like. Then one should readily respond to the needs of others who may be hungry, without work, or needing medical attention. In these cases a right attitude should be showing meekness, gentleness, and never violent or accusatory.
Can you imagine, now that you are saved and a member of the church, that you never were foolish, disobedient? That last word suggests someone who was closed to the law, walking in selfishness, not readily willing to submit to the laws of traffic or even of good behavior. Perhaps we never gave it much thought at the time, but when one does not know the Lord it is easy for him to go from day to day contrary, with a non-compliant attitude, simply because so wrapped up in one's own importance he does not even notice the needs nor the discomforts of others. (Read that verse three again and remember your days before yielding to Christ. The words there now sound so harsh until we hesitate to charge anyone with such, but do we not see evidence of such on the street and in the store every day?). The shame of such character as is reflected in such a spirit is that it is an evidence of the old sin nature in us and ought to be subdued.
Continue reading from verse four through verse seven of the quoted passage. Almost every good feature showing in the change which has taken place in the man of God is immediately to be credited to the grace of God. Observe that statement which says that the kindness and love of God toward man appeared (v. 4). Whenever did it appear to you, dear reader. Was it not in his saving you, lifting off the guilt and weight of your sins and washing you from the shame and guilt? How do you describe your experience of God's saving grace?
I would not imply that all the changing which was needed was accomplished in that one moment, but your consciousness of the changing came suddenly and as you looked back at it there was such a warmth of peace and joy that you could not deny that God had wrought a great work in you. Now look at v. 5: Was it because of some great work of righteousness in that first moment? No, you had tried various formulas, acts of confession, of asking for prayer, and the like, yet none had brought peace. At the moment you might not have recognized that it was his "mercy" that you had experienced, but soon you could say, Yes, he had mercy on me. I felt so guilty, but now the guilt is all gone. How? "By the washing of regeneration." The new birth involves a washing, not with water, certainly not in the act of baptism, but it was a spiritual cleansing which removed the stabbing pain of conviction which had accentuated the guilt up to that time. And the "renewing of the Holy Ghost."
I hope by the detailing of the experience we may help someone who may have been coached to come forward, make a profession of faith, to simply believe, and who did so but then never found the motivation, nor even the realization of the experience as others of us now feel it and describe it.
A Spiritual Experience
We would never dare tell a man who trusted Jesus or seemed to have done so that he was mistaken, or that he had not been saved. It is true that language does not carry the same sense in every phrase a man may hear as that which was in the conscience of the speaker. It is possible that one heard the words and felt he was saved, yet he was trusting the following of a formula, not actually depending on Jesus and His death on the cross, or His resurrection power to communicate life. A man is responsible to believe and it is within his power to accept the facts of the Gospel, but then it is the power of God which cleanses the man of his sins when he repents and believes, and it is the Holy Spirit which changes the man.
We are saying that the experience is just that, a making new of that which was dead in trespasses and in sins. If one experiences such an inside change after believing the Gospel, it does not mean that his mental acceptance caused the change, but it produced in him the need to submit himself to the Lord. It is true that he may submit, but he may also refuse to accept as fact what he has heard. In that case his mental activity resulted in his condemnation, not his being saved. I do not believe that the mental activity, his learning the facts, is the spiritual experience. The facts may produce rebellion, but when one is willing to give himself up to the Lord the God of grace and mercy moves to act, giving him an experience which transcends any learning of facts which he was able to absorb by his own mind. This is why it is said to be a matter of the heart. Rom. 10:10: "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Over and over in the Bible the involvement of the heart is shown to explain the efficacy of saving faith. We readily admit that the mind, or intellect, takes a part in making the decision, but the heart makes the matter effective through its showing the will to submit. For example, an act of obedience after one has been saved, needs the heart's consent: 2 Cor. 9:7: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
I was fascinated this minute with a search of the words "in heart" in the computer. Twenty seven references were brought up, some speaking of the upright in heart, some of the wicked. In each case it became evident that "in heart" is a way of speaking of that which is secret, of the inner man, whether a wicked man or an upright man. The heart is the area where things beyond human sight are found, but God sees there. When we judge, that awful sin, it is based on what is "open," not secret. How can we know the heart of others? Is not it the inner man only who knows a man's own heart? "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God" (1 :Cor. 2:11). Here the word is spirit, not heart, which is mentioned, yet the evidences point to the same thing about a man. One man does not know another man's heart. Only God can deal adequately there. Our own dealings are confined to our own spirit or heart.
If we are ever to know "the mind of Christ" (of God), it will be necessary to have a direct connection with Him. A favorite passage of mine is Prov. 20:27: "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly." Man's spirit is like a door which God put in every man He has made. It is a candle, a lamp or light, by which God searches the inward parts of a man. When he says "belly" he means the location of those organs of the body which in figure God uses to describe our mind, our emotions, our feelings, our desires. This light enables God to reveal to us individually just what He sees there in our inmost selves. Man has learned to look at outward signs, as facial express- ions, the eye, and decipher that which is in a man's insides. We may err, but God does not. I bring this up often because it is a help to learn that God sees inside, whether he is speaking of heart, where resides love, anger, tenderness, harshness, or bowels, where reside compassion, mercies, or the opposite. Every good emotion finds a bad one may be there. It may be bitterness where compassion should be, hate where love should be. But these are heart responses to what information we have, or think we have. Paul says of the believer, evidently referring to one who has yielded from the heart, as He had, the "spiritual" man: "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:15-16).
Look again at "The Way It Should Be," page 3, Tit. 3:1-8).
In v. 5 he had described an element of the mercy and grace revealed in an experience of grace. He said it was accomplished "not by works of righteousness which we have done." If we have done any such it must not be accounted as the reason for the washing of regeneration. That is all a part of God's mercy and grace. Thus we were washed, regenerated, and then mention is made of "the renewing of the Holy Ghost." more of God's part. Then follows an explanation which we must not miss. The Holy Spirit He poured out on us through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is looking back to this revealed promise which Jesus made to His disciples. There is no question but that the Holy Spirit's renewing started in the cleansing. The tense of that word "shed" is one for which there is no English equivalent. Its rendering as a simple past tense does not tell us that it happened at the moment of salvation, but the Aorist with this punctiliar sense simply says that it is specific, not said at any specific time. "God so loved the world" is the same kind of tense. It does not mean that it happened once or at one specific time. It describes God's gracious Person at any time appropriated. An indefinite present might convey the sense one time, but not another. The saving operation occurred at one time. He saved us. But this was not for all men at that moment, or a moment, but the washing occurs when one is ready and willing to trust him, repenting of his sins. The shedding of His Spirit came at a moment, fulfilling prophecy (Joel 2:28; Acts. 2:17-21; Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-11). But last days means "days" at least, so it was not merely at an instant. Like that washing comes over and over again, as it is needed and as the conditions for its receiving are met, so with the changing brought by the pouring out of the Spirit. Its purpose is stated in Tit. 3:7: to bring about justification and hence it is done "abundantly" to the end that those washed may become "heirs according to the hope of eternal life." This directs our eyes to the promises of the kingdom to come and will effectually preserve us to that kingdom as we live and walk in those conditions prescribed. How blessed are the promises, even in this present time before the King returns and rules in that kingdom. What about the present? His laws will be written in our minds and upon our hearts making them easy to remember and furnishing grace to walk in obedience at the present: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more" (Heb. 8:10-12).
"Entering Into The Holiest"
If we are to be holy, living spiritual lives, walking in spiritual truth, there remains one particular position for us to occupy. Describing this allows us to mention again a matter which often confuses the weaker believer. Is there an outward act which brings us into God's favor? To answer this let me start with "No." Remember, it is the heart which God sees. We must always respond from the heart. Our intellectual person may feel cheated, but it is always the heart which has to enter into any thing. Only it, which is the inward man, can please God. The simplest faith must be of the heart.
While dealing with the benefits of "the Way It Should Be," we came to God's way of getting a right response from one of us. I am sure he is patient with the weakest of us, but may we understand better!
Read carefully Hebrews 9:1-15. Note that the writer describes to Hebrews professing faith the forms followed by the old priests in their worship. This is set before Jewish believers to explain why they must not lapse back to the old system. He speaks of the tabernacle (built in the days of Moses in the wilderness). Then there was another worship place when Solomon built the new temple. Now look at verse 8: "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." Verses 9 and 10 describe various outward ceremonies which could not make the conscience perfect. Is God concerned about our consciences? Evidently he is, so then what next?
Verse 11: "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb. 9:11-12). Here we read of "a greater and more perfect tabernacle," where he enters into a "holy place" "not made with hands," where he obtains eternal redemption for us. After the second veil in the first tabernacle our Christ enters with his own blood to obtain our eternal redemption.
This phrase must be a symbolic reference to Christ's entering into the place at the Father's right hand, taking His own blood, to deal with the sin question for us and to sanctify us by entrance with Him into "the holiest" (Heb. 10:19-25): "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
I think I can safely say that the place where Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father is the holiest of all. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:" (Heb. 9:24). It is called the second tabernacle. The first was the one into which ordinary men ministered about holy things, but outward things, using the blood of animals. But Jesus entered personally into heaven, to that presence of the Father, because he was worthy to enter there, and God raised him from the dead and gave Him that place. Mk. 16:19: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
Acts 2:33: "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (cf. Tit. 3:6).
Col. 3:1: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
"Risen With Christ"
Who could be described thus and still be in a position to "seek those things which are above"? It must apply to one still on earth, one who has not died physically. Are we not bound to see that it applies to one who has yielded to Him for life, even resurrection life? Only "in Christ" can one have such life. But he is still obligated to seek such things. Are we confused?
One who has trusted Jesus is positioned alive in Christ. Such is ready to declare himself dead to sin and "alive to God" "in Christ": Rom. 6:13: "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
If you will read John 14 – 17 it will become evident that Jesus does not want His disciples left as orphans ("comfortless," KJV). He will come to them, yes, surely this is now, not after the resurrection. He gave to them the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, for which they were to tarry and pray. Try to grasp the picture described among the saints in Colosse (Col. 3:1-17). Is this not a church, a visible congregation, serving God, walking in love? Only such could possibly describe those who are "risen with Christ" yet not dead physically. They have "put on Christ": Gal. 3:27: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." We have said, and will say again, that the outward order does not fulfil the spiritual condition of being risen with Christ. But we are sure that obedience in the outward is representative of that which God accounts as spiritual. Only in the body of Christ, the church, is one eligible to enter into the presence of God in heaven. He goes there by the blood of another.
Most Christians feel this is the universal church, but it cannot meet the high demands of a spiritual people. No outward act can qualify one to enter the holiest. You must come boldly, Heb. Q
Reminder, May 2003
We gladly include news items of general interest in these last two pages. This month I do not remember many such items.
Bro. Mike Benge came by our services on Wednesday night, April 16 and invited me to go with him. I gladly would have gone with him to St. Louis, for I do enjoy those meetings, but did not feel I should go without the wife, and Sister Byrd did not feel up to that long trip. I have not had a report on that meeting yet.
The next fellowship meeting for which we had made an announcement is this week, April 24-26. We have had to miss that meeting for the same reason. We had the report that Bro. Jack Worth of Spanaway, WA was scheduled to be there and he was hoping that he would recover from an attack of Asthma so he could go. We should have enjoyed being with them, hearing from Worth and others, but have missed that one too.
Our daughter, Barbara Thompson and her friend, Karen Jordan, of Madison, WI, have been with us since Monday , April 21. Time with family is a blessing, as was the visitor. Karen has been a delightful addition to our times together. Yesterday, April 24, we drove over to Gilbert, Ark., for the outing and to visit with Ruth and Pearl Wilson, wife's sisters, and Willa Ruth Wells, a daughter of Pearl Wilson. This too was enjoyable. Gilbert is a picture of Arkansas as it might have been many years ago. Yes, they have electricity and air conditioning in their homes and businesses, but the customs and scenery is not much changed with the years.
Easter Season passed last Sunday. Many churches celebrate, as they would say, the crucifixion of the Lord on "good Friday" and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. This is tradition. The Catholic church extends back to the days of pagan remembrance of the seasons. Protestants, who came out from Catholicism, brought much of that tradition, call it Catholic or Pagan, with them. Most Baptists allow the spirit in the air at this season, just as they allow another spirit at Christmas time. Baptists strive to avoid the error of the traditions, yet are influenced as the world is, by those events. The dress for church, and sometimes a sunrise service marks the time, but most of us avoid these things. We feel God is dishonored by such. The word Easter (the spelling of the goddess of dawn), Eastre, is significant in the pagan vernal festival. A school child familiar with an encyclopedia, or able to look at one on the Internet, can find the explanation given as to why that season of Spring is associated with the paschal season of the resurrection of Christ. Perhaps the encyclopedia will not offer an explanation as to why the Romish church decided to bring the celebration over from paganism into the church. Perhaps it was a means of holding the weak, even the lost people they wanted to retain, thus avoiding the adverse influence of the pagan holiday. The same likely happened for the same reason at the Christmas season. It was not because Christ was born on December 25. More likely He was born in the Spring also. It is very easy for ill-informed people among professing Christians to look toward what the world is watching at any given time. The same logic calls for the building of stadiums by churches to hold the young people and "fellowship halls" for all ages. It is a kind of confession that the Christ is not enough for people who still belong largely to the world..
I do not mean to be unkind. Even Baptists by changing the names feel the need to depend on holidays and entertainment to "hold the crowds." As time passes more and more of these are used by professing Christians to keep the world from claiming all of their membership.
Question: Do you feel that your church needs more of the holidays and games to hold the young people. Is your pastor not able to hold the Christ up as the ultimate provision of God's grace? I expect the children, and even the adults, who are captivated by childish things to demand these things. But I feel the Apostle Paul had a wonderful point when he said, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11).
Observe that he was thinking of those simple means which God had the early saints resort to when reaching out to the world. A child loves fairy tales. The magic is captivating. What could be more thrilling than the miracles of healing, and even of the resurrection? A child can enjoy a lot of such. But an adult, who understands the supernatural, believes in the love of God, can see that the miraculous is essential to His working, but for purposes of allowing His children to grow up He explains that when the "perfect thing," the mature condition of a grown Christian does not depend on the childlike but trusts God to bring the Kingdom in by His own wisdom and power. At times, for the sake of His saints, and to preserve the church and her Truth, He may perform what appears to be miracles even today. Most of us who have lived a good long life confess that we have seen such miracles. But we do not label them and parade them openly. That is not one of the three gifts remaining in the church for her own maturing today. 1 Cor. 13:13, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. From 1 Cor. 13:11 Paul explains what he had put away and what is left, v. 13.
Report from Landmark MBC, Spokane, WA
Recently Bro. Bill Alsept, pastor of the church, was called home to be with the Lord. He had encouraged the church to continue after he was gone. They have two or three young men who preach, and will use these if necessary, and look to the Lord to send them another pastor.
This church, as often happens, had to find a place to worship, so they bought a place. It is a little small, though their membership is not large. They occasionally have visitors and can take care of them for their services. Sister Alsept, wife of Bro. Bill, tells me that this place is paid for in full. The people were sad to lose their pastor, but they are not discouraged to the point of giving up. This spirit is important and will show in the joy they experience in their services.
This month (May) they will have a fellowship meeting. We know something of the joy and peace, the love and encouragement which comes in these meetings.
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Harrison, Arkansas
Recently we completed a study in The Trail of Blood. Among the things which stood out in this series
was the place which history serves in our existence. J. M. Carroll, the author, spoke from the standpoint of evidences he had gained from church history. Some names were prominent, but it was emphasized that a New Testament church is not measured by its name, nor by its size, but by the pattern of the first church which the Lord Jesus established during His ministry on earth. Some were challenged by the way in which early churches were influenced by early traditions and events in the world. The idea of church and state being at work together, the one depending on the government for power and then coming to persecute all who did not adhere to their teachings. That idea is still around today. How easy it is to reach out for help of a material nature.
A family moved recently. His job here did not out, causing him to miss more services than he liked. Bro. Jamie Barker and family (wife Julie and sons Jacob and Joel, were a delight to have with us and we are truly sorry to lose them.
Come visit us soon and pray that we be strong. Q
