Serious Business

by Cled Wallace

The work of saving men from sin is serious business. Jesus Christ, "existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross." (Phil. 2: 5-8.) God sent him as the greatest apostle ever known on the greatest mission ever conceived-the redemption of mankind from sin. In pursuance of this mission, the "ministry of reconciliation" was chosen, the great commission was given, and the gospel became the power of God unto salvation. When Christ ascended up on high, the Holy Spirit came down and the apostles became active ambassadors on behalf of their reigning Lord. "We cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard," (Acts 4:20) Peter and John said sharply to the angry Sanhedrin. "The love of Christ constraineth us; woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." (1 Cor 9:16) Paul considered himself a "debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish," (Rom 1:14) to the full extent of his opportunity and ability in preaching the gospel. A world lying in the evil one is a direct challenge to the church. The fact that the world was evangelized in a generation, in the face of persecution armed and designed for annihilation, affords eloquent testimony to the magnificent manner in which that challenge was met in the first century when Christianity was new.

Christians today view a world in sin with too much complacence, or indifference, maybe it is. Too many well-fed and properly clothed disciples feel that the measure of their responsibility is attending a service or so and dropping in a coin or so occasionally. But is it? Paul said: "I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart." Let us note the occasion of this distress. His "kinsmen according to the flesh," the Jewish nation, for whom God had done so much and from whom Christ had come, were displaying an amazing and unreasonable stubbornness in their rejection of the Lord and opposition to the gospel. Paul was chilled to the heart at the thought of their lost condition, in their fatal self-righteousness. Suffer for them? Sacrifice on their behalf? He would do anything and everything for them. "I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (Rom 9:3) Were it possible to do such a thing or right to wish such a thing, Paul was capable of choosing a place in hell, if thereby he could purchase a home in heaven for the Jewish race. Such burning intensity mocks the insipid indifference of many present-day disciples. Sin is a terrible reality, and through it death reigns. It even worked condemnation and ruin through such a good thing as the law. The gospel is the only means of escape from sin with its indescribable consequences. How zealous, then, should Christians be in preaching the gospel! It is serious business. - Gospel Advocate, May 11, 1933

 

Other Articles by Cled Wallace
Bitterness -- A Form of Religious Insanity
Present Day Church Problems (Part 1)
Present Day Church Problems (Part 2)
Present Day Church Problems (Part 3)
Present Day Church Problems (Part 4)