“You are so sure, sir, in what you believe. You do not only think that may be this kingdom of God is coming; you are certain. If I could feel as you do, I would have new hope, and the sadness of the past would not be so great.”
These words were spoken by a woman from northern Europe whose small country had been conquered, and who had escaped from behind the Iron Curtain. All her relatives and all she possessed were left behind, and she was endeavouring to make a new life in a new land. But the past was hard to forget, for the memory of loved ones never dies, irrespective of creed, colour or race.
The brother at the door had one purpose uppermost in his mind: to make known the glad tidings of the coming age. But here was a case perhaps somewhat different from the usual. Here was a very human problem which we in Australia find difficult to contemplate. And so he decided to listen to her story, during which time he learnt much of the character of the person who stood before him and was thus able to ascertain the best method of approach.
The Apostle Paul declared, “Let a man be slow to speak and swift to hear”; and this advice is particularly apt for those who claim to be preachers of the gospel. It is good to learn to listen, and to be patient in so doing, for the benefits of such are obvious. Firstly, it gives the person before us confidence that we are not there to apply pressure, as some religionists do, and, secondly, it gives us the opportunity to assess the facts and plan the best method of dealing with the particular situation. There is certainly no stereotyped method of winning men and women for Christ. Paul in his preaching, “became all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9. 19-22). “I have made myself servant unto all, that I may gain the more. Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; and this I do for the gospel’s sake.”
“I can never go back to my country”, this woman continued, “for I would immediately lose my freedom. Nor can I ever write to or hear from my relatives, for that would bring punishment to them. We have hoped for the day when the Western Powers would bring freedom to our people, but that is no longer in view. We have looked at the map and wondered if there is any other power in the world oppression of our country —but I could not expect that may arise to relieve the you, sir, to understand.”
“Yes, I do understand”, replied the brother, “and I deeply sympathise with you in your sorrow; but I want to tell you today of a power far mightier than all you have mentioned that one of these days will certainly arise to bring freedom, not only to your country, but to all peoples of the earth. This is a power that will come not from any human or earthly source, but from the Maker of the universe, who, contrary to popular opinion, has not forsaken His creation, but has promised for it a glorious future. In this new world there will be no more war, no strife or hatred, no more sorrow or suffering, but everlasting joy and happiness, gladness, peace and goodwill. This is the hope that will come into your life as you look away from this man-made map which you refer to and consider God’s plan for the solution of the problems Of humanity, portrayed so clearly in his Word—the Bible.”
“But we have always believed the Bible. We go to church, but neither in our own country or in this country have we heard of this great change which is to come into the world.” “Then you no longer repeat the Lord’s Prayer, for in the words, ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’, you are praying for God to bring about just this which I am speaking of. Have you ever considered the real purpose behind the advent of Jesus of Nazareth? Have you read in the prophets how God for foretold long before His birth that He would be called the ‘Prince of Peace’, the ‘King over all the earth’, reigning in Jerusalem, through whom would come ‘Peace on earth and goodwill toward men’? Has this ever been fulfilled? But let me assure you on the basis of the promise of Almighty God that this time of blessing for the peoples of the world is coming very soon. It is in this direction that you should look for deliverance. Man has failed to solve the problems of humanity, and will continue to do so until the God of Heaven sets up His Kingdom to rule the world in justice and equity.”
“But how can you feel so sure, sir, that all this is really coming? You have no doubts in your mind. I have always been a christian, and we love our church, but I could never feel as certain as you feel.” “You say you have always been a christian, but do you feel that you have really found Christ?” enquired the brother. “If you have, then His presence will become a daily reality in your life. It will fill this void which has been caused by the sorrows of the past. His faith and His hope will become yours, and you will be daily watching and praying for His return. You will find a new purpose for living, and a new vision for the future; and, furthermore, a security and peace that nothing in this world can alter.”
“I can only hope, sir, that one day I will find what you have found, but then how can all this make any difference to the suffering of my people in northern Europe?” The brother at the door did not attempt to answer this very human question. Perhaps it would not have been expedient at this stage to do so, except to suggest to this woman that in her present state, without Christ, she was entirely outside the influence of God’s unlimited power. Her part was to “seek first the Kingdom of God”, to find the personal salvation which He is offering to mankind: and who knows if she may not then be an instrument in passing this blessing on to her loved ones. In any case, she was reminded that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”, and that “the things that are impossible with men are possible with God”. If people will but accept the Word of God as the basis of their life, and align themselves with Christ, their requests can then be made known unto God in full assurance of faith, their cares can be cast upon Him who is able to do all things, whose love is as infinite as heaven itself, and whose power as limitless as the universe.
. . . After leaving a booklet with the suggestion that he would call again, the ‘brother departed with a hope and a prayer that in God’s mercy the light from His Word might penetrate the darkness and sorrow of this women’s life. She is typical of multitudes in the world today who stand so much in need of the transforming power of the gospel, which alone can give them that “peace which passeth all understanding”. In the main their lives are dominated by the spirit of hopelessness, personal sorrow and suffering, human weaknesses, both inherent and cultivated, which barriers the spirit of Christ alone can break through.
Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. In this great task we may have all that is necessary—the knowledge, the equipment, the desire; but, unless we have in some measure the patience and tolerance that Jesus exemplified, our mission will not succeed. Where hard logic will so often fail, the Truth spoken on the basis of human understanding can “save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins”.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?