Of no small significance in the programme of proclaiming the truth through ecclesial activities is the comment which comes from the television world, to the effect that as soon as the Bible is introduced the viewing public drops to its minimum so that whatever the average person might think about the Bible and its message, he does not wish to have it introduced into his entertainment. The word of the Lord never was popular, for many reasons; people like to keep God in the background. It is as a writer said in “The Christadelphian” (September, p. 397), “Many people would like to know more about God”, yet, “people are not content to accept the Bible revelation of Him: they want to discover Him in ‘modern’ terms, that is, in terms more in accordance with present-day scientific and philosophical thought”.
This is a matter about which the brethren have been acutely aware for many years, and in an effort to meet the situation and attract attention to the Bible emphasis has been placed increasingly on interpretation of prophecy, very often with distortion and extravagance, and sometimes unfortunately with results not consistent with historical developments. This has created the impression that the God of the Bible is unrealistic and has no contact with the modern world and its doings.
It is a great disadvantage to the work to have prophecy thus used in an effort to be spectacular, because prophecy as a whole is important to a proper understanding of the world’s affairs. It is valuable because:
It gives evidence to God’s intentions with the future, on the basis of His past dealings with men. Instances of this are numerous.
It enlivens hope with expectations that rise high above the purely mundane level.
It illustrates both negatively and positively the richer pattern of life which follows upon obedience to that perfect law of conduct exemplified by Christ Jesus, and makes it apparent how, as the Apostle Paul avers, it is profitable for the life that now is, as well as for that which is to come”.
However, there are other facets of scripture teaching which must be brought into prominence, such as the gospel of the Kingdom of God which the apostles proclaimed, and the Gospel of the ultimate redemption of the whole world out of the morass of sin and degradation through the great salvation offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Furthermore, there is the teaching of the manner of life, the devotion and the fellowship—all of which must be cultivated on right lines to bring the individual into harmony with the God of the universe, as He is revealed in the scriptures.
How to get the message over and accepted is the problem always before us. And it does not depend upon subtle speech and fine arguments. The preaching work must be more than intriguing prognostication about developing trends in the world’s affairs. It must be more than philosophical idealism for the cure of the evils inherent in human society. It must be more than dogmatic theology about promises, law and divine grace. It must be, in addition, a practical demonstration of how grace operates.
There is a most significant assertion relative to this point in John’s gospel (1. 12), “To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God”. “Power to become”, which Paul interprets as “walking worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”, putting aside bitterness and evil speaking together with wrath and clamour, being kind and forgiving, making no place for filthiness and foolish speaking, and walking in love, just as Christ loved us (Eph. 4. 31 to 5. 5). This is evidence of the power of God to transform the individual into a son of God. The transformation must be of that real quality that will add weight to verbal declamation about the truth about God. We have to answer.
How well do we stand up to the test? Have we made it evident that we have walked with Jesus and have learned of him?
The world sees plainly through thin preferences and demands as the price of an acceptance of the God of the Bible that there shall be deeds as well as words by way of proof. Let it be remembered that the perfection of Jesus himself brought slow results in the conversion of a little flock, few in number.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?