POSSIBILITIES?—Possibilities?—Yes, that is the right word. Possibilities, not probabilities. Possibilities do not always become probabilities, the reason of which is that those who have the resources at their command to convert possibilities into probabilities, yes, into absolute facts, are not sufficiently interested to put forth the effort necessary to accomplish the end.
Mission work is for the purpose of pointing the world to Christ, and is, therefore, pre-eminently the work of His followers, individually and as churches.
The Bible declares that God gave His Son to the world, and that His Son came into the world to bring salvation to our sin-ruined race. When He had finished His work on earth by giving Himself a sacrifice for sin, He then committed to His followers the evangelization of the world, commanding them to preach the Gospel to all the world.
Our Lord has said to us, "Ye are the light of the world." Therefore, "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." "Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost his savor, it is thenceforth good for nothing." Are there any good-for-nothing members in the churches? Will their Lord say to them, "Well done, good and faithful servant," or will He say to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me"?
Let not the drinking member, nor the member who can enjoy a game of cards, nor the member who cheats his fellow, nor the member who will not pay his debts, nor the member who never attends church nor contributes to the support of the cause of Christ, think that he will ever lead a soul to Christ. He will be sure to lead them the other way, and he will also be sure of his reward, that of an unprofitable servant.
A life devoted to the glory of God and the highest good of man is a power before which Satan himself must quail and retreat in confusion. "One shall chase a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand to flight." The Lord has so declared it. Why don't we do it?—Lack of consecration, lack of spirituality, lack of all the requisites that are necessary to thoroughly furnish us unto every good work.
Another potent factor is liberality toward the work of God. Stinginess and Christianity are entirely incompatible, and yet there are some church members whose poor, little, shriveled, stingy souls can be so completely wrapped up in a dollar bill as to forever hide from them the favor of their Lord and Judge! Pitiful objects! The Lord loves a cheerful and liberal giver, but pronounces the stingy man and the miser idolaters.
And let not the demure, long-faced, sanctimonious church member expect to exert a savory influence in the community. "Religion never was designed to make our pleasures less."
Rejoice in the Lord, and be of a glad countenance; and let the people know that Christianity makes glad the heart, and causes the soul to rejoice with joy unspeakable.
One of the child-wives of India. The grandmother of the babe is but twenty-five years old.
Love is the basic principle and foundation stone of Christianity. God so loved the world that He gave His Son to redeem the world. Christ so loved the world that He gave Himself a sin-offering for the world. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart." If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha—let him be accursed from the presence of God forever. "God is love."
The gift of Christ is the expression of His love. Our Lord's sacrifice of His life in our behalf is the manifestation of His love for us.
Love is the force that impels heart action, and stimulates man to noble deeds. Love is the bond that cements one to the object loved. Love is the greatest attribute of God and of His Christ, and He has made love the test of our spiritual connection with Him. Tell me that a man loves his Lord, and yet will do nothing for His glory and honor? It is a mistake. Tell me that a man loves his fellow, and will do nothing toward supplying his greatest need—that of giving him the Gospel of eternal life? It is a fallacy. Love rules the heart, and binds it to the object loved.
