A Christian

A Christian

The Scriptures call a true Christian, “the man of God.” 2 Tim. 3:17. There are many who bear the name “Christian” who are not men of God. If you were to give them a name, you could almost call them men of the world, as it is written, “They are of the world . . . and the world hears them.” 1 John 4:5.

You have to be born again in order to see God’s kingdom; a transformation has to occur in the heart in order to be “the man of God,” because he is led by the Spirit and the laws of Christ. Asaph could not view the situations in the right light (he was grieved in his heart because it went well with the ungodly) until he went into the sanctuary. Ps. 73:17, 21. Then everything was transformed because he saw everything through God’s eyes, and he saw their end. Instead of being grieved, he became compassionate, realizing that God’s grace was abundantly over him.

The rich and great men in this world use power, asserting themselves in many ways just as the high priests and the scribes did toward Jesus; but Jesus “disarmed [all] principalities and powers” on the cross. Col. 2:15.

We shall also, in Jesus’ power and Spirit, overcome all powers and principalities that want to subdue us. But they will be overcome on the cross. Therefore we cannot be conformed to this world and go along with it, but we must wage war with spiritual weapons.

Many, who bear the name of Christian, believe in the Labor Union Movement and participate in the fight for higher wages and better living standards in this world. We also notice in the letter of James, Chapter 5 that the Scriptures powerfully rebuke the rich who fattened themselves and withheld the laborers’ wages.

According to the above scripture, taking matters into your own hands may appear to be just; but when we go into the sanctuary concerning this matter, we receive a completely different understanding. See verses 7 and 8. Human supports are futile! What can a man do? Man does not possess creative powers; he can only wait for better times. But what are these better times? That is God’s work; He changes situations in His time. Who is it that brings this about? “The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” V. 4. In other words, it is those who pray in spirit and in truth who influence God, and it is He who gives better wages and, at other times, worse wages.

We had blessed proof of God’s almighty hand now, at the end of the war. The country had been conquered by a large enemy army. In the end, all of them put down their weapons without an act of war. God did this because of the Christians’ fervent prayers.

I think that by living God-fearing, in faith, and in prayer, we fulfill our duty to land and people and are a direct aid in improving living conditions for everyone, without getting mixed up in politics and organizations of all kinds. Had there been ten righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah in those days, the city would have been spared; but, unfortunately, they were ordinary human beings, and they intermingled with the ungodly.

The salt of the earth preserves and brings blessings to everyone, and without this salt the destroyer stands at the door. When some force the righteous to walk on paths of unrighteousness, they are preparing for their own destruction. Here it is important to stand firm and be salt.