SUNDAY COLUMN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 75, 8 January 1949, Page 3

SUNDAY COLUMN

Our Changing World

(CONDUCTED BY THE ASHBURTON MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION).

This age in which we are living is marked by big changes. Nations and peoples are rising and falling. The rising tides of national consciousness in the lands of the East are causing much. interest, and much anxious thought. The deliberations of the United Nations are being watched, in the hope that they can bring about further changes that will revolutionise world conditions, and make for peace in a troubled world, where in scattered places, armies are on the march as further token of the state of change. The most momentous change of all has left many people very fearful of the future. What terrible possibilities are wrapped up in the atomic bomb? Even the scientists who have worked to achieve it are sounding a note of fear, and of warning to the world, that unless men are willing to change tlieir ways, and control their passions, there is disaster only just aheadi of us. This new advance in scientific achievement has therefore brought about a new state of affairs — the Christian Church has often been named “wowser” for its insistence upon the need of a transformation in the heart of man, but now the scientist, in many quarters, is sounding the same l note, though from a different incentive. The scientist, from fear of the outcome of atomic research, says men must change. The disciples of Christ, with or without any backing from science, havs stresesd, and will continue to stress, the necessity for a change in the heart of man, simply because that message has always been the urgent call of a God of love to a world which seems largely willing to try any change except that most necessary one. Where, in all this confusion of our world to-day, can we look for the solution to man’s problems and needs? Where does the world’s hope lie? Is there any way of transforming the scene? Must we live on in fear of the future, and feel that our hopes are after all blind hopes? These are questions we must all consider, in the knowledge that our answer to them will certainly affect the outcomp, since it will affect the quality of our own lives, and the contribution we will be able to make to the life of the world.

God Never Changes

There is one comfort, in all the changing scene, which possesses the heart of the servant of Jesus Christ. It is well expressed in the words of H. F. Byte's well-known hymn:

“Change and decay in all around 1 see: A ~, O Thou who changest not, abide with me.” It is the fact that God never changes. ... . . At many periods of the worlds history, despair has filled the hearts of mankind, but those who have ti listed in God have found that whatever else may change, God abides unchanging on. We can see this fact reflected clearly in the writings of the Psalmist, and of the, prophets of Israel, as compared with the voice of 'the Church of God to-day. Faith has always been able to rest calmly in that knowledge of a God whose love is true and constant, Who never deviates from holiness and justice, Whose power is always sufficient to provide tor His world and its needs, Who always hears the prayer of faith as it rises from human, lips and hearts. That is one reason why the Bible, written so long ago, is never out of date. It is the message of an unchanging God to the world. In the language and experience of the Psalmist, the prophet, and the Apostle, we can still come to grips with God, and hear His voice speaking to us. Their experience of God can be our experience of Him.

And Human Need Never Changes

That is another factor which makes the Bible endure —human need never changes. Our circumstances may change, the pattern of events around us may alter, but our great need never changes, the need of God. We need the comfort of God, and we need His protecting care. Failure to realise this has been the cause of the trouble and despair in our world to-day, as in all ages. Thank God there are many millions in the world who realise the world’s only hope is in God, and in Jesus Christ His Son, and who have therefore committed their lives to His keeping. These, His Church, constitute a mighty factor in the life of the world. But yet that does not alter the fact that human neglect of God by the remainder of the race leaves the world torn and broken and despairing. Many do not like to think of this side of the picture. We sometimes hear people blame God for the troubles of the world, but the fault lies, in man’s choice. This very week, the Christchurch papers.have quoted a case of three youths who took out an artunion ticket under the name “Passport to Hell.” That was their choice, and they certainly got it. Misfortune dogged their steps, as if God were saying to them, “You have chosen it, and here it is. Repent, before it is too late.”

That is a -true picture of the world’s position. The majority prefer to live without God, and having chosen their “Passport to Hell,” God lets them have it here on earth, in the troubled state of the world. In the state of the world affairs, those who look for it can hear the voice of God which calls them to repent before it is too late. Those who make the better choice, and choose to serve God, and Christ, know His peace even amid -the troubles of earth, and find strength in His presence with them.

But Man Can Be Changed The lives which own God as their choice are what they are, not because of their own splendour, but because they have been touched by. Jesus Christ the Saviour, Who can change the hearts of men and women. Without God, they would be no different from the rest of mankind. Without God, Paul could have been a Nero, John Wesley could have been a Napoleon, and Martin. Niemoller could have been a Hitler. But they met God in Christ, and were changed, and filled with Him and His Spirit, they were God-fearing men.

There we come to the point where we have each a responsibility in the world issues of this changing world, whether we like to admit it or not. Christ calls us to follow Him, to repent, and turn to God. Neglect Him, and rve share in the blame for the world’s suffering. Following Him, our sinful hearts are changed by His

power, so that our lives can bring blessing to others. Is there hope for the world? Yes! But only if it turns to God. With this confidence let us each one trust outlives to God, and trust Christ to save us from ourselves. He alone can change us.