The Sabbath Hour

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Sabbath Hour

(A Sermon contributed by Rev. H. I. Tozer, M.A., Methodist Minister, Whangarci). We all know what such expressions as “on the rocks” or “stony broke" mean in the financial world. When a man in this position has to receive legal release from debts he has incurred. he is known as a bankrupt, and he is no longer required by law to meet his obligations. The law, on behalf of those affected by the violation, says to such a bankrupt man: “We are prepared to overlook the past and to wipe it out, because wo want you to start afresh and do better.” It is a tragic thing for people on every hand to bo morally and spiritually bankrupt, and lacking those resources which alone can give them true victory in their private and community life. One of the most fundamental things we have to face to-day. is that there are countless numbers of men and women who have become involved in a set of tragic relationships which have become more and more strained until something has had to give way. When this happens the tragedy of the situation becomes apparent to the world, and frequently innocent people suffer. The saddest part is the moral hopelessness and helplessness of those involved when there is a solution to their problems and an answer to their questions. Such folk are like men dying from thirst while their ship is becalmed beneath the blazing heat of the tropical sun, when all the while a current of fresh water flows round their vessel. It is here that the great est tragedy lies—that there is no need for moral bankruptcy; men and women need not be morally “on the rocks.” Domestic and social and even international relationship need not become so strained as to result in divorce, crime and war. The problem of strained relationships and tragic social happenings is essentially a spiritual one, and can be resolved into wrong attitudes, personal selfishness and greed, and an unwillingness to forgive and be forgiven. This lies at the root of much unhappiness to-day. To Err Is Human, But . . . We must face the fact that, try as we will to maintain happy relationships with one another, there come times when we suddenly become aware of an awkward situation. It is when such situations arise that the test of our moral solvency will come. Only the man who in God’s strength, faces the situation in a Christ-like way, admits frankly his own share in the problem, and seeks to understand the feelings of others in an attitude of forgiveness —this man only can be regarded as morally solvent; for he alone has the

Moral Bankruptcy

resources, the spiritual resources at his command to overcome suspicion by trust, hate by love, and fear by faith. There is not a situation that could not be solved at this stage had we the spiritual resources to do it—but we haven’t, and we know we haven’t. The result is that like a snowball the tragedy grows until the storm of passion, hate, bitterness and fear breaks to produce ruin in many lives.

Christian people may be tempted to think that because such tragedies have never occurred in their lives, that therefore they are exempt from blame, but ought we not rather to ask ourselves, ‘ What have we done to rebuild shipwrecked lives? Are we giving to the world the moral and spiritual leadership that it so urgently needs. Can we enter a circle of vicious relationships where hate, bitterness, fear, greed and suspicion obtain, and in God’s strength point to a better way, and lead individuals to accept it?” In the vast majority of cases even churchgoing people are powerless and ineffective. We ask why. And the vital point is this—that to restore harmony to a set of tragic relationships it is neopssary first of all to bring harmony into an individual life, so that into the, set of vicious circumstances there will come a new factor, and a redemptive force —our job will be to concentrate on this personal work in the particular life until it is fired with a new attraction, and fortified with a new power—the power of God’s love and grace. Then through this life there will come into the situation this new factor, and who can set any limits to what this may effect? To set a limit would be to deny the power of God. But the essential point must not be overlooked—this can only happen when one life is fundamentally changed, and this is every Christian’s continual responsibility. If such lives are not being changed is it-because we as Christians are ineffective? If so, why? Simply because, like others, we lack the spiritual resources to give real leadership. In terms of our theme we are morally and spiritually poor, if not in a state of practical bankruptcy.

The Remedy This must be along the lines of personally facing the challenge to live lives that are honest, 'pure and loving in thought, word and deed. What a revolution the uncompromising acceptance of such standards of conduct would make in private life, domestic life, business life and social life. And if from this point we can further dedicate our every gift to the service, of God and our fellows, relying upon the strength that comes from above, we will have the joy of seeing the Kingdom of God extended upon earth.