The Religious Outlook

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 13 September 1941, Page 3

The Religious Outlook

CHRISTIANITY—A SOPORIFIC OR A CRUSADE?

phrase which expresses one side of Christianity, which is a practical effect of its faith. Unfortunately, however, it is accepted too widely as the one contribution that Christianity makes to the wellbeing of mankind. The psalmist’s picture of green pastures an still waters gives to most people ti e idea that the essence of religion is the granting of a spirit which enables the individual to live his life in placid contentment. They have no appreciation of the startling realism of Jesus, which made Him declare, “I come, not to bring peace, but a sword.” Christianity does bring consolation to the broken-hearted, rest to the weary, joy to the sad—and in that fact we rejoice. But it is too often forgotten that the same Jesus Who said, "Come unto Me all ye that weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” also said. "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you for My sake.” When Jesus says, "Come,” He also says, "Go.” This is but another way of saying that we cannot have the consolations of religion unless we are ready to surrender our whole personality to Christ. The measure of our receiving always depends upon the In the Garden 'of Gethsemane our Lord prayed, "Not My will but Thine be done.” This did not express a mere acquiescence in the dictates of the Eternal God. It was rather the expression of an eager willingness to do the will of the Father, no matter how great the cost. And that is what our surrender to God must always mean. It is not mere resignation to fate, it is a purpose of willing co-operation with God in His purposes, involving us in readiness to suffer all things for His sake. So it was that even in the midst of persecution, Paul was able to say. ‘‘We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” In our present hour o‘ need it is well it remember these facts. A great man., people are seeking for the “consolations of religion.” without being aware of the implications of their quest. In this there are the elements of great danger and tragedy. It is the duty of the Church to proclaim to these people the message of Christ in all its fulness. What our Lord really gives to men and women is power—a power that will enable them to overcome disappointment and failure, to see past their temporal sorrows and anguish to the deep purposes of God. He gives men power to overcome temptation and to overwhelm sin. power to keep on lightin t the good light even •after the experience of what the men of this world would acknowledge as crushing defeat. This is surely the lesson taught us by th New Testament. As we read the stories there portrayed the outstanding impression left with us is that of men and women undismaye . by seeming defeats and disaster conquering in the end all evil powers. This is the meaning of the refrain in the Book of Revelation: "To him that overcometh I will give the crown of life.” Our generation needs to learn of the existence of the power that Christ gives. If it does not, then all the so called “consolations of l'eJigion” are mere acts of resignation to fate. What we need to see is that God has placed u. in this world for His great purpose, and that, through Christ, He calls us as soldiers to light for the fulfilment of that, great purpose, heedless of the consequences. It is no easy path on which we are asked to walk in our day. On the contrary we are called to great endeavour. There is a ruined world to restore, an evil world to conquer—and no earthly power can accomplish these tasks. We must, by the power of Christ, go forward in His name, eager and ready to face every enemy, to withstand every persecution, to pay any price, so that His “will may „be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” — "The Outlook.”