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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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Chapter
8 • PREACHING
THE GOSPEL
One
never knows the ways in which the Truth may reach searching
minds. Who would have thought that a leaflet crumpled and
thrown away by someone, would be picked up to illuminate another?
Or that a pamphlet left in a drawer in a hotel bedroom would,
months afterwards, enlighten someone who took the trouble
to read it?
Everyone Can Help
Instances like these witness to the fact that all can help
in the communication of the gospel; that there are a multitude
of ways in which it can be done and that we can never tell
exactly how what we may do will achieve its purpose. What
matters is that each of us should strive in the ways that
best suit us to witness to God's Truth and love.
There is joy in the possession of these divine gifts, and
satisfaction to be enjoyed in this life for everyone who is
prepared to sacrifice for them, for such "shall receive
a hundredfold now in this time ... and in the world to come
eternal life".
We bear the name of God, our Father, we have received His
wisdom, we have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus, and we prepare
for his coming kingdom. Let us be wise in living, and generous
in giving the life-giving gospel to all who will Daniel, referring
to the time of the end, said: "Many of them that sleep
in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting
life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they
that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;
and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for
ever and ever."
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References
Mark 10v30, Dan 12v2-3
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Chapter
9 • THE BELIEVER
AND THE STATE
WHEN a convert
is crucified, dies and rises from the dead in the figure of baptism
he (or she) begins the new life as an adopted son of God, with a
total allegiance to Him as heavenly Father. The first consequence
of this is that the believer enters into a fellowship or partnership,
in a common purpose with God, with Jesus and with a host of his
brethren.
Loyalty to God
This divine conception of fellowship means that every aspect of
life has to be lived, and every decision has to be made with this
allegiance to God in mind. And at no time should there be a question
of a divided loyalty.
In this life, the believer has to live under the authority of the
State and problems arise when he has to decide the extent to which
his obedience to authority can go. Even Jesus had to make decisions
of this kind.
On
one occasion the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians who
represented completely opposed political views, joined together
for the purpose of trying to trick Jesus into making admissions,
and asked him: "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or
not?" If he had said, Yes, it is lawful, then according to
their view he would have abandoned
his claim to be Messiah and deliverer of Israel: he would have expressed
his readiness for the Jews to remain under the heavy yoke of Roman
rule and taxation. If, on the other hand, he had said, It is not
lawful, then they would have been able to report him to the Roman
authorities and have him arrested. His answer skillfully evaded
either possibility: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things
that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's."
The manner of his reply was based upon advice he had earlier given
his disciples: "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves;
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
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References
1 John 1v3, Matt 22v21, Matt 10v16
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