"The Things Which Are Before"
From his prison in Rome Paul wrote to the Philippian Christians what has been described as "the most joyful letter in the Bible." Out of circumstances which would have brought others to the verge of desperation if not despair, he penned a letter which overflows with a spirit of immense gratitude and peace and inner joy. He wrote, "Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (3:13-14)
As the new year opens up before us there are a great host of faithful Christians who are experiencing in their own lives this deep resolve which possessed the aged Paul. The year that has closed was in many ways a year of frustrations and disappointments; it was a year of national grief and tragedy. And for the chosen ones of God it was undoubtedly a year of mixed emotions — a year bringing great joy and confidence as new congregations were started, new zeal and fidelity to truth became evident in some areas which had hitherto been counted as all but lost to liberalism, and as renewed unity and determination to push ahead seemed to characterize most congregations. But there were disappointments, of course. As there always will be.
The new year looms great with promise. Elsewhere in this issue we carry an article from brother Jim Sasser, who has determined to try this year to join the hardworking brethren in Nigeria in bringing the gospel to that land. We urge a careful reading of his letter. Brother Sasser is not alone in his desire to work in a foreign field. A number of capable and consecrated men are eager to go, ready to give their lives in this greatest of all callings, the preaching of God's word to those who have it not. We have the following recent note from brother Donald D. Mansur of Santa Susana, California:
Dear brother Tant:
It is my desire to enter the Rhodesias in South Africa to preach the gospel. Will you use the Guardian to assist me in finding some faithful congregation, or congregations, who may be interested in doing such work in 1964? I would be most grateful for any help you can give in referring me to sound churches that I might visit relative to this plan.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Donald D. Mansur
Box 305
Santa Susana, California
Brother Mansur has shown himself to be an effective and consecrated worker in the kingdom of Christ. Like Paul of old he has labored with his own hands to provide for himself and his family, while at the same time working untiringly to bring others to the knowledge of Christ. He is faithful to the truth, truly consecrated in his own life; and we would urge brethren everywhere to give most serious consideration to his plea. There are many, many others like him — men who are willing to leave friends and loved ones behind and venture into strange lands and among alien peoples for the cause of Christ. They deserve our praise — and our support.
The conservative churches of Christ in the land are awakening more and more to their obligations and responsibilities as to the preaching of the gospel. While there are beyond question a number of men identified with the "liberal" churches who are generally well taught in the fundamentals of the gospel, it is obvious to all of us who have had any great contact with them that hundreds of the younger men coming up in the liberal tradition are untaught, not rooted in the faith, and are generally without understanding as to the meaning of undenominational Christianity. These are the ones who will gradually work into places of leadership among the liberals. A man like G. C. Brewer will be replaced with an Ira North or a James Walter Nichols; men well anchored in the bed-rock fundamentals of the first principles, men like S. H. Hall or John Allen Hudson or B. C. Goodpasture, will gradually move off the stage of action to yield the leadership of the liberal churches to promoters and organizers — men like M. Norvel Young, Billie Sol Estes, W. N. Cawyer, James D. Williford and Burton Coffman. Skilled propagandists, topflight promoters, enthusiastic organizers these men are — Bible students they are NOT!
As the conservative congregations grow stronger and more numerous we hope to see them expanding more and more in their evangelistic plans, ever widening their horizons of interest, making greater and greater efforts to plant the simple truth of the gospel in every nation on earth. Let us realize that the "battle over the issues" will gradually recede into the background, and let us face with resolution and determination the future that stretches out before us — a future rich in promise, and with opportunities unlimited! The preservation and propagation of the simple gospel in our generation lies and must lie with those whose lives are fully committed to the all sufficiency of God's word and God's church. These are they who, with Paul, will be constantly "stretching forward to the things which are before." May their tribe increase!
-F. Y. T.