"Laid Hold On"
There are two aspects of Christianity, which at first glance appear contradictory, but which on closer study are beautifully complementary the one to the other. The first is that seeking, searching, striving ("agonizing" is the way the Lord put it) to enter in by the narrow gate that leadeth unto life. The second aspect is that feeling of "being laid hold on", possessed, owned, captured, and controlled by some tremendous force or power which dominates our very lives. We begin with that first hungering search, and progressively realize that as we earnestly seek to "lay hold on" eternal life we are actually "laid hold on by Christ Jesus" and become his slave, his bond servant.
We never achieve any great satisfaction from our Christian life until that second phase takes over, until we become so "totally committed" that we can not only understand, but can actually share the exultant cry of the great Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me." A few years ago we saw an excerpt from the Congressional Record in which an American communist was telling what socialism meant to him. His dedication, shared by other Communists, will go far to explain why this evil force has gained so many followers throughout the world. This was the kind of single-mindedness those early Christians knew --- and which has become so rare indeed among modern day "believers". Here is a part of what this man said about socialism:
".... but there is one thing about which I am in dead earnest, and that is the socialist cause. I work at it in the daytime and dream of it at night. Its hold on me grows, not lessens, as time goes on. I'll be in it the rest of my life, It is my alter ego. When you think of me, it is necessary to think of socialism as well, because I am inseparably bound to R.
"Therefore, I cannot carry on a friendship, a love affair, or even a conversation without relating it to this force which both drives and guides my life.
"I have already been in jail because of my ideas, and if necessary, I am readyto go before a firing squad. A certain percentage of us get killed or imprisoned. Even for those who escape these harsher ends, life is no bed of roses. A dedicated Communist lives in virtual poverty. He turns back to the party every penny he makes above what is absolutely necessary to keep him alive. He constantly looks for places where class struggle is the sharpest. We lead strikes. We organize demonstrations. We speak on street corners. We go through trying experiences many times each year which the ordinary man has to face only once or twice in a lifetime.
"Radicals don't have the time or money for many movies or concerts, or T-bone steaks, decent homes and new cars. We've been described as fanatics. We are. Our lives are dominated by one great, overshadowing factor --- the struggle for socialism.
"We have a cause to fight for, a definite purpose in life. We subordinate our petty personal selves into a great movement of humanity. We have a code of conduct, a way of life, a devotion to our cause that no religious order can touch."
How many Christians do you know with that kind of dedication to the cause of Christ? That was what Paul had; that was what was behind his phrase "laid hold on." He had truly been "captured" by the Lord Jesus Christ; his life he held as of no value or importance. He told the Ephesian elders, "But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
Sadly, there are some Christians who seem never to understand or experience this particular aspect of Christianity. They know much of the burden, but little of the joy, of serving Christ. Life is grim and graceless, a constant struggle. Weariness is a daily threat. But for the truly dedicated Christian, for the truly dedicated Christian, for the one who has been "laid hold on", Christianity is not weight, but wings. He "counts ft all joy" when he falls into manifold trials, knowing that the proving of his faith worketh patience. And he finds a happiness, a deep fulfillment of life a rich inner contentment in the serving of Christ which nothing else on this earth can afford.
Elsewhere in this issue is a brief article by Sister Alma Jacquith, also an article about her by William Wallace and Loren Raffles. This writer has known and loved the Jacquith family for more than a quarter of a century. And in the lovely life of this noble Christian woman were truly exhibited those qualities of consecration, and deep joy of heart and soul, with which this editorial has been concerned. In fact, it was Sister Jacquith's article "Rays of Light From The Empty Tomb", and the blessed memory of happy hours in her home which motivated this writing. If the death of one of his saints is "precious" in the eyes of the Lord, then it can hardly be an unmitigated sorrow in the hearts of those who grieve.
F. Y. T.