MAGNETIC CHRISTIANS

No, we are not thinking of the gaudy, sensational person whom the world con­siders a real "go-getter." Nor are we considering one who attracts attention to himself. But Christians may attract men to Christ! Why are not people drawn to the Lord? It may be that have not been told about the gospel, God's power to save (Rom. 1:16). And certainly that is what must save them, but the disciple of Christ must also playa part in this; in get­ting people to obey the gospel. How can we get them to do this? how can we move them to obey God?

First, people must be made to feel some­thing. No, not the popular "heartfelt reli­gion" that never saved anybody. But men need to be made to feel the awfulness and burden of sin. Only when sin is felt is its destructive power realized in the lives of men. Firmly, but kindly men need to be told of sin and its terrible effects. When they feel this need, then they will seek forgiveness.

Second, people need an anchor; a moor­ing place in the storms of life to keep them from drifting aimlessly. In a word, they need something to trust in. People seem to trust in everything but the right thing! It may be a reliance on self, other men, or even materialism. Such trust is in a "broken reed;" it will not do. In­stead, men need to be shown that real trust is in the living God (1 Tim. 6:17). Then the question needs to be asked, "how are these feelings produced?"

First, we look at the negative side of the question. Proper feelings are not produced by cold, hard formalism; merely "going through the motions" as some do in religion. The heart is not in these. So­cial activities in religion will not do it. But folks may be drawn to Christ as they see Christ living in us. We must change the hearts of men before we can change their lives. Can we do this if our own lives are not what they should be? We know the answer to that one. What then do people see in us? Do they see folks who "say and do not?"

We must teach men the gospel, for that is the only thing that will save them (Rom. 1:16). But one way to do this is to let them see that the gospel means some­thing in our own lives. I once heard of a "personal worker" who said: "why con­vert people? they will probably turn out just like me!" If that's the case, we need to get "me" straightened out! - Bill Moseley

 

In a certain society (in which the citizens were most "enlightened") there were many questions and disagreements. One of those citizens was a medical doctor who had many patients coming to him for divers and sundry diseases, and happily, most were healed. This was good, for all men need to have good, healthy bodies.

It came to pass that a certain young lady come to see the good doctor. As she sat before him, she had a small child (one who had just had her first birthday) on her lap. She was a beautiful child, and ob­viously was a great delight to her mother. "What could possibly be wrong with this young woman," wondered the doctor?  Thinking to himself, "perhaps something is amiss with the child, but she looks per­fectly healthy... mmm??" Then the young woman explained to the benevolent doc­tor her plight. Behold, she was with child (two months) along. "This is wonderful," thought the good doctor - "this young woman desires that I become her doctor in bringing into the world another beauti­ful child."

But no - the young woman had another request. "Good doctor," she began, "I have a tragic problem. You see, I simply cannot afford two children, and I now come seeking an abortion. I want you to assist me in 'terminating' my pregnancy." After all, this was the accepted thing of the day, and seemed to be a simple solution to the problem. And best of all, the "enlightened citizens" would not criti­cize or condemn her for it.

And the good doctor answered and said unto her, "behold, I have better solution. It will be much cheaper and safer for you, for you will not be risking your health. Since you cannot afford two babies, why do you not just leave the young child on your lap with me and I will kill her in­stead. You may then leave my office, have your other baby without the risk of artificially terminating the life of the baby presently living inside your body."

"How cruel!" cried the young woman ­"what kind of barbarian are you to sug­gest such a thing as this?" The good doc­tor then watched her go away sorrowful, for she had been much brainwashed by her "enlightened society" into thinking the liv­ing, pulsing life within her was not truly a human being. Truly, the legs of the lame are not equal! - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

The mother looked out on the porch to see her five small children in a huddle. Then she spied the five baby skunks they were playing with! Horrified, she hollered, "children, RUN!" The startled kids did just that., each one of them carrying a baby skunk and ran! Which goes to show that prob­lems do have a way of multiplying if not handled properly.

Just like my "problem" awhile back. I had just been waiting for some surly postal clerk to give me an "Elvis" stamp. I knew I didn't want it but never stopped to think what might happen if I got one. You guessed it - one day I was handed one and the first words out were: "I .don't want that; I wouldn't hang that pot-head's picture in my little house with the moon on the door, much less put it on my mail!" The startled clerk hastily grabbed it back - gave mea stamp with a flower on it.

That presented me with another problem. Got to thinking - "I shouldn't have said that to the poor ; she didn't produce the stamp." My con­science bothered me until I went back and apolo­gized to her (sort of like getting on the waitress' case because" the cook ruined your hamburger?). Anyhow, she didn't have a problem, saying, "Oh, that's OK." But I had a problem and decided to "fix it" the right way.

Well, I fixed my problem and felt better about the whole thing, vowing not to jump at the wrong per­son again. But one thing is still sure - I may have to put up with a lot in life, but I still don't. want that skunk on my mail. - Bill Moseley