Every devout, enlightened Christian knows that our day is one of unprecedented trouble. This knowledge fills him with a great desire to do something about it. But, coupled with this sad knowledge and this burning desire is the conviction that this trouble is deep-seated and world-wide. As the Christian scans the heavens he sees that the skies are filled with black clouds which boil with maddened fury. The granite indifference of the masses, the vast population explosion in heathen lands, unbelief and worldliness in the sanctuary, an almost incredible lawlessness and sensuality in the nations and the very real threat of total nuclear destruction all combine to fill the Christian with dismay. As he compares these conditions with the Word of God the realization dawns that the end-time is upon this unhappy world.
Should the Christian, along with sinners, shrug his shoulders and say that because he cannot materially alter the world-wide picture he will therefore sit with folded hands and await the end? Such an attitude would be ruinous to his own soul and treasonable to the spiritual need about him. This attitude would also involve direct disobedience to the Savior who charged, “Occupy till I come.”
The general fact of a world gone mad with sin becomes very pointed and particular as the Christian realizes that he has many acquaintances; friends and loved ones who are “daring to remain unforgiving” even in these awful days. This fact, if he walks in the Spirit and does not allow the din of modern life to drown out spiritual things, will become the dominating thought of his days and the crushing burden of his nights. The thought that some of his own circle are now, through unbelief, condemned already and may soon be damned eternally becomes almost intolerable to him. Realizing that mere human persuasion is totally important against deeply entrenched sin, the Christian is driven to his knees and a devout inventory of the promises of God. Right here it is in order to say that the great majority of Christians should humble themselves in deep repentance over the fact that they have successfully pleaded so few of these promises.
It is true that God will not, and under His laws of free-agency cannot, compel the surrender of a soul. But it is also true that He can and does bring great pressure to bear upon unconverted souls in answer to believing prayer. His hornets have a way of helping folks make up their minds. We need not fear that our prayers will induce God to invade the citadel of free-will and thus essentially ruin those for whom we pray. We should, rather, mourn over the fact that all too often our intercessory prayers have been so weak and intermittent. This lack of faith and persistence has “limited the Holy One of Israel” in His efforts to save our loved one. How will we answer in the Great Day of Judgment if we have allowed the “exceeding great and precious promises” to go unclaimed and unfulfilled?
--R. A. Kerby
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