"Go Ye."

by "Sunergos." | Category: General | Jan 1952

Much has been said and written regarding the function of God's together people as a Holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2.5). This is a highly important privilege and responsibility devolving upon those who by God's grace "as living stones, are built up a spiritual house," and too much cannot be heard on the subject, nor can reference to it too often be made.

In this article, however, it is the writer's desire to ponder that further purpose which God has in a people together for Himself, expressed in 1 Peter 2. " That ye may shew forth the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light."

Doubtless there are many ways in which. His excellencies may he shown forth by God's people in their imitation of Him; as for instance by the order and steadfastness of their faith in Christ (Colossians 2.5) being made manifest. Al59 as each is able to say, as the apostle could say, "I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me," so, in measure, His excellencies may be shewn forth in us individually. Then by preaching "unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ," Paul, in his day, showed forth His excellencies.

This he regarded as the ambition of his life, and he could say "that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."

For this purpose, he realized God had "separated him, even from

his mother's womb, and called him through His grace" (Galatians 1.15), and he was able to say, "I do all things for the gospel's sake."

Now whilst it is true that we have not been called in the very special way in which Paul was, nevertheless we have been "called into the Fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1. 9), to be a collective testimony whose privilege and responsibility it is to "shew forth the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light."

To us then the words of the Lord Jesus come to-day, "Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28.19).

The scope of this commission is no less to-day than when it was first given, "All Nations," and includes the peoples in these favoured British Isles and the many nations overseas.

If disciples are to be made, the gospel must be proclaimed that men may hear and be saved,-so we read, "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved."

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10. 18-15).

As we view the vastness of the task committed to us, do not the words of the Lord ring in our ears and find a response in our hearts? "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth labourers into His harvest" (Matthew 9.87, 88).

With such a glorious message to proclaim, and with the privilege granted to us of serving Him to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given, may there be an eager response from us to His command, "Go ye."

"Shall we whose souls are lighted

With wisdom from on high,

Shall we, to man benighted,

The lamp of life deny?

Salvation, oh salvation,

The joyful sound proclaim,

Till each remotest nation

Has heard Messiah's name."

How often we sing such words! but do they really move our hearts, and cause us to respond to His inquiry, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" with the reply, "Here am I, send me"?

There is great need for labourers in the field here, and overseas, where "They call us to deliver their souls from error's chain."

Much help is also urgently needed in many assemblies in other lands, where the words of the Master have their voice for us to-day, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you" (Matthew 28.20).

May we each be exercised to do our part in seeking to fulfil the purpose which the Lord has in us as a Royal Priesthood!

If it is His will to send us out, "Ambassador to be, of realms beyond the sea," let us be prepared to go at His bidding, or, if otherwise, to render all the help we can by our earnest constant prayers, by giving of our substance, and in many other ways open to us.

"Let none hear you idly saying,

'There is nothing I can do,'

While the souls of men are dying,

And the Master calls for you;

Take the task He gives you gladly,

Let His work your pleasure be,

Answer gladly when He calleth,

'Here am I, send me, send me.'"

"Sunergos." | Jan 1952
General