Comment By Torchlight

Economic Crisis

The severe measures taken by the British Government to deal with the economic ills of the nation are evidence of the serious situation which has developed. As they bite into the economy, these measures will have far-reaching results.

It is the duty of God's people to accept with cheerfulness any restrictions Government action will impose upon them. We are to "Render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's" (Matthew 22.21) and to "Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake" (1 Peter 2.13). We should, therefore, avoid any appearance of opposition or discontent, but rather be prepared to eschew unnecessary luxuries and wasteful expenditure. This is a covetous age and much sorrow stems from the "desire to be rich" (1 Timothy 6.9). We are in grave danger of setting too high a value on material prosperity and we need to be continually reminded of the injunction:

"Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for Himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee" (Hebrews 13.5).

The Things of Men

We referred here, in July last, to the tyranny of "things" and to the danger that we become so engrossed with "things" that the wonder of God escapes us.

At a crucial point in our Lord's ministry to His apostles He made reference to a realm of "things" which He described as "the things of men". It may be helpful to recall the circumstances in which He directed His apostles to the severe contrast between "the things of men" and "the things of God" (see Matthew 16.13-28).

Our Lord's historic declaration at Ceasarea Philippi marked a decisive stage in His public ministry. The gathering hostility of the rulers of Israel had reached a point where His rejection was virtually certain. This was no surprise to Him. Throughout this period of gathering hostility to their Master the apostles had listened to His words, seen His miracles, and lived at close quarters with the Perfect Man. They had become increasingly certain that He was none other than the promised Messiah. When He put to them the challenging question, "Who say ye that I am?" it was Peter who forcibly expressed their conviction, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Then followed the momentous words:

"Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

This announcement was followed by a marked change of emphasis in our Lord's ministry to His apostles. He began to speak more directly of His sufferings, His death, and His resurrection. "From that time Jesus began to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up." Although previous intimations had been given by Him of the great purpose for which He came into the world, it is evident, from the reactions of His apostles, that they had not before heard Him speak so pointedly and so definitely of His sufferings and death. This all seemed so incongruous to Peter, and he reacted in a remarkable way: "And Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall never be unto Thee." The impropriety of such a rebuke by a mere man to the Son of God would be apparent to Peter later as he reviewed this incident. No doubt the sentiments he expressed were considered by him and his fellow-apostles to be appropriate to the occasion. Our Lord at once traced them to their source: "Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto Me: for thou mindest not the things of God but the things of men." Satan was using the human instinct of self-interest in an attempt to deflect our Lord from the path of His Father's will. And He employed a favoured apostle, on a most solemn occasion, as the instrument of His temptation!

It was in these circumstances that our Lord named two opposing spheres of influence - "the things of God" and "the things of men". The sentiments expressed by Peter came in the latter category. We may well enquire, which is the dominating influence in your life and mine? If an apostle could be misled and. with the best of intentions, make such a serious error, how necessary it is for you and for me to be watchful lest we also are motivated by mere self-interest! The subtle temptation is often with us, Spare yourself, avoid reproach whenever possible; patronize the things of God but don't get too deeply involved-make the best of both worlds. Even in our Christian service we may allow self-interest to intrude. Are we jealous of our position or our prestige? Do we covet human praise and are we offended if we do not receive it? Are we sensitive to criticism and soured by it? These are the kind of questions which search our motives and indicate which sphere of "things" we live in.

Our Lord chose this occasion to give a definition of Christian discipleship. Here is the acid test. How few of us aspire to it!

"If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it."

unknown | Sept 1966
Comment By Torchlight