March 15,1997
Dear Br. Bruce:
Can you give me a definition of faith?
“Faith is the act of the soul by which the whole man is given
over to the guardianship and control of Jesus Christ”
Here is a full and complete surrender to the control of another,
something that men find very difficult to do. God has endowed
us with qualities, abilities, responsibilities, and privileges
that often, it seems, makes it difficult for us to give them up.
It seems strange that God would give us independence and strength,
on the one hand, while asking us to surrender these traits on
the other. But such is a misreading of faith and of the Christian
life.
We pride ourselves on our independence, our ability to provide
for ourselves, to need no one else, but Christ says we must give
all of this up and let him control and guide our lives. We don’t
like to think that another must guide us because we are incapable
of guiding ourselves correctly or of controlling us because we
can’t control ourselves. But this is so.
Let me give you an example of what I mean. Perhaps you heard about
the minister in Morristown who was arrested and charged with,
among other things, posession of child pornography. Now, tell
me, was he able to control himself or guide himself correctly?
Or consider O.J. Simpson, was he able to control his jealous rages
with respect to his former wife, Nicole Simpson? Or think of yourself.
Are there urges or temptations that you cannot control. Are you
able to control your passions and urges for intimacies with the
opposite sex that are the privileges of married couples only.
Don’t get worried, I have no occasion to doubt but that you
are sexually pure and practice abstinence. But the urges of a
young man for a pretty woman can often be intense. Can you say,
with absolute assurance, that you are in sufficient control of
yourself NEVER to succumb to temptation to lust or adultery?
Now consider the word “guide.” Do you need guidance
or are you sufficiently knowledgeable of all particulars of your
life to make all necessary wise and correct decisions? I do not
ask this question sarcastically, for I am 52 years old and have
yet to arrive at the state where I no longer need guidance. Perhaps,
the reverse is true, the older I grow, the less sure of my decisions
I become and the more I recognize my need for help. But, perhaps
this is a manifestation of age for most young people are supremely
confident of themselves, and only age disabuses them of this self-confidence.
Christ gave us, men that is, our talents and abilities that he
might sanctify them and, under his wise supervision, use them
to further His kingdom on earth. Left to our own devices, we only
corrupt these wonderful gifts and use them to further the kingdom
of Satan.
Men find it very difficult to acknowledge their need of divine wisdom and control. Perhaps that is why there are so many examples of successful and unsuccessful men in the Bible. Because of their nature, women find it easier to relinquish control over their lives, but men find it very difficult. Thus, the Lord left on record many examples of faithful men who fought successfully the battle over self and prevailed and also many examples of men who failed to subdue their own passions and made incorrect decisions because they refused the guidance of the Lord. There are so many instances of both types that I need not refer to any for you are thoroughly acquainted with the Bible and can cite many instances without my prompting.
The real issue, with you, ought to be into which category will
your life fit, the successful man who obtains the well done thou
good and faithful servant from the Lord or the unfaithful man
who is cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing
of teeth.
From what little I know of you, I believe you have already made
the decision to let Christ control and guide your life, and because
of this early decision you will be found faithful in that day
when He makes up His jewels.
Do not disappoint the Lord or your family. Seek guidance whenever
and where ever you can find it but particularly pay attention
to the counsel left on record in the book of proverbs.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his ways? by taking
head thereto according to thy word.” Ps 119:9
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments
with thee; so that thou incline thy ear unto wisdom, and apply
thy heart to understanding; yea if thou cryest after knowledge,
and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her
as silver; and searchest for her as hid treasures; then shalt
thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of
God.” Proverbs 2:1-5
“When wisdom entereth into thy thine heart, and knowledge
is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding
shall keep thee;” Proverbs 210,11
To paraphrase a marine poster, be all that you can be for the
Lord.
May the Lord bless you with wisdom and understanding of himself
and his righteous ways, your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson