Our Drawing Power

W. Carl Ketcherside

[Page 12]

     The church for which our Lord died is a simple, rather than a complex organism. Jesus lived a simple life among humble people. He was looked upon as a peasant carpenter in the region of his home. He knew nothing of luxury, worldly wealth, or ease. The ambassadors he selected and sent forth were unlearned men. They knew hardship and were acquainted with unremitting toil. The members of the one body in the first centuries were mainly slaves. They frequently met for worship before daybreak so they would not intrude upon the master's time, and to be free from the prying gaze of enemy spies. They owned no church property, but gathered in private homes and upper rooms. They were the poor of this world, but rich in faith.

     When men are given special honor in the church because of worldly attainment, whether it be in wealth, education, or political prestige, the spiritual life wanes. The greatest enemy we face is pride. The church stifles the Spirit when it thrusts into prominence, as drawing cards, those of its number who are movie stars, outstanding athletes, or who have doctorate degrees. To bask in the reflected glory of great men is to dim the majesty of Jesus in the eyes of our fellowman. The humble saint who sings the songs of Zion with cracked voice may be greater in God's estimation than the crooner whose face is pictured on theatrical magazines. He who runs with patience the race set before him may be more worthy than the crack miler of the sports pages. The one who knows naught but Jesus and him crucified, may be closer to the spirit of the lowly Nazarene than the lecturer upon ponderous themes.

     God's children should not ape the world's tactics, nor employ the world's methods to achieve recognition. We fight a losing battle when we borrow the armor of the enemy. The only attraction we have any right to offer sinful men is the man Christ Jesus. In him the world finds the ideal it needs so much. His power has not weakened. He declares, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me." Our task is not to draw men. It is to lift him up!

     The erection of mammoth temples of pride, the boastful advertising of elaborate programs, the recounting of earthly attainments of pompous speakers, all of these are far removed from the humility and simplicity which were the strength of primitive saints. It is possible that the apostles of our Lord would not be welcome to speak in many places today where men pay lip service to their writings. Our Lord may be standing outside, unable to find room in the hearts of many who profess to follow him. We need to recapture the ideal of the simple life, so that even the lowliest may feel at home among us. We need to develop the Christian philosophy as our guide through life, so that we shall really believe that the road to greatness is pointed out by the signs of self-denial and service. The table of the Lord should be the gathering place of all his children, rich and poor, great and small, black and white. Caste systems based upon economic status, educational attainment, or racial differences, will be unknown in heaven, and should be foreign to the church on earth.