A Law of Life

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     The study of biology has revealed an axiomatic rule of life that "what does not function dies." Living organisms are created with a purpose and unless they fulfill that purpose death is inevitable. Because all forms of life are products of the same divine Creator, and all are related to an orderly universe, lessons for higher forms of life may be drawn from the lower. On this basis, Agur, the son of Jakeh, in his discussions with Ithiel and Ucal, made reference to four things which he affirmed to be wise in spite of miniature size. The ants teach the value of preparedness for future needs; the conies demonstrate the advantage of defensive positions; the locusts the power of cooperative effort and unity; and the spider the results accruing from habits of industry in the proper places (Proverbs 30:24-28).

     The wise monarch, Solomon, who was universally famous as a naturalist in his day, also used the ant as an exemplar for his subjects, in order to arouse them from lethargy, and thus avoid their becoming

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public charges and poverty-ridden through laziness and neglect. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise, which having no guide, overseer or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest." The implication is that the ant works diligently and does so without the prompting or prodding of an overseer or ruler, and furthermore, her labors are not postponed, put off, or delayed until the time of distress. Having no guide, she instinctively fulfills her role in life. She is not conscious of the rule that "what does not function dies," but the result would be the same whether she knew the facts or not.

     Recently, certain companies have been producing small containers with a glass on one side, each of which contains an ant colony. These are filled with dirt and arranged so the subterranean tunnels are exposed. They are not advertised as mere toys but as educational projects. A tiny door permits the observer to drop small bits of food inside, and then watch the efforts of the ants to gather it, and store it for use in special chambers which they have provided as granaries. The developers of these instructive media are only proving once again that the Bible is not out of date, and those who purchase them out of interest are hut heeding the ancient word of wisdom, "Go to the ant, consider her ways and be wise."

     Another excellent example of community activity with preservation of life at stake is the bee colony. Not only is it necessary that nectar be gathered, wax storage bins built, and bread made for the young, hut heat is required to keep from freezing in weather extremes. Accordingly, all of the inhabitants of the multiple dwelling, called a hive, must exercise themselves diligently in wing vibration in unison. This serves a dual purpose. The activity protects against creeping cold, and the air generated and circulated by hundreds of wings beating in rhythmic pattern reduces the chance of accumulation of deadly frost. "That which does not function dies."

     Recent laboratory experiments have been made with small kittens. The right eye of each of these was blindfolded or bandaged until no light could filter through. After a number of weeks in this condition, the animals were sacrificed to research science, and the optical nerves were carefully examined. It was determined that in every instance the nerves regulating the right eye were greatly weakened or atrophied. A similar experiment was performed on rats, all of which were reared in complete darkness. Upon being released in the light, they were helpless, nor did they ever regain the ability to see where they were going. The optical nerves had been rendered useless because they were not used. "That which does not function dies."

     What is true in the natural realm also obtains in the spiritual. God never bestowed a useless gift. Jesus likens his disciples to the salt of the earth. In his day among men, this was the only known preservative. If meat was not salted, it deteriorated rapidly. If the world is not sited, it will perish. It tends always to decay and disintegrate when righteous lives are not brought to bear upon its tissues. Most great past civilizations were not destroyed from without. They fell apart at the seams. The only hope of survival lies in the disciples of Jesus. What happens when they lose their saltness, when the strength-giving qualities are lost in world conformity? The world is consumed by its own rottenness. And the salt is good for nothing. It is discarded, thrown out with the garbage. It has failed to achieve that for which it was created.

     Make no mistake about it, we face grim eventualities in these days. All we hold dear hangs precariously in the balance. Lurking in the shadows are sinister forces of evil waiting for the right moment to slink in upon us. The dialectical materialism of Marx and Lenin is slowly but surely engulfing within its gaping and insatiable maw, millions of men and women for whom Jesus died, but who know it not. Secularism, like a dark and foreboding cloud, issues its poisonous fumes to choke out the power which has made our nation great under God. What is being done by those who profess to be disciples of the Nazarene?

     Their lives are weak, inspirationless and

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powerless! They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Beguiled by the tempter into making bread of the golden stones dug from the hillside; lured into worshiping him by promises of the kingdoms of this world; busily employed in proving that they are sons of God by high-flying tactics, having cast themselves away from the temple, they are conformists with, and not transformers of the world. Ritual is substituted for worship, programs for power, the spirit of the world for the Holy Spirit of God. No longer does the salt seek to preserve. It must now be preserved. No longer does it try to minister. It must now be ministered unto! God's royal priesthood has abdicated its function. And that which does not function cannot live!

     The community of saints is no longer an army of well-equipped soldiers. It is an organized mass of humanity sitting in the grandstand watching trained gladiators do battle in the arena. The church buildings are now theaters with ushers, carpeted aisles, cushioned seats, printed programs, and trick lighting arrangements for varied effects. The pulpit is a stage where a polished professional exhibits his dramatic talents. God's children no longer gather to sit around the family table; they are spectators gathering for entertainment. If the performer is not up to expectations, they drift off, float about, going here and there until they find one who has the flair they want.

     Do not be deluded! Do not be misled by supposedly optimistic reports in partisan journals. Christianity is not gaining ground in the world. It is losing, losing, losing! And it is losing out precisely because of the existence of what most of its adherents think is its greatest strength. The salvation of men--and the preservation of the world--lies not with majestic programs, huge physical plants, a well trained and polished professional class. It is a great question whether, in the final analysis, these things will not be in the other pan of the balance, weighing against the plan and purpose of God. The only real hope is that there may still be a sufficient remnant of the humble, poor, hardworking, but committed and dedicated souls, whom God can use in this age of luxury and vice "to shame the wise" and "to bring to nothing the things that are!"

     It is not how well men function for us when hired to do so that will determine our right to enter heaven. It is not how beautiful the program designed by the leaders, how luxurious the temple where we attend, or how much is sent by the group to fields foreign and domestic, that means life for us. Men can die amidst the luxuries and in the downy bed of a palace. We are created spiritually, as we are physically, for a function, and we must either function or die! We cannot grow strong on what another eats; we will not be preserved by the mental attainment or accomplishment of someone else. The apostle said that he who would not work, should not eat! If one does not eat he will die. But it was not the apostle who decreed such death; it was the man who chose not to work who sealed his own death warrant. That which does not function must die.

     Any system created by men which militates against every man utilizing the gifts God has bestowed upon him, is detrimental and harmful. It is useless to point to the success of such a system as the world estimates success. It will, in its ultimate, destroy those whom it proposes to save, and damn those whom it purports to rescue. We must give account for what God has given us. Whether we possess one talent or five, the Lord must be faced and an account rendered! He who does not function will die!