The Spirit at Work
W. Carl Ketcherside
[Page 104] |
An Oklahoma brother, who is an excellent writer and a researchist of no mean ability, expresses his commendation for the current series of articles on the influence of the Spirit of God in our lives. He poses two questions. "Is there any scriptural teaching that the Holy Spirit will not or cannot lead a child of God into contact with an open-minded soul in need of salvation? Or, bring to memory a scripture appropriate for the occasion?"
Although most of us in the Churches of Christ tend to avoid and evade such pointed questions, it is probably a little bit dishonest to do so. We cannot always talk in the realm of theory and never get down to the practical aspects of the Spirit's work. Even an eagle must stop soaring occasionally to find rest upon a tree branch or rocky crag. And such questions as our brother poses tend to bring us down to earth.
One reason for my reluctance to write in regard to these matters is due to the fact that one must relate personal experiences to justify his position and I do not believe the Spirit of God is limited to working through any two of us in the same fashion. For this reason, too, no man can ever use his personal experience as a criterion by which to measure another. To do so would be like Paul insisting that no one could find Jesus anywhere except five miles south of the Damascus city limits, and then only at high noon.
The God who made us all unique personalities can also do some unique things in our lives. I believe, as you know, that the Spirit is active in the children of God. I am conscious of his abiding presence in my own life constantly. Really, I hold that God is interested in every phase of my existence. When I am completely surrendered to his purpose he can providentially shape my destiny and "mould me and make me after his will!" For that reason, regardless of what transpires, I look around to see what divine purpose is to be served.
God took some pretty frustrating experiences in the life of Joseph and turned them into ultimate good. He used pagan kings, murderous conspirators, and other shady characters to put Esther into a place where she could serve his people. I serve the same God who saved Daniel in a den of lions, and three young Hebrews in a fiery furnace. If he could make a path through the Red Sea to get his host out of Egypt, he can clear a path through campus atheists and ecumenical doubters and I can march through and never get my feet wet. The Holy Spirit has always been inter-
[Page 105] |
Paul had always wanted to go to Rome. He planned a trip there after he took assistance to the poor in Jerusalem. He ran afoul of some street demonstrators who beat him up and would have killed him if the national guard had not come out and rescued him. Then he was made the pawn of scheming politicians who tried for two years to get a bribe from his friends. Finally he contested the case on the ground that his civil rights were being violated so he was sent to the supreme court on appeal. On the way he was shipwrecked and suffered a snakebite.
But while he was in prison he wrote, "Now, concerning myself, I want you to know, my brothers, that what has happened to me, in effect, turned out to the advantage of the gospel. For, first of all, my imprisonment means a personal witness for Christ before the palace guards, not to mention others who come and go." A lot of things have happened unto me that also turned out to the advantage of the gospel.
I well remember when I first began to pray that the Lord would open up "a great door and effectual, though the adversaries be many." Up to that time I had been planning everything on my own, and didn't feel any real need for God's help. Actually, of course, I wasn't really fishing but merely seining minnows. My life was not very exciting or adventuresome. Dabbling around in the shallows with stereotyped sermon outlines will not really create waves. It is a fairly safe way to kill yourself.
But when I could no longer endure my own emptiness, I resolved to cut the chains which provided both slavery and security. Immediately things began to happen! Since that day I have been in all kinds of thrilling, breathtaking encounters--scores of them! And I have just begun. I love every minute of it! There is never a dull moment, not one. There is no time for remorse over the past. God leads to where the action is!
Let me cite examples of how the Spirit brings one into contact with hungry souls who are unaware of where the bread supply is located. I fly a great deal, criss-crossing the continent many times per year. I began to pray months ago that the Lord would make it possible for me to be seated next to persons who needed my witness. Since that very time I have talked by the hour about Jesus to all kinds of people--an Oriental professor of history, a young Russian and Japanese-speaking linguist who is a United Nations interpreter, a black militant, a stockbroker from the West Coast who was contemplating suicide when he reached his destination. I have witnessed to college athletes, soldiers, sailors and a professional dancer. God's grace knows no favorites!
Not long ago there was only one vacant space on the plane, the center seat next to my aisle seat. A handsome businessman took the seat, and before we were off the ground I asked him what he thought about Jesus. He turned out to be a prominent officer in the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City. It was an animated two hours we spent together and we parted in the terminal as close friends despite our theological differences.
Let me tell you how God used a sleet storm to make it possible for me to reach some people I would never have otherwise touched. I was on a speaking program at a college. A youthful black inner city worker appeared on the same program.
[Page 106] |
That night the air terminal notified me that a storm was moving in and all flights were cancelled the next day. The next morning I found the young man with a white schoolteacher in the lobby of the motel. Some inner urge had prompted the young black man to remain overnight. I rode to Kansas City with the two of them and we did not miss a minute in talking about the Lord. I emphasized that social work without Jesus was like a cut flower in a vase as opposed to a growing one. We must sink our roots down deep in the soil of faith if we are to continue to bloom. It had a profound effect upon the three of us to be drawn thus close in the bundle of life, because of Jesus Christ.
The men took me to the Kansas City terminal where I tried in succession Trans World Airlines, Frontier and Braniff, in regular order. I secured a reservation on each, only to have the flight cancelled before boarding procedures began. Finally Braniff secured a Greyhound Bus to transport us to Saint Louis, a four-hour journey. Again there was just one vacant seat. It was next to mine and the bus was backing out of the terminal stall when someone banged on the side, and was admitted to sit down beside me.
The man was using profanity about our plight but I told him it could be much worse and that I knew a friend who could turn it all to our good. I then gave him the story of how Jesus had moved into my life and changed my attitude until I could love even my enemies. We talked the whole way. He had been a Roman Catholic in his earlier days and had lost all faith. He told me that his visit with me was the most interesting and profitable four hours he had ever known. He thanked me profusely. I learned then that he was a Vice-President of Humble Refining Company, wealthy and empty inside.
The same Spirit who prompted Philip to meet the Ethiopian Secretary of the Treasury from one of the richest nations on earth, can make it possible for me to contact someone who is ready for a new dimension of life. I have no doubt at all that he has done so and will continue to do it. Through his instrumentality during the last year I have shared the good news with dropouts from society in hippie communes and with associations of ecumenical ministers from religious establishments. I have spoken on college and university campuses, and to thousands of high school students. It has been my privilege to address ethnic groups of all kinds and speak at sectarian gatherings of many varieties.
I simply turn my life over to God and offer to go into any situation where he calls me. If he gets me in he will get me out. One who has only a sword as a weapon cannot choose his ground. If he fights at all he must engage in eyeball-to-eyeball encounter on the grounds chosen by his opponent. Truth asks no favor. It craves no advantage. The Spirit is my strength and my helper. I want to go everywhere as Paul went to Thessalonica. "We came on to you only because God gave us courage. We came to tell you the gospel, whatever the opposition might be." Right on! Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go! Anywhere he leads me in this world below. That isn't just a song with me. It is a motto!