[u][b]Lest We Grow Calloused[/b][/u]

By W. C. Moore


Some of God’s own children are confessing to a lack in their own lives – an unexplainable hardness of heart, a subtle callousness that creeps into their souls unawares, till they find all tears gone, and oftentimes, alas, a bitterness within instead of humility, love, forbearance – and sometimes even a critical spirit manifesting itself.

[b]Perilous Times[/b]

There is no doubt whatever but that we are living now in "perilous times" (2 Tim. 3:1-12). The prevailing "spirit of the age" will swamp, engulf, overwhelm, seduce – or at least strongly influence and depress even earnest Christians unless they take alarm at the first approach of lukewarmness and do exactly as Jesus says: "Take heed to yourselves" (Luke 21:34) – and "watch…and pray always" (Luke 21:36).

When the Son of God speaks, He means what He says! In prophecy as well as in everything else, God’s only begotten Son has the preeminence (Col. 1:18). His words, pure and straight from the heart of the Father, carry warnings, which, if unheeded, leave a wicked race absolutely without help or hope. God has done the best He could do for us; He has given us His only begotten Son. If we reject or despise or ignore Him and receive not His words (John 12:48) – we are utterly hopeless!

[b]Jesus’ Warnings[/b]

Jesus’ warning on hell, where "the fire…never shall be quenched; where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-44), is one of the most terrific and fearful warnings of all Scripture.

His warning to popular, men-pleasing preachers is likewise direct, specific, clear and terrible: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you: for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26).

[b]Cure for Callousness[/b]

The cure for callousness and the lukewarmness which abound today is found alone in the application of the nail-pierced hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. By returning to Him in simple, humble, childlike faith and letting Him place those nail-scarred hands on your head – His life, His compassion, His humility, His loyalty will again flow into your soul. And His life will flow out from your life to other lives which you have been touching – which you may have been hindering – so that instead of being a stumbling block to other Christians, you will be a blessing and an inspiration.

"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30). This is a promise divine that never can fail. This is a simple remedy but it works! As we abide in Him we are not only victorious over sin and self but also fruitful (John 15:5). Talk things over with Jesus. He is still the great Savior and the great Healer. He heals broken hearts (Luke 4:18), and broken bodies (Matt. 8:16-17; Hebrews 13:8). No case is too hard for Him (Matt. 19:26).

Daily walking with the Lord keeps us free from sin. And if we should slip, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Oh, let us always believe that God’s Word means what it says! Oh, let us walk humbly with Jesus day by day along on life’s pilgrim highway – as strangers and pilgrims on this old earth. Let us be looking for the return of our heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus, and "occupying" (Luke 19:13) – keeping busy in His will and in His glorious service – in His glad service – ’til He comes! His grace is sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9), and He gives His grace, His favor, His help, His enablings to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5-7).

"He satisfies my soul,
He fills the empty place;
His love is in control –
I’m enraptured by His face.
’Tis heaven to be about Him,
How could I live without Him?
Take, take everything but my Lord!"

We who are born again Christians, who have fallen completely in love with Jesus, the Son of God, and are following Him – we who indeed have the light the world needs – we are tremendously responsible to let our light shine! It is a great privilege to live in a time like this with vast opportunities all around us. Our Lord Jesus Christ tells us: "Ye are the light of the world…" (Matt. 5:14). Let us be faithful!