November 24 Daily Devotional

November 24 Accepting an ‘old gospel’ in a modern world (iii)
(continued from November 23)

Our third and last reason [for presenting modern man with the ancient gospel of Christ] ... is that there is nothing better than it... that it is still the only thing in the world which can adequately deal with the problem and the condition of man. Let us agree wholeheartedly with the modern man when he says that he believes always in having the best.... Let us by all means have the best, whatever it may cost and whatever its source may be. Further, it is true to say that in many realms and departments of life the latest is undoubtedly the best. Of all the amazing and phenomenal advances which were made in the last* war, there has been none ... comparable to the advances that were made in the prevention and treatment of the ills of the physical body. We are all aware of the fact that by means of preventive inoculation our children can be safeguarded from the ravages of such diseases as whooping cough and diphtheria ... [and] of the new chemical treatment of diseases by means of the sulphonamide drugs, and by .. . penicillin.... The change is truly astonishing ... in the treatment of the ills and diseases of the body the latest is the best. But can the same be said about the prevention, treatment and cure of the ills of the soul of man? Is there some wonderful inoculation which can be given to young men and women which will render them immune to the insinuations and suggestions of sin which meet them on the streets, in the movies, in the books and magazines which they read? ... Is there some wonderful drug which can be given to a man tormented by an accusing conscience ...? Is there a tonic which ... will strengthen his feeble will ...? Is there some magical potion that can be given to a man who on his deathbed realizes his sinfulness and is afraid to meet his God and Judge Eternal?

... There is but one cure for the ills of man.... It is to know that Jesus ... has forgiven me. It is only from Him ... that I can be more than conqueror. It is always, and only, in Christ that I find satisfaction.

Truth Unchanged, Unchanging, pp. 114–17

*The Second World War.