The election of a president of the United States is always of interest throughout the world, but the election this year takes on added significance. On its outcome may depend the lives and livelihood of millions of people on both sides of the "iron curtain." It may help to make or to prevent war.
In the providential ways of God He has allowed the United States to become involved in international affairs on all continents, while its navy operates in all oceans. Therefore the next administration in Washington will face matters of gigantic proportions. All the complex problems of how to cope with the ever-present threat of Russian expansion must be met. Decisions will have to be made on bulwarking Western Europe's defenses, and of ways and means to forestall further aggression in Asia by Russia or her satellites. In difficulties at home and abroad, in strife in any part of the world, problems of both military and economic natures will beset the government.
Who then is the proper man to lead the United States after next January? We have to answer plainly, WE DO NOT KNOW.
One thing we do know is that God has decreed that this world shall, in His own time, be ruled by the Man of His choice—the Son of man—the Lord Jesus Christ. No effort of man or Satan will frustrate this purpose of God; but the working out of His ways to bring about His purposes, He has not disclosed.
Many Christians will be very busy seeking to get the man of their choice elected, but the man God chooses will win. Therefore the Christian who is instructed in the mind of God will not be a participant in political matters; he will be nothing more than an intelligent observer who, without distraction, is just waiting to see how his God and Father orders the outcome. He will know that what God does is right and best. It may not be best for ease and tranquility, but it will serve to the DEVELOPMENT of the things He has purposed.
The words of another might be appropriate here: "God moves behind the scenes, and moves all the scenes He is behind." What perfect peace that should give to the heart of a Christian. His Father is overruling all, so he can safely leave everything in His hands, all the while just waiting for the shout that shall call the redeemed to be with Christ in the glory (1 Thess. 4).
Recently we noticed, at the changing of sovereigns in England, the words found in Dan. 2—"He removeth kings, and setteth up kings." v. 21. This is just as true of an elected official in the United States as of any king or ruler. The will of the people may be sought, but the will of God will be done. "The powers that be are ordained of God" is true, even of Stalin in Russia. He could not be in supreme command if God did not allow it. There is little doubt but that the Soviet Dictator has set the wheels in motion that have brought the events for the time of the end onto the horizon.
May we, fellow-Christians, set our minds "on things above"—above all the strife and din—"where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
"Then let us, brethren, while on earth,
With foes and strangers mixed,
Be mindful of our heavenly birth,
Our thoughts on glory fixed.
"That we should glorify Him here
Our Father's purpose is;
Whene'er the Savior shall appear, He'll fully own us His."
"Called from above, and heavenly men by birth,
(Who once were but the citizens of earth)
As pilgrims here, we seek a heavenly home,
Our portion, in the ages yet to come.
"We are but strangers here, we do not crave
A home on earth, which gave Thee but a grave;
Thy cross has severed ties which bound us here,
Thyself our treasure in a brighter sphere."
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At the request of a servant of the Lord who has a genuine care for the saints, and an interest in how they "get on" (see Phil. 2:1919But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. (Philippians 2:19); N. Trans.), we write a few lines regarding the danger and wrong of following the world's changing fashions. '
Our brother was especially concerned lest a current wave of cropping women's hair should ensnare the saints. Too often things are done by Christians without first considering whether it is according to Scripture, or pleasing to the Lord.
The very elements of the world are indicated in the latest fashion for women's hair. Its designation is undignified and unworthy of a Christian, and lacks the sobriety and discretion to which we are called while in our passage through the world (Titus 2:2-62That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. (Titus 2:2‑6)
It is a deplorable thing when Christian men or women adopt the world's ways and follow its fleeting fancies. The Word of God is very plain:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable [intelligent] service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Rom. 12:1, 21I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1‑2).
It is indeed a sad commentary on a Christian's state of soul when he follows the vain and fickle fads of fashion. Surely it is conformity to the world to do so.
Some may retort that eventually the fads of the world are adopted by Christians. This is not necessarily true; often the fads die before they are well started. And there are some customs and manners of dress that are not wrong in themselves, but is it not beneath the Christian to rush to follow the vogues of the world, even when there is nothing wrong with them in themselves? We leave it to the individual conscience before God as to whether the child of God should watch every changing style and mode to be sure and keep up with the world. We are not called upon to dress unbecomingly, or to go about in the garb of a nun; such a practice would not be walking in wisdom toward them "without" (Col. 4:55Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5)), but we are called upon to seek to dress and order our lives in a manner pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:15-1715See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15‑17); Col. 3:1717And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)). The realization of this would simplify many problems.
Then there are some deeper questions that often arise in the matter of the world's fashions.
If the fashion becomes stable so that one is not rushing to follow the world by using it, then one question raised by Scripture is this is it modest apparel? The Word of God is plain on that point (1 Tim. 2:99In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy 2:9)). No matter if the whole world accepts a certain vogue which is immodest, then it is always wrong for the Christian.
Take the matter of "costly array." The Scripture warns against this extravagance (1 Tim. 2:99In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (1 Timothy 2:9)). It is a basic principle which should guide men and women in many things. Now we do not say that because a thing is low priced it should be bought, for we need to be wise in the use of the money the Lord entrusts to us, and often cheap merchandise is costly in the end; but there surely is a point where "costly array" begins. If it is put on to improve one's station in life, then pride is the root of the desire. Each should weigh such matters before the Lord, for it is to the Lord we have to give account—not to each other.
Then take the matter of the short hair. Is not the Word of God sufficiently plain on this? "If a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her." 1 Cor. 11:1515But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:15). Shall one then take the very thing that God has given for one's glory, and sacrifice it on the altar of the world's fashion?