Five Words to Saints: Introduction

From: Young Christian: Volume 31, 1941

• 1 min. read • grade level: 5

Part 1

“In the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:19¹⁹Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:19)

There are five words which I wish to bring before the saints, to stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance. My desire is to provoke them to love and to good works. We need, brethren, to have our “loins girt about with truth,” for there is a tendency with us to hold the truth loosely, and to talk about it in a light way, instead of its girding us, and our being braced up, and kept, by it. The word to us is

“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord.” Luke 12:36³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (Luke 12:36).

Our minds, our works, ourselves, and all connected with us, should show that we look for “the coming of the Lord.” How far are we really, practically waiting and watching for Him? The day is approaching; His coming is near. (Heb. 10:25, 37²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
³⁷For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37); James 5:8⁸Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)).

With this solemn fact before us, there are five words which I want to press home to the hearts of God’s dear children, who are on the eve of being caught up to be forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)). May God by the Holy Spirit clothe the following remarks with power!

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