NEW YEAR

Part II

In Luke 16 we read that the rich man died and was buried. And when in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” And that was for ever.

Further: “Neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Still a man can be converted, as long as we are still in the time of grace, in the acceptable time and in the day of salvation. Manasseh, although he was hardened in sin, and more a beast than a human being, was converted to God (by God) as a wonder of God’s free and sovereign grace.

Saul of Tarsus, “as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, prosecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless,” (Phil. 3:5, 6). But God speaks, and it is done; He commands and it stands fast. Listen to the testimony he gives of himself: “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” And then in I Tim. 1:13, “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (I Tim. 1:15).

What encouraging examples of the sovereign grace of God for those who have no courage that they can ever be converted.

What examples we have in God’s precious Word for all those who feel that all their righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and in the light of God’s countenance they are shining sins. The gospel is a gospel for all those who are cursed by the law, are cut off by God’s righteousness, are lost under God’s justice, but saved by righteousness. There remains for us no excuse. Christ Himself said, “But those Mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before Me.”

From man’s side it is his own fault that he is lost, and it is free grace if he is saved.

May the Lord remember in this year our nation and people, the government and citizens, our President and all those that rule with him. May the Lord grant a humbling of the heart, then, and then only, shall there be a lengthening of our tranquility. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). May the Lord remember His church over the length and breadth of the earth, and bless the labors among the Jews and heathens. “In the multitude of people is the king’s honor” (Prov. 14:28). Where the pure truth is still brought, may the Lord by His Spirit work a true repentance.

May the old truth be preserved among us. The dangers become greater and the deviations are not imaginary. Paul wrote in 2 Tim. 4:2, 3: “Preach the word, be instant in season our of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”

Young people, who alas, lack the gift to distinguish and have not the least conception of the truth which is after godliness, neglect the warnings of their parents, wound the hearts of their fathers and mothers, and do show that they have not the least respect for their parents. Out of the old fatherland we hear more and more complaints that the falling away from the truth increases. In general there is no knowledge any more of the demands of God, nor of the executing vengeance of God. They preach about a God of love, but they do not realize that God will have His justice satisfied, and that only the righteousness merited and applied by Christ can save from death.

We will not enlarge upon it. The Spirit of God must quicken us, but also according to John 16:8–14 He will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, if Christ shall ever be glorified in our hearts.

Furthermore, in our days, a speculative knowledge has taken the place of the experiential knowledge. In that superficial and intellectual knowledge true humility and self-abasement is lacking, but also the true concern to win Christ, and be found in Him Who is the true “City of Refuge” for the safety of those who are guilty of death, whereby God attains His honor and the sinner receives the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Avoid all preaching under which man can remain converted, and where they send the souls into the gardens and they are “daubed with untempered morter.” Seek earnestly an uncovering, a heartsearching truth, that is built upon the firm foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.

That doctrine never has many adherents, but it is loved and embraced by those whom God has made honest and upright, and who dare not venture their salvation upon a “maybe”.

The Lord grant in His vineyard faithful watchmen on the walls of Zion, who do not speak according to the mouth, but to the heart of Jerusalem (Isa. 62:6). May He send laborers into His vineyard, endowed with grace and gifts, who remain “students” all their life, never able to do their work in their own power, but remain dependent upon their sender.

The Lord grant office bearers endowed with the fear of God, and who may have knowledge of divine matters, and may stand as pillars of the truth as it is in Christ, yea, even give support and instruction, as Aquila and Priscilla did to Apollos, who was a talented speaker, but not exercised in the way of the Lord. How profitable it was for Apollos himself when those two exercised Christians expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Studying is necessary, but the instruction and admonition of a pastor may not be despised. We can never appreciate enough the association we have with exercised Christians. Seek their company if there are any in your church, who are gifted with light, with life and with the manifold grace of God.

In some of our congregations schools (born of necessity) have been opened in the last few years. In our high school and in our elementary school we speak to the children, teaching them out of the Bible and out of our Confessions. Sometimes it touches us that the Lord is so longsuffering and good to us. But it is necessary to have godfearing principals, and teachers who know something of the truth and love it. How we should pray for them, and also for the rising generation that may still be taught, for out of them the church must be built.

We pray that the Lord may also bless the work done by the Inheritance Publishers, The Banner of Truth, The Banner of Truth Tract Mission, and also by The Macedonia Mission Society, which has translated and published so many sermons; also the work done in printing and publishing the Dogmatics and the explanations of the Catechisms.

We must with all humility thank the Lord for the support, courage and strength the Lord has given Mr. James De Meester for many years to work as administrator of the Banner of Truth. He has now reached the evening of his life. The Lord remember him in soul and body together with his family. May He grant also to Mr. Henry Langerak, the new administrator what he needs to take over the work.

We must also give a word of thanks to Mrs. Abe De Bruyn, Mrs. John Bazen, Mrs. Richard Westrate, and one of our daughters in Stafford, Canada, for translating and typing for me, and all others who often help me in all the work that lies upon my shoulders.

The Synod also requested me to undertake a part of the work of instructing our two students. May the Lord also grand Rev. den Boer continued strength in the Lord to perform the larger part of instructing the students. May the Lord grant His blessing upon all the work, and qualify both the students for their great and responsible calling in the church of God on earth, giving them what we cannot give them.

With the coming of the Rev. H. Hofman, the Lord willing, our work as Moderator shall be diminished, although we hope that for some time we may still serve 3 congregations in our Classis.

May the Lord also remember our emeritus minister with his family in the evening of his life. May He also strengthen Mrs. M. Romeyn and Mrs. A. Vergunst, as also Mrs. C. Hegeman, whose deceased husbands served for many years some of the congregations in the United States and Canada.

We would have liked to add a meditation to this article, but I must forgo for this time.

The Lord be and remain with us, and grant the light of His countenance upon us, and grant us this year the peace that passes all understanding in Christ Jesus the Lord. May the Lord enlarge our borders to the glory of His thrice holy Name. Amen.

The Editor

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