YOU and GOD

The foulest, vilest, most wretched member of the human race has hopefully been loved at some time by someone—a mother, father, sister, brother, friend, or sweetheart. Just as a baby cannot survive without milk, so a human being cannot survive long without love.

Thirteenth-century Roman Emperor Frederick II allegedly experimented with infants, isolating them from the speech of any human being. A historian recounted the experiment thusly:

“He wanted to find out what kind of speech children would have when they grew up if they spoke to no one beforehand. So, he bade foster mothers and nurses to suckle the children, to bathe and wash them, but in no way to prattle with them or speak to them, for he wanted to learn whether they would speak Hebrew, Greek, Latin or Arabic, or perhaps the language of their parents. But he labored in vain, because the children all died. They could not live without the caressing and joyful faces and loving words of their fathers and mothers.”

Just as the children of that inhumane experiment could not long survive without kind words and loving interaction of other human beings, so the church of the living God will not thrive without members who have intentionally added to their faith loving kindness. The word Peter employs here is from a Greek word that is almost identical to the English word Philadelphia, brotherly love. Sometimes it is used almost interchangeably with agapao, the Greek word for the highest kind of love, as in I Thess. 4:9 and I Pet. 1:22. In each of these two verses, both words are used, Philadelphia first (brotherly kindness) and agapao second (God-like love). The word in II Peter 1:7 is translated “brotherly kindness,” and the basis for all brotherly kindness or brotherly love is the love that originates in the heart of God and is inextricably a part of His nature, agapao love.

It is instructive to note the commands, the character, and the consequences of brotherly kindness:

(1) The commands:

⇒“Be ye kindly affectioned one toward another with brotherly love.” (Romans 12:10);
⇒“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another” (I Thess.4:9);
⇒”Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (I Pet.1:22)

Jesus said that our loving kindness toward the brethren would be like a badge whereby “shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one toward another.” (John 13:35) An unbelieving Greek wrote of Christians in about 120-200 A.D.: “It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their leader (Jesus) has put it into their heads that they are brethren.”

(2) The character:

⇒It can be costly: As John said that as Christ laid down His life for us, “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (I John 3:16).
⇒It is compassionate: When we see a brother in need, we must not shut up our bowels of compassion from him, for “how dwelleth the love of God in him” (the brother who would not be moved to help another brother in need)? (I John 3:17)
⇒It is constant, through thick or thin. “A friend loveth at all times.” (Provs. 17:17) Jonathan loved David “as he loved his own soul.” (I Sam.20:17) And so we ought to love one another in adversity, through arguments, and in life’s most anguishing moments.

(3) The consequences:

⇒Relating to the world: Jesus said all men would know we belonged to Him because of our love one to another. “It is our care for the helpless, or practice of loving kindness that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents. ‘Look!’ they say, ‘how they love one another! Look how they are prepared to die for one another!’” (Early Christian author and apologist Tertullian)
⇒Relating to the body of Christ: loving kindness will cover a multitude of sins. “Above all, have fervent charity among yourselves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (l Pet.4:8) Also, it will produce unity in the body: “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” (Provs. 15:17) Finally, it will lend itself to growth, for there is nothing more compelling and attracting than brethren dwelling together in the sweetness of unity that is the expression of loving kindness one toward another.
⇒Relating to one’s self: Brotherly kindness will give you a settled assurance that you are one of Christ’s: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.” (I John 3:14)

“Is it worthwhile that we jostle our brother, bearing his load on the rough road of life? Is it worthwhile that we jeer at each other, in blackness of heart that we war to the knife? God pity us all in our pitiful strife; God pardon us all for the triumph we feel when a fellow goes down ‘neath his load on the heather, pierced to the heart: words are keener than steel; and mightier far for woe or for weal.” (Joaquin Miller)

Is it worthwhile? Not at all. Choose brotherly kindness!

“Let brotherly love continue.” (Heb.13:1)

Indiana, a mainly conservative Midwestern state where my wife and I have lived for more than half a lifetime, has legalized just about every form of gambling that could be made legal. The most recent is “sports betting,” legalized by a bill passed by the majority of state legislators, mostly Republican. On Sept. 1, 2019, at the Indiana Grand Racing and Casino in Shelbyville, it was signed by the governor, who cast the very first legal sports wager in our state. His rationale was that modernizing Indiana’s gaming law would stimulate the state’s economic growth, creating jobs and attracting industry. This in spite of the fact that states that have expanded legal gaming have experienced more undesirable results.

The National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion says gambling is a moral issue. Consider, they say, that gambling not only causes addiction but increases bankruptcy, crime, suicide, and divorce; damages the economy; cannibalizes jobs; and corrupts politics. These conclusions are based upon credible studies in states where various forms of gambling have been legalized. (National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, www.ncalg.org)

It is demonstrably a moral issue; it is a spiritual and biblical issue. The wise word from Solomon’s pen states that “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house, but he that hateth gifts shall live.” (Provs.15:27) Paul reinforces that ancient wisdom in I Tim. 6:9,10: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

The files of Gamblers Anonymous, as reported in U.S. News and World Report, corroborates these scriptural admonitions: One man said, “Once I was hooked, any wager would do. I would give odds on how many cars would pass over a bridge in the space of ten minutes.” Another victim testified: “I stole vacation money from the family sugar jar. I spent every waking hour thinking about how to get to the track.” Still another: “When I was at the blackjack table, my wife could have been home dying of cancer, and I could have cared less.” Ronald P. said: “I degraded myself in every way possible. I embezzled from my own company. I conned my six-year-old out of his allowance.” And, Archie K. wrote: “After I woke up from an appendectomy, I sneaked out of the hospital, cashed a bogus check and headed for my bookie. I was still bleeding from the operation.”

No wonder the strong warnings in God’s Word: “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye and considereth not that poverty shall come to him.” (Provs. 28:22)

“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor; he coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.” (Provs. 21:25,26)

“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.” (Provs. 13:11)

“Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (Provs. 23:4,5)

James Dobson, in a Focus on the Family newsletter, once cited the U.S. Bureau of the Census Statistical Abstract when he said, “Did you know that Americans gamble more money each year than they spend on groceries?” Or that one in five homeless people admitted that gambling contributed to their poverty; yet 37% of them said that they continue to gamble. Or that 75% of pathological gamblers admitted that they had committed at least one felony to support their habit?

Yet 48 states have legalized some form of gambling, even as crime rates soar. In the city of Indianapolis, host to all kinds of conventions and gatherings, including the 2024 NBA All-
Star game, one or more murders are reported almost nightly; in 2023 there were a total of 216 homicides.

It is so deceitful, the lure of instant fortune. A math professor pointed out that the chances of winning the California lotto jackpot are about one in 18 million. If you have to drive 10 miles to buy this ticket, you are three times more likely to be killed in an automobile accident on the way to win the jackpot. Or, he continued, if you stood all the losers of this lottery in a line, it would be 6,800 miles long, more than the distance from Manhattan to Tokyo. Or, if you bought 50 tickets per week, you ought to win once every 6,923 years. So, you should be due to win any day now—if you started about 5,000 B.C.

No believer should be engaged in any form of gambling activity; no state will better itself economically, socially, or morally by legalizing gambling. Shame on the Indiana legislative body that has endorsed this moral blight in our Hoosier state.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Provs. 14:34) 

Perhaps you have spent time in the presence of a believer, after which you have said to yourself, “That is the godliest person I believe I have ever been around.” Maybe a mentor, a pastor, a shut-in, a missionary, a mother or father, or someone you met through reading about in a book. Can you remember someone who has left you with the feeling that they possess a godliness that you would like to emulate in your own walk with Christ?

Peter lists godliness as the fifth quality that we ought to add to the building block of faith. (2 Peter 1:6) These are sometimes called the fruits of faith. In Galatians, Paul lists nine “fruit of the Spirit” that are manifest in lives of believers who are yielded to the Holy Spirit and “walking in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:16,22,23) In that passage, Paul establishes that one who is not walking in the Spirit as a believer is walking in the flesh and is carnal. In 2 Peter 1, Peter concludes that the believer who has not added to his faith these building blocks is barren, blind, and forgetful. (2 Peter 1:8,9) It is imperative, therefore, that we are diligent in adding to our faith each of these Christian distinctives.

Let us consider, then, the quality of godliness: what godliness is not, what it is, where it comes from, and how it manifests itself in a believer’s life.

1. What godliness is not

a. It is not prosperity: “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself.” (I Tim. 6:5) Pharisees in Christ’s time advocated that those who were prosperous, like Abraham and other Old Testament patriarchs, were godly as evidenced in how God had blessed them materially. Job’s friends were operating under this delusion. (Job 15:20,23,29)

b. It is not outward show: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Tim.3:5) Praying, giving, fasting and other visible acts can at times mimic true worship, so that these acts in and of themselves are not necessarily evidences of godliness. (Matt.6:2; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 18:10 ff.)

c. It is not activity done under the guise of religion. “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things.” (I Tim. 4:7,8)

So, the gain, the garish, and the goings of those who mask their motives under the label of religion are not to be confused with what God calls godliness.

2. What true godliness is

a. Internally, it is a holy disposition of the soul toward God, worship.
b. Externally, it is an expression of the internal disposition; worship translated and transferred into daily action. David’s soul thirsted and panted after the living God, (Ps. 42:1,2) waited upon God, (Ps.62:1) and then exclaimed: “I will praise the Lord with my heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” (Ps.111:1)

3. Where does godliness come from?

a. It comes as a gift to those who have received eternal life: “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” (2 Pet.1:3) It is not manifest in the life of a carnal Christian. (Romans 8:5)

b. It comes from knowing God: “Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness.” (I Tim.3:16) The mystery of godliness, His manifestation in flesh, justification in the Spirit, being “seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory,” can be known only by the Spirit of God’s opening the understanding of the believer’s mind and heart unto these precious truths concerning our Savior’s life, death, and resurrection. An intimate knowledge of God will manifest itself in one’s life as true godliness. It is sound doctrine accompanied by sound living: “If any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud.” (I Tim. 6:3,4a)

4. How Is godliness manifest in a believer’s life?

a. It shows itself in one’s life in such a way that we “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Tim. 2:2)
b. It causes us to engage in holy pursuits: “Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (I Tim. 4:7)
c. It manifests itself in our embracing a proper perspective of life, i.e. that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (I Tim. 6:6)

We have a mandate for godliness, (I Tim.4:7); a model of godliness in Jesus Christ, “who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good profession” (I Tim.6:11:13); and a motive for godliness: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” (2 Pet. 3:11)

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world.” (Titus 2:12)

Most of us are aware that on what is called “Ash Wednesday,” some of our friends may show up at work with “ashes” on their foreheads, sometimes appearing in the form of a cross. We probably realize that they have been to a service in their church, where their priest dipped his thumb into a vessel of some sort containing ashes, then swiped their forehead with that thumb—making a cross that they wore the rest of the day. Those of us who attend evangelical churches do not practice this custom and probably are not too familiar with it. When we hear of the approach of “Ash Wednesday,” we might well think of “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Ash Wednesday when, at notoriously famous places like New Orleans, there are what appear to be “orgies” of self-indulgence as people supposedly prepare to give up fatty foods and other “luxuries” for the 40 days of Lent—to identify with Jesus, who became poor so that we might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)

The word for Lent comes from an old English word “lencten,” which means spring season. Lent is usually observed at that time of the year when the days begin to lengthen, about the 7^th Wednesday before Easter, and it lasts until Good Friday. This year, it began February 14 and will end March 28.

The original idea was to set aside a period of a time of personal reflection concerning the events that led up to the crucifixion of Christ. “By observing 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days; a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter; a time of prayer and penance.” (Wikipedia)

During the time known as Lent, observers give up the enjoyment of something they cherish. It may be sweets, TV, meat, coffee, or some other valued food or habit. They typically “fast” on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meaning they only eat one meal on those days.  The sacrifice they make by giving up something that they like very much normally lasts for the duration of the Lenten season.

The “faithful” will begin this season by attending a service where they confess their sins and receive “absolution” from the same by their priest. This is known as the Sacrament of Penance, whereby one is released from the guilt and pain brought on by the commission of sins. They may be required to do certain indulgences, not in order to receive forgiveness but to restore wrongs done to persons who were hurt by their sins.

So, as noted, evangelical churches for the most part do not engage in any Lenten activities. The somber reflection on what Jesus suffered in providing our salvation on Calvary ought to be a daily occurrence of His followers. We do so by reading the wonderful words of His life and death in Scripture; by singing with His Body, the Church, great Hymns of the faith which tell the story of Jesus; by meditation and personal devotion in and through His Word; and by giving our ears and hearts to messages week after week that set forth our Savior in all of His perfections as the “Lamb of God” which taketh away the sins of the world.

All the trappings associated with Lent have been gathered together over the centuries by traditions, and they are not only confusing but unscriptural; in fact, they are anti-scriptural. Nothing in the Bible warrants our confession of sins to anyone but our High Priest, Jesus Christ, alone. Nothing in God’s Word indicates that a “cross” of ashes on our foreheads is in any way a spiritual exercise with biblical precedent; there is nothing Biblical about doing penance, or receiving from a man “absolution” from our sins, or doing “indulgences” as a means of making right any wrongs we have committed.

The above paragraph is an honest attempt to evaluate what our friends who embrace and practice Lenten traditions have been erroneously taught as truth concerning a right approach to the commemoration and celebration of Easter. “Fat Tuesday” is commonly recognized as a day to indulge the “flesh” in an ungodly manner. And giving up certain foods, or “luxuries,” for 40 days to identify with Christ’s fasting for 40 days and nights in the wilderness has nothing to do with Easter. In no way could giving up meat (or anything) for a day or two, or even for 40 days, identify us with what Christ suffered either in the wilderness or on the cross at Calvary.

Because Lent is a fairly common practice today, and because those of us who do not practice the keeping of Lent often do not understand the whys and wherefores of its traditions, I have chosen to write this post. Again, for those of you who do keep Lent who may read this, I have not attempted to offend you in any way. I hope I have fairly represented what you believe to be the reasons for your keeping of this season, and I trust I have challenged you to search the scriptures to compare what you believe about Lent—and how you keep it—with what God’s Word actually says about it. I am surely open to hearing your viewpoint and welcome your response and dialog.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16,17)

Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience. (II Pet. 1:5,6)

What is more needed in our daily walk with Christ than patience? (Ellen will be glad when she sees that I have come to grips again with patience in this passage; more than anyone, she knows I need a good dose of it!)

In this age of the “instant,” we want things pronto: instant cereal, instant information, instant potatoes, and even instant cash!

But, in spiritual matters, things do not usually come instantly! Certainly, salvation comes instantly upon one’s confession of faith in Christ and repentance toward God, but after that comes a process of spiritual growth and nurturing. Peter urges us in I Peter 1:2 to “desire the sincere milk of the Word,” as a newborn infant, that we may grow thereby; and his last written word to his readers was “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Pet. 3:18)

No one knew better than the Apostle Peter that patience did not come overnight. He was the one who drew his sword in the garden and cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant’s son. He was the one who jumped out of the boat naked to run toward his Lord on the sea; He was the one who swore when asked the third time if he were not a follower of Jesus. Peter knew that patience was needful; and so do we. “In patience, possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19); “Be patient to all men.” (I Th. 5:14) “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebs. 10:36) “Let us run with patience the race…before us.” (Hebs. 12:2) “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.” (Rom. 12:12)

1. We will need patience in prayer. “And shall not God avenge His own elect who cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them?” (Luke 18:7) George Muller, operator of an orphanage in England, once said that he prayed 18 years for something, but he never prayed for anything that God did not answer.

My wife recently listened as a long-time friend of ours shared with her that a son-in-law had recently accepted Christ as his Savior. She had been praying for his salvation for 36 years! God answers prayer. It may be soon, it may be late, but He has promised to hear and answer our prayers.

As I finished typing the previous paragraph, a text notice appeared on my phone. It read, in part: “We have a living God who hears and answers prayers.” This from a person who underwent surgery last week and is recovering without complications. Yes, He does!

2. We will need patience for progress. “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” (Rom. 2:7) “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts.” (James 5:7-8) Thomas Edison tried 18,000 times and failed until success finally came on try 18,001! Hudson Taylor, missionary statesman and founder of the China Inland Mission, said there were three absolute requirements for a missionary: (1) Patience, (2) Patience, and (3) Patience.
3. We will need patience in tribulations: “The testing of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:3) “Tribulation worketh patience.” (Romans 5:3) “Blessed is the man that endureth temptations, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life.” (James 1:12)

“Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11)

We will not be tested as Job was; but we will be tested, and through every trial we can trust God that He is “growing” us into a patient, productive, fruit-bearing branch in Him who is the vine.

Back when ice-cream sundaes at the old soda fountain were much cheaper, a lad asked the waitress how much a sundae would cost. “50 cents,” she replied, a bit impatiently. The boy reached deeply into his pockets, pulling out a number of coins and carefully counting them, then asked, “How much is a bowl of plain ice-cream?” The waitress, noticing that there were other customers waiting, angrily said, “35 cents.” The lad again carefully counted his coins to the last penny. “I’ll have the plain ice-cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice-cream and walked away. When the lad finished his ice-cream, he paid the cashier and left. As the waitress came back to pick up the empty bowl, she had to swallow a bit hard when she noticed, carefully placed beside the folded napkin, two nickels and five pennies—her tip!

Yes, let us add to our faith patience!

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4)

Paul mentions in writing to the church at Corinth “the ordinances” that he had delivered to the church. (I Cor. 11:2) The context that follows his praise for the church in keeping the ordinances clearly indicates that one of them is what he calls “the Lord’s supper.” (I Cor. 11: 20) It is sometimes called “the Last supper,” or more often “Communion” or “the Lord’s Table.” The other “ordinance” that Christ commanded is what He instructed His disciples to do after they had made “disciples,” and that was “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28:19,20). So, in most evangelical churches, those two commands of Christ are regularly kept—baptism and the Lord’s supper—as the “ordinances.”

That the Lord’s supper was commanded can be seen in the Upper Room as Christ celebrated the Passover with His disciples on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane and then Calvary. “This do,” He said, as He broke the bread and then passed the cup. Paul would instruct the Corinthian church with “as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup”; and he would also quote Christ’s Last supper words to the disciples, “this do in remembrance of me,” and “this do ye…in remembrance of me.” (I Cor. 11:24,25). So, clearly, the keeping of this ordinance is not an option, but rather a command originally uttered to His apostles, who would become the foundation of the Church He would build, and then reiterated by the Apostle Paul in instructing local churches. It is a mandate to local New Testament assemblies in all places and for all ages.

But what, then, is the meaning of it? It should be noted that in the Upper Room, Jesus said that the cup that He was passing was the “new testament in my blood which is shed for you.” (Luke 22) This “new testament” (or covenant) contrasts with the old covenant, which was by the blood of bulls and goats. The writer of Hebrews calls this “new covenant” a better covenant, unlike the old covenant which was “faulty,” (Hebs. 8:6ff.) administered by priests daily as a “shadow,” or figure, of the new covenant administered by Christ, our High Priest, “once for all” when He entered the holy place offering “one sacrifice for sins forever”—after which “He sat down at the right hand of God.” (Hebs. 10:10ff.). The bread and the cup, as served by Christ to His disciples at the Last supper, were symbolic of his body and blood, which would be the “once for all sacrifice,” sealing the establishment of a new and better covenant with better promises. The elements of the bread and cup were no more literal than was the door when Jesus said, “I am the door,” or the vine when He said, “I am the vine.” (John 10:7; 15:5).

What are some misunderstandings of the Last supper? Catholic theology and practice approach the “Eucharist” as a sacerdotal sacrament in which the participants—when eating the wafer (bread) and drinking the cup—are literally receiving the physical body and blood of Jesus. This is called “consubstantiation,” and there is no biblical basis for such a doctrine. Reformed groups, primarily Lutherans, hold to what is called “transubstantiation,” which states that the elements of the table, the bread and juice, do not literally become Christ’s body and blood, but that there is some mystical happening that in some way imparts grace to the participant. There is no biblical basis for this doctrine either. In receiving the elements of the table, no physical or non-physical change takes place to the elements or within the participants whereby grace is imparted. To teach that is adding, unjustifiably, to the Word of God through a faulty, false interpretation of the texts.

So, the Communion service, or Lord’s table, as Paul sets forth in I Cor. 11, is a somber, meaningful worship service in which each person is admonished to examine his or her own heart, remembering that Christ offered his body and blood on Calvary for the remission of our sins. To allow sin to govern our lives or dwell in our hearts—knowing that Christ shed His precious blood to provide forgiveness, cleansing, and victory over sin—is a serious matter. Each believer, remembering Calvary at Communion, and examining their heart and confessing any known sin, must approach the table in humility, repentance, thankfulness, and transparency, giving glory to God for the promises of the New Covenant sealed by the blood of Jesus on an old rugged cross.

In June of 1989, it was my privilege to visit the Soviet Union with Evangelist Ed Nelson and Natasha Vins, daughter of former imprisoned Russian Baptist pastor, Georgi Vins. At that time, the Soviet Union had not fragmented, and Ukraine was still in what was known as Russia. We visited believers and worshipped in churches in Moscow, Kiev, Kharkov, Leningrad, and other cities. On Sunday, June 4, we met with a church in Kiev where 150 believers were present. The service began at 11 a.m. and concluded with the Lord’s table at 3:30 p.m. I mentioned in my notes that afternoon, concerning the “fruit of the vine,” which every person drank as the common cup was passed from person to person, that it “burned all the way down.” That evening we met in a forest clearing on the outskirts of town with another group of believers. Fallen tree limbs served as benches (pews) while Pastor Nelson preached a message on “The Ascension of Christ.” We stood and joined hands to close the service by singing “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” Many Russian believers in those services, and in all the meetings we participated in on that trip, either had been in prison for their faith in Christ or had loved ones or pastors who had been. Communion on Sunday morning, June 4, 1989, in Kiev was as precious as communion this side of heaven could be.

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” (I Cor.11:26)