John has shared a letter his
girlfriends father wrote on March 1m 1965 just a few days after his expulsion. John said, I
suppose he could have said, "No man who is kicked out of Bible college
will ever marry my daughter" or something like that. Instead, he wrote the
following:
“Dear John,
The Spirit maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And
-- we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to His purpose.
How easily the Holy Spirit could have said 'some' things, or even 'most' things
-- but He purposely said -- 'ALL' things. And this tremendous and well-known,
but little believed truth is for 'the called' -- God's term.
It means 'effectually' called in contrast to the weak and often ignored call
that we make.
This letter is not to encourage you in any self-righteousness, that would be
wrong. But to encourage you in righteousness, that is right.
Elias is termed a righteous man, as I read the context, yet I Kings 19:4
records his abject failure -- when he ran away and wanted to die. Righteousness
then takes knowledge of our failure, because the Lord Jesus is our
righteousness and He cannot fail.
David failed God miserably, yet throughout his checkered career, he is known as
the man after God's own heart.
I have tried to imagine how you must feel -- and I can, for I too have known
the awful loneliness of separation, -- so far away. the tendency and temptation
is to bridge the gap as soon as possible -- but that would be unwise, except by
letter, etc. However, it is possible to use this time in such a way that it can
be greatly beneficial and a blessing. Obviously time is needed, somewhere in
here, for both of you. Time for preparation, and time for proof.
This proving time is really the heart of my letter. "For whom the Lord
loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth."
We must be proved, whether it is 'I will' or 'Thy will.'
I could tell of some victories God in His grace has given me. What was General
McArthur's famous words as he left Okinawa, "I'll be back." This was
his victory -- it can be yours.
Meanwhile make good use of the time. What lies ahead we do not know, none of
us, except that there is a final reckoning for the saints, that is the
important thing.
Don't be discouraged! Remember the 'All things' actually under God's skill --
'working together for good.'
Perhaps it is my Calvinistic spirit, but I must look beyond all that has
happened lately -- to the stark fact -- that God has decreed a separation just
now.
Problems, difficulties, heartaches ahead. Cheer up, we must therefore be on the
right road for "we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom."
Use the time wisely and well, and I wish you a blessed victory.
Sincerely yours & His
E. A. Phillipps”
This is a positive response.
2 comments:
I need to add that Rev. E.A. Phillipps was Dean of Men in 1958-59 (as well as other tasks such as Business Manager). So his attitude toward me in 1965 did not come from a lack of understanding the academic situation.
Thanks. Thats a good addition.
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