Effects Upon Men and Institutions.--Jesus Christ was ever urging His
disciples to test His words and principles. He declared the difference
between true and false prophets could be known by their fruits. He
said, "Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Even so
every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
forth evil fruit ... wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them"
(Matthew 7:15-20). When Thomas expressed doubt of His resurrection,
Christ gave him ample opportunity to test its reality (John
20:24-29). Christ's challenge to the world is, "Try Me!" "Come and see
what I can do!"
What kind of men has the Christian faith made? What kind of
communities has it produced? Two pertinent questions are asked in a
recent book of sermons, What would be the effect upon this world if
everybody was a consistent Christian? What would be the effect upon
this world if everybody was a consistent infidel? "The argument is a
crushing one, for of a truth Christianity can stand such a test with a
glory that would astonish even the most ardent enthusiasts. And it is
the one test, let it be admitted with sorrow, that a reviling world is
not willing to have it judged by."
A Saving Faith which meets men at their extremity of need and gives
them a new heart. It is not only a faith that did save men when Christ
walked the earth and healed the sick, giving sight to the blind and
raising the dead, but it is a faith which saves men now. Christ is
still performing His miracle of cleansing the hearts of men of
evil. He is saying, "Come unto Me," and men are coming as of old. The
question whether He can save now is being put to the test every day
and every day it is being answered in the regeneration of
men. Wherever this gospel is preached amongst the wealthy and learned
or the poor and ignorant, it shows its splendid fruitage as it did of
old.