The Pulpit Speaks: February 24, 1962

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender on the date shown.

“And I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me!” — John 12:32

RACE RELATIONS

Throughout the nation, last Sunday was supposed to have been designated “Race Relations Day.” Somewhere in some remote remote little churches the idea was promoted. The other churches tool a strange “hands off” position. In many instances, the messages were directed at everything but race relations.

But why should one worry or become disturbed when so many of the sheep go home hungry Sunday after Sunday? They come looking for a Christian message and get everything else, so why marvel at the fact that “Race Relations” is left out of the program?

In far too many instances, we have people in the pulpits who dare not do what they know is right. They lack the moral stamina to do “Thus saith the Lord.” The message of God burning upon their hearts is often quenched by the application of cold water.

SOME LIKE HATE

Maybe wholesome race relations is not what many of us really want. Many of us thrive on confusion, hatred, selfishness and the like. The more we have, the happier we are. Our popularity and survival is directly dependent upon our ability to appeal to the rabble element of society to which we administer, while over there is somebody who is making a feeble effort to carry out God’s will.

Maybe there are those of us who do not accept good race relations as a part of God’s will. Maybe there are those of us who would rather keep all of the things that are going on now as is. We fight hard to maintain the status quo. We are against changes in any area even if they are promoted by Jesus himself. We fool ourselves into believing that everything is all right with the world as it now stands.

But a closer look at things will make each of us far more conscious of the dire need for race relations and all the other things that stand as impediments to a full realization of the world as designed by God. Today we must fortify ourselves for the better things of life. The only way that this can be realized is through a complete adherence to the full will of God.

LIFT JESUS

Years ago, while looking at a decadent society, Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me!” Not only was that practical and the solution to the problems of Jesus’ day but it is the same today. Once again we need to lift up Jesus and all that He stands for and, thereby, solve the world problems. Current world conditions are no different from those during the days of Jesus. Not only is it true that men attach themselves to things higher and nobler than themselves in the days of Jesus but the same must be done today. It is mandatory today that we appreciate that which is worthwhile.

When Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me,” the same thing is true today. Only to the extent that in our saner moments we direct all of our attention and efforts to the best this life has to offer will our world and we as individuals be in a position to make contributions to the lives of all those whom whom we come in contact.

Today one of the great tragedies of our world is brought out in the fact that there are too many unattached men. Each one of us today should have something for which we are willing to die. This and only this is our salvation. We must align ourselves to that which will make us better people and in proportion that we are better, we will be in a better position to make others better.

We live in a day of “imperatives” — we must do certain things if we are going to attain and maintain status in certain areas. There are no substitutes for these “imperatives.” Having a spiritual perspectives is one of these “imperatives.” The only way that any one of us can lay claim to being a Christian is realized through “lifting up Jesus.”

The man, woman, boy, or girl who does not lift up Christ cannot lay claim to being a real Christian. In the vast march toward somewhere or something today, each of us must take on new allegiance to those things or that thing will eventually bring salvation to all of us. This and this alone is the solution to all of our problems.