Vitality

The church has increased in size during a time when soci­ety considered having only one or two children the correct thing to do. Now it is easy to see that this philosophy has been perhaps one of the most destructive for our country’s economy. Because the mothers among us have had faith in life and in the blessing of having a home and children, they have been badly treated in hospitals and other places. There was widespread ridicule of anyone who dared to think differ­ently from society’s ideas. These mothers, who have believed in life and in the God of life, are truly among the heroes of faith in our time. The children they have raised are, in most cases, good citizens who have helped build this country. This was also true during the Second World War when many of our friends, as was the case in my own grandfather’s house, were on the front line of the Resistance movement. In genera­tions to come, they will continue to build the country with faith in our Christian cultural inheritance, and they will fight for the freedom that makes it possible for us to preach and to live the gospel.

We have a veritable army of children and young people who, if necessary, would gladly stand up and testify to their good upbringing. They have been shepherded into good, pro­ductive lives, and they are good people. In addition, they have a strong network of close friends over large parts of the world. Because of this, many of them are educated in other countries or on other continents, and they enjoy fellowship with friends where they study.

If Christianity really consisted of what is preached in most churches and assembly halls these days—namely, faith in for­giveness without coming to a new life, and faith in continuing to live like a saved sinner—then I wouldn’t be interested in it either. No, if that were the case, I would rather take advantage of the opportunities this world has to offer, and just before I die, I would pray for a streak of clear sky above me. This is half a gospel, and half a gospel is a lie. “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have re­jected the Word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have?” Jer. 8:8-9.