DISCIPLE

by William J. Randolph commenting on Ezekiel 5:5, he writes:      "While placed in this privileged position, Israel became enamored with the ways and the women of the pagan nations to whom she was to be a witness.  Soon Israel's position of privilege became a position of punishment.      "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations" (Ezekiel 5:8).  "Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by" (vs. 14).      In my very early years, I found myself in a similar situation.  I had a part in a special children's program.  The part assigned to me required a delayed entrance onto the stage.  When I was given my cue and a helping push, I suddenly found myself looking at a sea of adult faces all looking at me....

In a day when “progressive” is a word of commendation used to applaud a man, a method or even a local church, the idea of “going backwards” seems incongruous and wrong.    Recently, all articles in a religious magazine referred to the distinction of' believers as Conservative and Progressive.” We hope that the writer would not suggest that “conservative” and “progressive” were mutually exclusive. Yet as one read that title it was clearly implied that to be “conservative” one cannot be “progressive.” Certain words have a euphony and they sound well together, but they are totally unrelated. It is like asking which fruit one would prefer for dessert, “peaches or leeches.” Their poetry does not conceal their real nature. The implication that to be conservative was to be different than progressive is of course a false assumption.    It is a shocking thought to some that the time has come - indeed it is past time - for the assemblies of God's people to go ...