Powerful Voice From The Past
Ask God to give me the right words
as I boldly explain God's secret plan that the Good News is for the Gentiles, too (Ephesians 6:19, NLT).
Dear Friends,
Some of you may remember the late
Dr. Charles Malik, Ambassador to the United Nations from Lebanon
and President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1959.
Dr. Malik was a very dear friend
for approximately 25 years, until his death. With an earned doctorate from Harvard
University, and with over 50 honorary doctorates from many of the most prestigious
universities of the world, Dr. Malik was truly one of the great intellectual and spiritual giants of our century.
It was my privilege to hear him
speak to a group of world leaders in Washington, D.C. I
was deeply touched by his strong witness for the Lord Jesus when he said, "The deeper need of the world," he said, "belongs
to the sphere of the mind, heart and spirit, a spirit to be penetrated with the light and grace of Jesus Christ."
He went on to say, "I really do
not know what will remain of civilization and history if the accumulated influence of Jesus Christ, both direct and indirect,
is eradicated from literature, art, practical dealings, moral standards, and creativeness in the different activities of mind
and spirit." Then he concluded with this profound statement: "The heart of the whole matter," he said, "is faith in Jesus
Christ."
Following his address, I approached
him to say, "Many political leaders speak of God, the Bible, prayer in a general way, but I have never heard one in your position
of worldwide leadership who has spoken so powerfully and so convincingly of your faith in and your love for Jesus Christ."
His response moved me deeply. "I
am sobered by the words of our Lord," he said, "'Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is
in heaven.'"
Today, America
needs such leaders and influencers with the conviction and boldness of Dr. Malik to unashamedly speak of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who did not claim to be "a way," but "the way." We must show love to those involved with false religions, but remember that
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts
4:12, NIV).
Yours for helping to fulfill the
Great Commission each year until our Lord returns,
Bill Bright
