A nominal member, member-on...
Illustration
A nominal member, member-on-the-church-roll only, for one
year suffered the agonizing death of a terminal cancer. Up to
this illness, he had no interest in, or commitment to, Christ of
the Church. For several grim months, he held onto life, sometimes
just barely, sometimes more hopefully. Despite his double-vision
and terrible pain, he read every book I gave to him; he wanted
more. I visited him in his home almost every day. He wanted to
learn everything he could about the Christ during the short time
remaining to him. This faith took fire and deepened. He asked to
renew his membership, to recommit himself publicly, literally,
"for the first time." One day, after a tremendously painful
struggle, the cancer won. We could hardly recognize him. Little
remained of his body except skin and bones and cancer cells. I
have had no greater thrill than when I gathered with his family
and friends in the church sanctuary, and considered these words
from the apostle Paul, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O
Death, where is your victory ... your sting."
-- Keller
year suffered the agonizing death of a terminal cancer. Up to
this illness, he had no interest in, or commitment to, Christ of
the Church. For several grim months, he held onto life, sometimes
just barely, sometimes more hopefully. Despite his double-vision
and terrible pain, he read every book I gave to him; he wanted
more. I visited him in his home almost every day. He wanted to
learn everything he could about the Christ during the short time
remaining to him. This faith took fire and deepened. He asked to
renew his membership, to recommit himself publicly, literally,
"for the first time." One day, after a tremendously painful
struggle, the cancer won. We could hardly recognize him. Little
remained of his body except skin and bones and cancer cells. I
have had no greater thrill than when I gathered with his family
and friends in the church sanctuary, and considered these words
from the apostle Paul, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O
Death, where is your victory ... your sting."
-- Keller
