22. TREADING THE OUTSKIRTS OF HEAVEN

By God’s unspeakable love and kindness, Grandfather was called to salvation at the age of nineteen. Out of a sinful environment of idolatry and every form of wickedness, he came under the sound of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The light of God shone through, and he saw himself a sinner condemned by the law of God and in need of His mercy and forgiveness. In broken hearted contrition he confessed his sins and received Jesus as his own Saviour. Thus began a new life of faith in Christ the Lord.

In his will written by his own hand in 1926 when he was sixty-six, he testifies: “When I was in my mother’s womb, I already possessed the original sin in which I was conceived. I was brought up in a bad environment until I was nineteen years old when the Holy Spirit led me to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. By the precious blood of His cross my sins were washed and cleansed. In gratitude to the gracious Lord Jesus Christ I gave up all my desire for the world and its wealth to follow the Lord fully. ”

Praise God for His amazing grace and lovingkindness for such a sure and complete conversion. During my years living under Grandfather’s care, he often testified in these words: “I came from the village to the Gospel meeting in the city. The Word of God, the twoedged sword, cut right through me, piercing soul and spirit, exposing the sinful thoughts and intents of my heart. Instantly I begged the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. I thank God, He heard me and took me in.

“From that day I gave my heart and life to Him, to leave the world and follow Jesus. I deeply believe that I must conquer the evil in me everyday, over and over again, and trust Him for the real blessings. ”

The world and its material wealth completely lost their appeal. There and then Grandfather resolved in a most remarkable manner to leave the world once and for all, and walk with God. When he was twenty-six he became a preacher of the Gospel and a servant of God for life.

Grandfather’s pattern of life after conversion followed closely in the footsteps of the first Christian, Abraham. By faith Grandfather when he was called, obeyed, and left his hometown to follow the Lord.

By faith he embraced the Gospel of God’s everlasting kingdom, and forsook all worldly ambition, for he looked for a city — the City of God. His love for God’s City was such that his esteem of the world and its material attraction faded into nothing. In his own words, the world was nothing more than a “cold overnight potato, ” fit for the rubbish heap.

Grandfather was a man of the Book — the Word of God. That Book was his constant companion. Daily he immersed himself in reading, exploring, feeding on the Word of life. Wherever he went he gave out the Word, whether by a tract or by word of mouth.

The walls of our Meeting Hall were adorned by many Bible verses written with brush on white cloth in Grandfather’s own hand. Worshippers on Sunday and visitors at all times would be spoken to by the silent witness of the wall scrolls containing the Word of God.

As a child of six, when I first came under Grandfather’s care, until I left him at age ten, I was struck by the man’s single-minded devotion to the Lord, and to everything which pertained to the Kingdom of God — God’s Word, God’s House, God’s Day, God’s Name, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Work. Such was the totality of his conversion at age nineteen, that he followed and served the Lord without the least wavering or hesitation for the rest of his life.

Often I have wondered, thinking of Grandfather through the years long after his departure, what it was that kept him so resolute and steadfast in his walk with God. Now I know, and am fully persuaded that like Abraham, Grandfather had by faith seen the City of God afar off (Heb 11:13 ). That turned his life direction from earth to Heaven.

Lovingly, God had shown him the Heavenly City. Once seen, Grandfather was fully persuaded and confessed that he was but a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth (Heb 11:13 ).

Such godly persuasion never dies, but had enduring power which carried him through sixty-four blessed years until the final call of God came when he was eighty-three.

This desire and longing for the City of God so gripped him that his entire lifestyle and conduct were transformed. Allow me to express in words what I observed in his way of life.

“If my home is in Heaven, where my God and Maker awaits my arrival, should not each day of this life be lived as in His presence? After all, we believers all know that our God sees us afar off, and observes our every action and movement, and He is very interested, nay, intimately concerned with all that we do, even as a caring Father watches over each and every child. How then should I walk, but to bring honour and glory to His name? ”

With Holy Spirit illumination, what the believer’s response ought to be becomes crystal clear. Yes, I am a child of God, a follower of the Lamb. He died for me, saved me and purchased me, and gave me new life — His life. I am no more my own, but I belong to Him. Should I not, even now, walk as in His presence? Praise God, His love constrains me to show my gratitude and give Him my body, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him.

With joy then I walk with my Lord, as in His presence, on earth as in Heaven. Yet, not yet! I tread each day just the outskirts, awaiting His call. Before then, Lord, order my life accordingly, in Thy righteous pathways. Let me burnt and shine for Thee each day, just what Grandfather did in his day. If he had a motto for life, it would have been “Holiness unto the Lord. ”

God filled his thinking: each day Grandfather spoke only words of edifying and godly concern.

God filled his lips with prayer and praise. In moments of ecstatic longing, he would cry out in the night watches, “Lord, receive the soul of Thy unworthy servant unto Thyself. ”

God filled his eyes with holy discernment, to see only the things approved of God and to guard the eye gate from lustful sights. “O be careful little eyes what you see! Lord, keep my eyes from beholding what may become a temptation. ”

God took his hands and feet, and kept them busy with holy activities, for His own glory.

God filled his entire being — his desires, aspirations, longings — with all godliness and holiness. Grandfather was truly a man wholly given to God. Not once did a careless or hurtful word escape his lips. He cultivated no worldly friendships, visited no place of entertainment, wasted no time in unprofitable employment.

We sing oftentimes the hymn by Mary James, “All for Jesus, all for Jesus, all my being’s ransomed powers. ” But how many of us truly mean “all”? For Grandfather his life expressed it all.

I thank God for the years with this man of God. Not what he said, but how he lived left an unforgettable impact on my own thinking and way of life. Now in my eightieth year, my only desire is to be with the Lord, the God of my salvation, in the Heavenly City.

Until then, may God help me also, like Grandfather, to tread each day the earthly pathway as it were the outskirts of Heaven.