War Cry - July, 2013 Page 13

The War Cry | JULY 2013

he well�known hymn quoted at left

was written by Howard Arnold Walter, a
Harvard�educated American who minis-
tered not only in his native land but also in
Japan and India. Although it was written

more than a century ago, it contains a timeless message
for those who have dedicated their lives to the service of
Jesus Christ. It sets out four characteristics that mark
the life and character of true Christians.

I would be true. To be true means being genuine, as

opposed to being false or counterfeit. It means conform-
ing to a standard, in the way a musician must stay on
pitch, or the way a bricklayer must conform to a plumb
line so that the wall he is constructing will be straight.

There are many reasons for being true--true to one's

self and to God.

I should be true because it is expected of me as a

Christian. I should be true because truth in my life
refl ects the character of God. I should be true because I
feel better about myself when I am genuine and loyal and
straight than when I am false and disloyal and crooked.

The Prophet Amos reminds us that God sets a plumb

line among His people, a standard against which we are
measured.

Howard Walter said, "I would be true, for there are

those who trust me." That's not the only reason, nor
even the most important reason, for living a life that's
true. But it is a valid reason.

I would be true

because, as a Salvationist, I belong

to an organization to which the community�at�large
entrusts fi nancial resources large and small. Because
Joan Kroc trusted The Salvation Army, she bequeathed
to us more than a billion dollars to be used for the
construction of community centers across the country.

It's because people trust individual Salvationists that

the manager of a hotel in Costa Rica would give me $500 in

cash to deliver to the Army's Blind School in Jamaica.

We're not only trusted with money, we're

trusted with people. Many years ago a Chicago

judge gave a young man the choice of going to

prison or to a Salvation Army Adult Rehabilita-

tion Center. He chose the latter, and as a result

he found new life in Christ, became a Salvation

Army offi cer and spent a lifetime

leading others to salvation.

I would be pure.

In addition

to expressing a desire to be

true, Howard Walter

wrote, "I would be

pure, for there are

those who care." Again, there are many more reasons, and
undoubtedly better reasons, to be pure in heart and mind and
word and action than the fact that somebody else cares.

We should be pure because God commands it: "Be ye holy,

for I am holy." We serve as role models for our children and
our peers and our fellow Christians. Just because others
follow our example, we should be pure. We should live lives
that are pleasing to God just because it's the right thing to do.

But the fact that others care is a compelling reason

for purity of life. I have a loving wife and three Christian
children plus two daughters�in�law and a son�in law,
to say nothing of grandchildren and great�grandchil-
dren. How could I possibly betray them by living a secret
life of impurity? And there are scores of neighbors and
friends and fellow Christians who would be extremely
embarrassed and hurt and spiritually wounded if I were
to be exposed as living a life of deceit.

I would be strong.

The third desire expressed by

Howard Walter is, "I would be strong, for there is much
to suffer." Every Christian, and perhaps more especially
every Salvationist is called upon to suffer. Certainly our
uniforms are not the targets for eggs and rotten fruit, as
was the case in the early days of the Army. But there are
sufferings which come to us when family and friends fail
to understand our motives, when they believe, unfairly, that
we have put self�interest above the interests of the Kingdom.

In such cases we must be strong--strong in the faith

and in the grace and knowledge of Him who suffered for us,
remembering that the servant is not greater than his Lord.

I would be brave.

Finally, "I would be brave, for

there is much to dare." The 21st century is no day in
which timid, passive, safe discipleship is satisfactory.
There is much to dare for the Kingdom that calls for
dedication and bravery, for innovation and risk�taking.

Every Christian has a responsibility to bravely face

the foe. We are the people of God. We are the salt in a
world of wickedness and spiritual, as well as moral,
decay and rebellion. We dare not waver in our commit-
ment to God nor to the people who look to us as an
example of Christian living.

We need to be forward looking, but we need to be

fi rmly anchored to the Rock, Christ Jesus. We need to
accommodate change, but we need also to avoid any
diminution of devotion, dedication or desire to serve
Christ supremely and bravely.

True. Pure. Strong. Brave.

Those are the standards

for today.

Commissioner Robert E. Thomson lives in retirement in
Clearwater, Florida.

Photo iStockphoto

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