5.12 - I AM DEBTOR

I AM DEBTOR

Brother B. C. Goodpasture spoke as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen: I have the happy privilege this afternoon of presenting a man who needs no introduction to a Nashville audience a man who is known throughout the brotherhood as a faithful minister of the gospel and as president of Freed-Hardeman College; a man whose name is a synonym for sound preaching and a tower of strength among all the churches of Christ; a man who does not hesitate in the presence of duty; a man who does not falter in the face of the foe; a man who does not shun to declare the whole counsel of God. It is my great pleasure to present here and now the speaker of the occasion, Brother N. B. Hardeman, whose subject is: “I Am Debtor." * * * * * * * My brethren and friends: I rejoice, beyond my power to express, that I have the opportunity of meeting with you all again. Twenty years ago last April, our first meeting was held in Ryman Auditorium. This, to all who were then present, will remind us of the fine audience there gathered. During the twenty years that have intervened, it is but natural that problems would come up, differences arise, and unpleasant relationships might exist. I thank the Lord this afternoon that, from every appearance, we are resolved to forget the things of the past with all the errors, all the blunders, and all the mistakes that may have been made, and that today we stand as a solid phalanx, ready to contend earnestly for that faith once for all delivered to the saints. I believe that we are of one mind as well as in one place and that we are resolved to know nothing save Christ and him crucified. I want you to know that I feel most keenly the responsibility that I have assumed in coming to you for another meeting. In the Bible, life has been presented from various points of consideration, and by means of different illustrations.

Paul, for instance, speaks of life as a building, urging us, if we have placed the foundation, to go on to perfection and finish the structure. Again, it is presented as a great racecourse, upon which we enter by complying with heaven’s rules and regulations, and there is the admonition to run with patience the race that is set before us. Then, from another angle, Paul presents it as a great warfare, in which we are to buckle on the armor of the Lord, raise aloft the banner, unsheathe the sword of the spirit, and wage an aggressive contest against spiritual wickedness in high places. But in the text that has been announced, based upon a statement in Romans 1:1-32, it just occurs to me that Paul sees before him a great ledger with double columns—on the lefthand side the debits, and over against that the credits. Hence, he said: “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." The first three words of that constitute the text, “I Am Debtor." I think, friends, that there are many people in the world whose attitude is exactly the reverse of that. They seemingly have the idea "the world owes me everything, and I am, therefore, under obligation to no man. I expect to gain my support from the labors of others and go through life receiving rather than contributing." Such is a false conception of our real mission upon the earth. I am debtor for the very food upon which I live. I recognize a debt and an obligation. I am not a producer, but quite a consumer along that line. I do not till the soil, nor cultivate the crop, nor gather the harvest; neither do I prepare the food necessary for my well-being. To all those who rise with the voice of the birds, who plant the seed in the springtime, cultivate the crop and gather the harvest, prepare it for serving—regardless of any amount of money, I am debtor. For the very clothing that I wear, the same can be said. If I had all the raw material that this world affords, I could not weave the fabric out of which my coat is made. And I know you would hate to see me come and stand in your midst with clothing of my own making. So, to those who have labored and toiled to make ready that which adorns and preserves our physical being, there is an obligation that I think we ought to recognize. The consciousness of that fact, in my judgment, is an evidence of greatness. Real greatness is always characterized by humility, by a spirit of gratitude, and genuine appreciation. I am debtor today, and feel it possibly as I never have before, for the system of government under which we have lived and hope to continue. Things are not appreciated by us as much as otherwise until we see them subjected to danger. This last week I visited Independence Had in Philadelphia. I looked upon the walls of that old building and saw the pictures of real statesmen that adorn the same. I thought of their devotion, of their unselfish interest in an effort to establish a government that would guarantee to us the blessings of life and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They announced to the world their independence, but it took six long years to make that declaration effective. A government was established, comprising only the thirteen original colonies. Westward was the trend of their going. Ultimately those principles embraced all of America, and we now rejoice to see the Star-Spangled Banner cover the land of the free and the home of the brave. Since the Revolution, other wars have likewise challenged our manner of life and our way of living, but we have come victorious from every conflict, and now we are engaged in the most dangerous one that has ever threatened to overthrow our system of government. For the preservation of our rights, of our liberties, and the opportunity of meeting in a capacity like this, undisturbed and unmolested, I for one, am profoundly grateful and recognize the debt that I owe to the government that guarantees such. And I am ready to do all I can for the advancement and continuity of it just as long as, in my judgment, the demands are not in conflict with the teaching of the Bible. A number of years ago, as you know, I had the opportunity of visiting a large part of Europe and that land forever sacred. I was in old Strasbourg, France, on the Fourth of July, 1923. I saw our flag unfurled from the top of one of those stately buildings. I passed on down to Basel, Switzerland, and to a customs officer I had but to turn the lapel of my coat, under which there had been sewed a little flag of our country. Upon observing it, he bade me welcome to the land of Switzerland. This emblem of American citizenship gave me recognition everywhere. And again I am debtor for the wonderful inventions wrought by men who labored almost day and night, while I spent the time perhaps in an unprofitable manner. They were spending long hours, hard labor, intense thought, to bring to us the product of their skill. And today we have a different world in which to live from that which environed our fathers in the long, long ago. Our very way of travel, our manner of life, the conveniences of our homes, and the pleasant relationships that we bear one to another are but the results of the labors that have gone before. I am not responsible for the easy way we can come to this building, nor for the ability we have only to turn the switch and flood it with a halo of light. I am under obligation and am a debtor to Thomas Edison for having spent the hours and the labor necessary to bring about such for my pleasure and for my joy. I shall never be able to pay the debt I owe to all surgeons and scientists whose labors have relieved the sufferings of humanity and have lengthened man’s days upon the earth by a score of years in the last quarter of a century. But, friends, when Paul said to the Romans, “I am debtor," he was not talking about the things that I have thus far discussed. These were not in his mind. Neither did he have before him the idea of paying his grocery bill the first day of the month. That was not his thought. Hear him! “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." Now, watch it: "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome." Changing the statement and making it apropos to the hour, I am debtor to all of you, and as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Nashville, and who may chance to come to our services. Well, why? Because I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I recognize that it is God’s power unto salvation to everyone that believes it. And I am fully aware of the statement and the fact that in the gospel, not in the law, is the righteousness of God revealed from faith unto faith. I want to ask you, friends, how do you think Paul came to be debtor? I answer by saying the commission of our Lord was given unto the apostles, and in that the obligation was laid upon Saul indirectly. But more specifically, the Lord imposed this obligation upon him on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Damascus, when he said to him: "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." Hence, Paul recognized that there was placed upon him, charged to his account, the responsibility of preaching the gospel of Christ. And I would this afternoon that all of us who pose as such felt as keenly the obligation as did Paul. He said: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" If all of us who stand before our audiences in the name of the Lord felt as keenly that obligation, we would not be tempted and lured from the strait and narrow path. We would not preach on many of the things which belong, not in the pulpit at all, but upon the lecture rostrum, in the schoolroom, or on the political platform. The gospel is the thing imposed upon us, and woe is unto me if I fail to proclaim it just as it is. Paul accepted his responsibility, and after the years had come and gone he had the consciousness of having paid his obligation. When he returned from his last missionary journey, he gave a report to the elders of the church at Ephesus in which he said: "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." "Wherefore, I have paid my debt; I have balanced my account." When he came to lay aside life’s affairs, he said to Timothy: "The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." In the language of our text, he could truly say: “I have assumed the obligation, I hay* acknowledged the debt, and I come now to the close of life with the assurance that I have paid my obligation. I have fulfilled heaven’s demands." "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." The third chapter of Ezekiel, although written while the Israelites were in captivity, yet contains principles which continue throughout all the dispensations and are equally important unto us this afternoon. I bid you hear: "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at shine hand."

Brethren, does that register or not? Are we moving along in perfect safety and security? Are we content as we are? God said to Ezekiel: "If thou fail to warn those round about of the wickedness of their way, they will die in their wickedness, but their blood will I require at thy hands. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, . . . he shall die . . . but thou hast delivered thy soul." Friends, that is the principle. Hence, I am debtor to the entire world round about, and the principle enunciated by Ezekiel in the long ago evidences that fact. Now, turning to the New Testament, I think you have the same obligation. "Ye are the salt of the earth." Now what does that mean? Unto you the saving power has been committed. If you fail, therefore, to save someone else, wherewithal do you expect to be saved yourself? Brethren, I have got to try to save somebody else in self-defense. My own salvation depends upon my using the opportunity and upon my carrying into effect that which I am—the salt of the earth. That is not all; this world is shrouded in darkness, and men are walking in the path of a black-out. God said to the disciples: "Ye are the light of the world." Hence, do not put that light under a bushel, but hold it high, that the world may see and have that toward which it may go for guidance, safety, and security. Now note just a thought or two. Christ said: "As long as I am in the world, I am the light thereof. Bring all your problems, all your troubles, unto me." But in anticipation of his departure, he said directly to the disciples: "Ye are the salt of the earth, . . . the light of the world." But all the apostles are now gone. Then what? I turn to Php 2:1-30 and read from Php 2:14-30 : Brethren, "do all things without murmurings, and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all." First, Christ is the light. Second, the disciples, indirectly, are the light of the world. Last, Christian people throughout the era in which we live are the light in that they are to hold forth the word of life unto dying men. All of us cannot appear upon the platform and verbally preach the gospel of Christ. Lots of men have not that ability, nor have they acquired it, and many times when they get up, their thoughts sit down. But let me say that you brethren who engage in honorable business and who support the church of the Lord are as much approved in God’s eyes as the most skillful preacher and the most interesting speaker that ever appeared in your presence. But for you, brethren, these preachers would not be here; but for the fact that, like Aaron and Hur, you stand ready to hold up their hands, the battle for truth and right could not be won. Let me say to you, therefore, brethren, that I am debtor to all classes. “I am debtor both to the! Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." I am debtor to all men. If we are not careful, we will recognize our responsibility only unto the greater characters of earth, to those who are prominent, to those who occupy important places and move in high social circles. We bow to those who are rich and recognize our obligation. Well, I think that is perfectly all right, but I would be ashamed of myself if I did not equally feel my obligation toward those we consider more unfortunate in life. The man in humble garments clad, penniless and dependent, needs the gospel of God’s Son as well as the millionaire, reveling in all the luxuries of life. And so do all men, regardless of race, color, or previous conditions of servitude. I would love to preach the gospel to the President of these United States and to all the senators and representatives. I think they need it. I want to preach the gospel unto those poverty-stricken, and to those who are counted as the lowly of this earth. I am unfit to claim to be a gospel preacher if I appeal only to what we call the prominent class. If I raise high my head and assume the air of speaking to "just a few white folks and no darkies at all," my usefulness on earth has ended. I would better come down and stay down forevermore. Paul said: “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians." That meant to the elite and to the common as well. I am debtor "both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to" pay my debt. I have always been taught that a man who will not pay his debts to the extent of his ability is a dishonest man. I was reared under such teaching as that and the passing of the years has but confirmed my conviction along that line. Well, all right, are you a member of the body of Christ? Do you propose to be a Christian today? Do you share the sentiment of Paul when he said: “I am debtor"? Are you trying to pay your debts? What are you doing along that line? There are multiplied millions of people hungering and thirsting for gospel truths. I have been impressed, as no doubt Brother Goodpasture was, on a recent visit to the eastern part of our country with the urgent request for preachers to be sent into that section of our land. During a recent meeting in Philadelphia there came representatives from almost every congregation in the East. They are begging for help. They want strong gospel preachers sent into their midst. In nearly every town there are some members ready to keep the preacher and to help establish the cause. I just stop and ask: What are we doing along lines of that kind? Are we trying to keep our accounts balanced to the very best of our ability? If not, I fear that we will be weighed in the balances at last, and, like old Belshazzar, be found wanting. In the great picture of the judgment in Matthew 25:1-46, those on the left hand had traveled the broad way and were consigned to hell—a place prepared, not for man, but for the devil and his angels. Why were they doomed? In substance the Savior said: "Because you would not pay your debts. I was hungry. What did you do about it? Nothing. Thirsty—you were content. Sick—and you visited me not. In prison—what about it? That makes no never-mind to me. And to hell with that crowd." Why, brethren? They refused to pay their debts.

Let me suggest to you the final thought. I believe that the masses of mankind have the wrong conception of what success in life really means. I know that I got the impression early in life that the successful man was the one who had accumulated much of this world’s affairs. We often wondered what some man was worth. And we measured him altogether in dollars and cents. That was the standard. We estimated his worth in the bonds, the real estate, the personal property, and the amount of money he had. We counted such a man as a real success. Friends, I reversed my convictions along that line several years ago. I verily believe that success in life ought not to be measured by its accumulation, but rather by its contribution. When I come to the close of life’s way, I wonder if it can be said: "N. B. Hardeman has contributed to the benefit of mankind." Have I served to make the world better for those that are to come after? Have I been like wings to lift my fellows up to higher heights? Or have I been like weights to drag them down to lower depths? Have I gone along through life plucking the briars and thorns and thistles and planting the sweet-scented flowers to bloom in their stead? Is the world better as a result of my having lived? Has my account been balanced? I beg you, friends, that you think on matters of that kind. The purpose of this meeting, may I state, is to try to pay our debt, fulfill our obligation, to all those who may favor us with their presence. Is there one here this afternoon not a member of the body of Christ? Are you aware of the terms of induction? Do you believe in Christ Jesus the Lord with all of your heart? Will you resolve, by God’s grace, from every sin to turn away, genuinely and truly repent thereof? Will you sanctify your lips in confessing, even at this hour, the brightest name known to mortal man? Will you resolve further to fulfill all acts of obedience and be buried into the sacred names of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, from which burial you rise to walk a new life? Will you then resolve to walk in it until at last the grave comes to claim your body, while God may claim your spirit? If there be such an one, won’t you come even now, and give to some of these brethren, or to me, your hand, evidencing such a desire? Let us stand together while we slog.