There have been some interesting responses from readers to the added feature on "balance" introduced in the last issue ("take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine"). These indicate a renewed awareness of the importance of maintaining in our spiritual life a much-needed balance. We are glad for this reaction, and will continue to bring to the attention of our readers similar penetrating passages of Scripture. We pray they may be used of God to arouse, stimulate, convict, if need be, and recover us to a godly balance of the truth in our lives.

The concept of balance is taken for granted by us in most other areas. We have two legs; yet how tragic is the loss of balance here! The principle of it is basic in, for example, mechanical design and in architecture. Even such terms as balance of power and balance of trade are familiar, and their great importance is recognized. The significance of balance in our Christian profession and testimony cannot be overestimated.

We believe that nothing is more applicable and material to the character and testimony of those in relationship with God, than an earnest endeavor to live consistently with what we profess and, it may be, teach. In Acts 1:1, there is the phrase, "of all that Jesus began both to do and teach." Here is our divine Example. Not only is the matter of balance (in perfection), to be observed here, but the order_first the doing, then the teaching. We draw your attention to the following article, "Thyself and the Doctrine," which comments upon this theme. The author writes from a different viewpoint, however, as to "the doctrine."

In this issue we have presented on page 47, a verse ("maintaining faith and a good conscience") that stresses the importance of balance in the area similar to that in the last issue. Pertinent to this verse, the Apostle Paul avows, in his defense before Felix, that "herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16). This is absolutely indispensable in order to "war a good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18). One has said, in writing on this subject:

“Some having put away, not the faith, but a good conscience, made shipwreck of the faith. Thus, no matter what you may hold or appear to delight in, abandoning watchfulness over your ways, giving up self-judgment in the great or small matters which each day brings us, is fatal. It may be a very little sin that is allowed, but this, where it is unjudged in God’s sight, becomes the beginning of a very great evil. Having put away a good conscience, their ship no longer answers the helm, and as to faith they made shipwreck:’of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander’.”

May God sanctify both writer and reader alike by the truth. "Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).

FRAGMENT. "They said therefore to Him, Who art Thou? And Jesus said to them, Altogether that which I also say to you" (John 8:25, J.N.D. trans.). How unexpected a reply! He is in His life what He says, and both expressing perfectly the mind of God.