Article March 16, 1912 Issue

THE WELCOME GUEST

IRVING C. TOMLINSON, M.A.

The basis of true religion is the intercommunion of God and man, the fact that the Father imparts Himself to the Son. Patriarch and prophet have sought to make known to humanity the truth that God need be no stranger outside the door, but that infinite Love, through faith and understanding, may become a welcome guest. The religion of the Hebrews contains vivid accounts of the communion between God and man, told in such picturesque language as to make it seem the confidential intercourse between two friends. The divine message to mankind, that God is ever ready to be received as a friend and helper, is portrayed by the author of the book of Revelation, who, it will be remembered, was so close to the great Master as to be known as "the beloved disciple." He presents this constant and loving appeal of the Father to men in these words: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

This passage from Revelation contains the fundamentals of all communion between God and man. On the part of the Father it portrays His abiding presence, ever at hand to be recognized and appropriated. It also declares that He makes Himself known through His word, for He not only stands outside, but manifests Himself by knocking at the door. These luminous words show, too, how we may truly welcome the father. To receive God's help there must be the listening ear for His disclosures, and the ready hand to open the portal that He who knocks may enter in, and there abide, not only a welcome but a permanent guest.

Aside from the true teaching herein enshrined as to the immanence of God, and the revelation of Himself to men, there is revealed the other vital fact that mankind have a degree of spiritual understanding by which they may respond to infinite Love. They possess a spiritual faculty by which to demonstrate the truth of being imparted. This realistic portrayal of God as coming a guest to the door of human consciousness was illustrated in the life of the founder of the Hebrew people. Abraham, while yet in Ur of the Chaldees, heard God knocking at the door of his understanding. He longed to welcome the heavenly visitor, but the gross materialism about him seemed to forbid a close communion, so the patriarch turned from his native land and sought a new home in far-away Canaan. That God might become his guest, he himself became a stranger amid new peoples.

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