“But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22 NKJV
It was my privilege to know two young men well before they became well-known Christian leaders.
Teenager Earl Radmacher was involved with the Mid-Century Billy Graham Crusade in the summer of 1950 in his hometown, Portland, Oregon. Cliff Barrows encouraged Earl to attend Bob Jones University, and classmate Jerry Burleson invited Earl to ride with him to BJU in Greenville, South Carolina.
Jerry and I sat side-by-side in Greek class, and knowing I was with Gospel Advertising, he asked if we could design a poster for the Bob Jones movie “You Can’t Win.” Jerry and other students had agreed to purchase a copy of the movie and a projector, setting up one-night showings during the summer. Jerry offered to make posters available to other students who would be involved.
Meanwhile, although I was exposed to “Greek,” I had difficulty connecting. Jerry introduced me to Earl Radmacher, who was absorbing Greek enthusiastically. Earl was attending Bible Presbyterian Church, where Billie Barrows (wife of Cliff Barrows) was music director. Jerry suggested that he and I join Earl as many Sunday evenings as possible, and the three of us developed long-lasting friendships.
Representing our respective literary societies, Earl and I served on the Panhellenic (intra-collegiate) Council by virtue of being president or vice president of our societies.
Jerry, Earl, and I were members of the Bob Jones University 1954 graduating class. Jerry became director of Cincinnati Youth for Christ; Earl enrolled in Western Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon; and I continued with Gospel Advertising Association.
It was a privilege to be president of the Bob Jones University Evansville alumni banquet, and to be appointed as editor of the Bob Jones University alumni magazine.
Earl graduated from Western Baptist Theological Seminary, and later became president of the institution. Earl became senior editor of the Nelson Study Bible.
Commenting on Galatians 3:22, Earl wrote: “The relationship of the law and the promises of God is not competition, but need and fulfillment. The law was not designed by God to give eternal life and righteousness. Rather, the law showed humanity’s need for the promise of life through faith in Jesus Christ, having confined all people under their sin.”
Each Saturday, TTT Christian Youth Ministries follows one of ten “Faith Factors,” based on a specific scripture. March 7: “Start where you are.”
“Moreover the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”‘” Jeremiah 33:1-3 NKJV
In the Nelson Study Bible, Earl Radmacher wrote: “Jeremiah urged the people to call out to the Lord, pointing out that this time the Lord would hear and answer their cries. ‘Mighty things’ has the abstract meaning of ‘inaccessible’ or ‘unfathomable.’ God had done great things in creation; here the people were invited to observe anew the unfathomable greatness of God’s work on their behalf.”
Those same promises can be applicable to you and me, if we have been born again into God’s forever family. Every day, as near 3:33 PM as possible, either in person or by phone, my daughter Tami and I pray together Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
We claim the promise of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
We thank God for what He has done and what we anticipate He will do. As we are going “Together Toward Tomorrow” and preparing for summer outreach at county fairs and festivals, we’re praying especially that God will make connections with Bible-believing congregations, caring adults, and students willing and available to be trained in peer evangelism, ready to share God’s Word and His good news of salvation.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
The most important Person you can ever know is Jesus. Do you? Will you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ now, and invite others to know Him?