"…TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST,
AND TO DIE IS GAIN"
Our beloved friend and faithful pastor, M. H. Reynolds,
went home to be with his Lord on September 3rd. His relatively sudden decline and his
subsequent passing were unexpected and a terrible shock to all who appreciated and loved
him so. He was at his home when God called him Home to Glory, with little discomfort and
with a sweet, Christ-like spirit to the very end.
The apostle Paul declared that he had a desire "to depart, and to be with Christ;
which is far better" (Phil. 1:23)—not just a little bit better or simply the
release from the cares and pains of this life, but "far better"—infinitely
so! Without question, our dear pastor knows now, firsthand, the glorious reality of such a
longing. Yes, those of us left behind have heavy hearts and tear-filled eyes, yet we
"sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." We, too, are going to enter one
day into that same blessedness that Pastor Reynolds is now enjoying. What a grand day that
will be—forever with our blessed Redeemer and precious friends and loved ones who
have gone on before! Yes, sorrow and heaviness are now, but Heaven lies just ahead. Today
could be the day of that glad reunion! The Scriptures offer us great comfort indeed in the
following words:
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus
will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which
are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet
the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another
with these words" (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
In working alongside Pastor Reynolds for over twenty-five years, I can say without
hesitation that I have been truly blessed by his steadfastness for the truth, his love for
his Lord and his unwavering desire to keep on the firing line until the Lord called him
home. Yes, Pastor Reynolds could say along with the apostle Paul, "For to me to live
is Christ"—every moment of his time among us bore testimony to that blessed
reality. But praise God for the end of a life so lived—"…and to die is
gain"! When he stands before the Judgment Seat of Christ, our pastor will certainly
be able to give a testimony of gain— the smile of the Lord’s approval for his
works that will stand the test of fire resulting from a life lived for the glory of God (1
Cor. 3:6-14). Yes, our pastor is in a far better place now along with a far better
fellowship than ever was known on earth, for he is now with his Lord where the Word says
there is "…fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for
evermore" (Psa. 16:11).
We here at the FEA now face a difficult time of transition. The needs of the work are
greater than we had imagined, yet at the same time, the promises of our God remain
"yea and amen." He has promised to never leave nor forsake us. Questioning
God’s faithfulness in a time of great need is paramount to tempting
Christ—"Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them (Israel in the wilderness)
also tempted…" (1 Cor. 10:9). Consider the blessed truth of this text. To
"tempt Christ" is to doubt God’s faithfulness when we are faced with
opposition or a difficult trial; it is questioning His presence when in the midst of
adversity. Compare this passage in 1 Corinthians 10:9 to Exodus 17:1-3, 6, 7 to understand
the Old Testament illustration of this New Testament truth. Israel questioned God when He
brought them to Rephidim where "there was no water for the people to drink."
Yes, the need was certainly pressing and keenly felt, but it was the children of
Israel’s response to that need with which the Lord was concerned. Rather than
prayerfully approaching God in faith and patience, they chose to doubt and despair. How
did they "tempt the Lord"? By questioning God’s presence, power and
providence in bringing them to such a place of testing in the first
place—"…they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?"
Was God able? Absolutely! Israel had to learn that all of the Lord’s provision
would flow forth from the "…Rock that followed them: and that Rock was
Christ" (1 Cor. 10:4 cf. Ex. 17:6). Praise the Lord, Christ Jesus is our Rock
today—just as solid, just as bountiful, just as precious! Do we ever wonder whether
it is really worthwhile to walk in obedience to God’s Word? Is the Fundamental,
separatist’s position worth all the hassle? If that position is what God’s Word
commands, then it surely is worthwhile, and we are each guilty of tempting Christ if we
doubt His presence and purpose when we find ourselves in a Rephidim situation. Oh, dear
Christian, let us draw our solace from God’s Word and drink deeply from that
spiritual Rock of our salvation today. We at the FEA need Him so, and I dare say, you do
as well. Praise God, for He is faithful. Let us press on the course set before us. 1
Corinthians 15:58.
Pastor Reynolds cannot be replaced nor can his shoes be filled, but God has provided
the Lord’s work here with a faithful group of servants who have like conviction and
dedication to completing the ministry committed to our trust. Will you stand with us? We
have looked long and hard at our stop here at "Rephidim" and have concluded that
God is indeed with us, it is His work and not any man’s, and that all our needs will
continue to flow from the Rock. Lord, we thank Thee and praise Thy holy Name!
Dennis Costella
"Finally Home"
He lived his life for the moment he would see his Father's face--
To pass from this, a world of trial, into a perfect place.
Though our hearts still ache with sadness, painful tears we know too well,
Yet we sorrow not as those who have no hope on which to dwell.
If only we could see him! Not a tear of grief would fall;
To see him finally Home with Christ, we'd sorrow not at all.
For we cannot make these heavy hearts of sadness disappear,
Recalling one so close to us--so precious and so dear,
Yet we know that we shall see him. Sweet reunion it shall be!
In a place that's void of sickness, where these tears of grief shall flee.
Finally Home--the Saviour called him; He alone knows what is best,
Where the angels sing in gladness and His saints forever rest.
Finally Home--what blest assurance! Finally Home--such sweet repose!
Through tears, rejoice--he's finally Home, and what great joy he knows!
--Cherilyn K. Costella for her Grandfather
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