Soon Pastor Carmichael began his message. “This is our fifth week on the study of ‘The Overcoming Christian Life.’ To recount our previous studies, we began by asking the question, ‘Why do some believers overcome sin in their lives while other believers are defeated?’
“Today, our ongoing study looks at the Lordship of Christ—for all victory over sin hinges upon the depth and extent of our surrender to Christ’s Lordship over our lives. The Lordship of Christ can be defined by two questions:
“The first question is, do we accept the premise that God the Father has placed his resurrected Son, Jesus, over all things—all things being inclusive of us? Ephesians 1:20-22 tells us that God, the Father of glory, has raised Jesus from the dead, and has:
“Set him at his own right hand
in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power,
and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named,
not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things
to the church which is his body.
“God the Father has put all things under the feet of his Son Jesus and has given Jesus to the church to be the head over all things concerning the church. The word ‘head’ signifies a body’s source of leadership or governance. If you are a Christian, God has joined you to the church, the body of Christ; therefore, Jesus, as the head of the church, is your source of leadership and governance.
“It is, today, an unpopular sentiment to proclaim that God requires obedience. Nonetheless, Jesus told his disciples in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments, and in John 15:14, Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Moreover, in 2 Corinthians 10, the Apostle Paul declares that we are to be actively, Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
“When we surrender to the Lordship of Christ, we acknowledge that Jesus is Lord over all things, Lord over the church, and Lord over us. Jesus is not loosely or vaguely ‘the’ Lord and Master; no, he is, explicitly and expressly, our Lord and Master. We are to commit ourselves to obey him and follow his leadership.”
Pastor Carmichael paused to let his words sink in. Around Sarah, many congregants were nodding and scribbling furious notes; others were thoughtful. Sarah, too, pondered Carmichael’s words.
I do not think I had realized before—at least not as precisely—that God has placed Jesus over me, and that Jesus is to be my Lord and Master as well as my Savior.
Carmichael gentled his voice and continued. “The second question that helps us define the Lordship of Christ is, do we accept the premise that God has given us his unchanging, infallible word to speak truth into every area of our lives? The second question is not unrelated to the first, for Scripture tells us that Jesus, God’s Son, is the word of God. The opening verse of the Gospel of John reads:
“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
“The following two verses tell us that it was Jesus, the living, uttered Word, the very logos of God, who spoke the universe into existence:
“The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him;
and without him was not anything
made that was made.
“Farther along in the same chapter, verse 14, to be exact, we are told that the Word is Jesus, God made flesh, sent to live among us.
“And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.
“How essential, then, is God’s word to our Christian walk? Let us first consider the weight Jesus himself gave to the written word.
“Jesus is recorded in the Gospels as quoting written Scripture seventy-eight times. His use of Scripture to teach and correct testifies to the eternal credibility of the written word. He furthermore declared in Matthew 5:17 and 18:
“Think not that I am come to destroy
the law, or the prophets:
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you,
Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise
pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
“Most important of all, when Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, the tempter came to Jesus three times. Each time Jesus answered him, he prefaced his response with three words: It is written.
“It is written, Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
“Listen carefully! By the phrase, It is written, Jesus proclaims that we are to live by God’s written word. Furthermore, ‘word’ within this quote, ‘man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,’ is, again, the logos of God.”
His voice rising in passionate appeal, Pastor Carmichael shouted, “So, I ask you, the people who name the name of Jesus, you who have confessed your faith in Christ: Is Jesus the Lord of your life? And if Jesus is the Lord of your life, does his word have authority over you?
“If his word does not have authority over you, has the preaching of Scripture today convicted you? Has it illuminated what you have withheld from Jesus? Do you wish this morning to acquiesce fully to his Lordship? I implore you, I beg you—surrender this day! Come! Come and relinquish all to Jesus!”
A low murmur flowed over the congregation and grew into a deep roar. Chairs scraped, and feet shuffled as individuals and couples—then fives, tens, and twenties—poured from their rows and rushed for the altar, weeping and calling upon the name of Jesus.
Sarah slid her leg to the floor and used the chair in the row in front of her to pull herself up. She stared in holy awe at the Spirit of God moving across the warehouse floor. Her own heart yearned to follow them to the altar, but she knew she risked reinjuring her knee should she join the pressing throng.
So, she watched.
Minutes passed before Pastor Carmichael spoke again, saying, “At this altar and across this building, let us pray to commit ourselves fully to Jesus. All across this building, let us pray together:
“O Jesus! I submit myself to your Lordship, your leadership, your mastery over my life. I declare that you, whom God the Father has placed over all things, he has also placed over me. I declare that you are the living Word of God, and that every word God has spoken is unchanging and infallible. I commit myself to live by your word, and I allow your word permission to speak truth into every corner of my heart and mind.”
Yes, Lord Jesus, Sarah prayed. Every corner of my heart and mind. I surrender everything to you.
She meant what she prayed; she longed to fully yield herself to the Lord . . . so why did that clear, sweet voice she knew well whisper, Sarah, my daughter . . . why do you regard sin in your heart?
Sarah sat down hard. “W-what do you mean, Lord?”
My word is clear: Forgive.
She frowned.
What? Forgive? Forgive who?
Even as she pondered those words, she avoided looking too closely into the shadowy recesses of her heart.
THE SUCCEEDING WEEK was a trial for Sarah. She was bored and far too inactive for her taste. Stuck downstairs in Palmer House’s great room with her leg supported on an ottoman or walking about on stiff crutches, she grew irritable. Additionally, since the Lord had spoken such a cryptic word to her on Sunday, nothing within her seemed entirely “right” or at peace.
In an odd twist, her thoughts returned again and again to the Saturday night party at the Stafford-Polk estate, not yet two weeks past. She recalled the vibrant scene, the music, excitement, wild dancing, and unrestrained passions pulsing all around her; she revisited her conversation with Lola.
An
d she felt a tiny, unlooked-for itch to see it all again, to taste—merely taste—the forbidden fruits that had been dangling before her eyes.
Lord, she prayed with fervor, please help me. I do not understand why I am drawn to these evil doings. Cleanse me of these desires, my God!
At least Lola was not likely to visit her at Palmer House any time soon. Not after the snide note on which she had departed at the end of her last visit.
Then again, this is Lola, Sarah laughed within herself. I doubt butter would melt in that woman’s mouth.
Lola did not visit; she did, however, have a tin of creamy peppermints delivered to Sarah. Sarah shared them equally with everyone; even Mr. Wheatley was delighted.
Sarah sighed and leaned back in her chair. I wonder what Lola is doing today?
FOR THE THIRD TIME that Friday morning, Blythe and Pansy helped Sarah stand with her crutches and take her required walk about the great room, dining room, and foyer. When Sarah returned to her chair, she stared at it with disgust.
“I must have a change. I cannot abide sitting in the same place another hour.”
“Sit on the couch, then, Sarah,” Pansy suggested.
Sarah plopped into a corner of the couch and lifted her injured leg onto the ottoman Blythe supplied.
“Does this feel better, Sarah?” Blythe asked.
“Yes, thank you. A welcome improvement. Come sit with me, dear?”
Blythe curled herself up next to Sarah. Pansy sat across from them.
“Sarah?” Blythe asked
“Mmmhmm?”
“Tell us about Lola?”
Inwardly, Sarah cringed. “What do you wish to know?”
“She is a very different sort of girl, I think.”
“I think you may be right.”
“She must be a good friend. She brings you lovely flowers and sends you candy.”
Pansy’s narrowed eyes regarded first Blythe, then Sarah. “Much like a gentleman caller might.”
Sarah frowned. “What are you suggesting?”
“Well . . .”
“For shame, Pansy.”
“I am sorry, Sarah. I thought—”
Sarah shook her head in warning, and Pansy stopped. She blinked back a shimmer of wetness at Sarah’s chastisement.
Blythe did not seem to notice. “Is Lola a Christian, Sarah?”
Sarah visualized Lola belting out a sultry tune from the piano while piercing her with that alluring yet enigmatic gaze.
“Noooo, I suppose that she is not.”
“Then, you will tell her, will you not, Sarah? About Jesus and how he wants to find her? So she will not stay lost. I should not like Lola to remain lost as I was. You will tell her, Sarah, will you not? Tell her like you told me?”
Sarah did not answer, and Pansy, hurt by Sarah’s open rebuke, sniffled and stared daggers at her.
DR. CROFT RETURNED on Saturday and had Sarah walk about the great room without her crutches.
“How is the discomfort, Miss Ellinger?”
“Bearable.”
“Please sit and allow me to check the swelling.” He gently palpated her knee and nodded. “Not bad. Coming along nicely.”
“May I return to work?”
“If you—with proper precautions—can walk about the house without your crutches the next few days and are able to do so without much pain or increased swelling, I shall give my conditional permission for you to return to work, say, next Wednesday.”
Blythe clapped her hands and grinned. “Bravo!”
“Yes, bravo, little one,” Croft smiled back. “You have taken excellent care of Miss Ellinger.”
“Oh, but it was not all me,” Blythe said. “Sarah’s friend Lola also helped—as did Miss Rose, Olive, Pansy, Marit—oh, everyone here, I should think!”
“It seems that Miss Ellinger is well loved by her friends.” Croft murmured.
“Oh, yes. Everyone loves our Sarah,” Blythe gushed.
Croft packed his bag. As he walked away, he tossed over his shoulder, “I suppose some individuals might count themselves fortunate not to be her friend.”
A wide-eyed Blythe asked, “Why, what do you suppose Dr. Croft could mean by that, Sarah?”
“I really cannot say, dear one.” But Sarah glared after him, seething inside.
AT LAST, IT WAS THE ensuing Wednesday, the last Wednesday of October. Sarah’s heart sang when she unlocked the shop door. The moment she set foot inside, she felt liberated. Free.
“I shall never take my mobility for granted again, Lord!”
At noon, the bell on the door jingled. Sarah was in the office, adding the previous day’s receipts to the ledger. Corrine was with a young couple going over china patterns.
“Good afternoon,” Corrine called to their new customer. “I shall be with you directly.”
“Thank you, but I am looking for Miss Ellinger.”
Sarah recognized Lola’s voice instantly, and her heart stuttered in response. She wiped her hands and went to greet her.
“Hello! I was not expecting to see you today.”
Lola grinned and held up a brown paper sack. “A little bird told me you were returning to work today. When do you take your lunch, Sarah? It is too cool out-of-doors for a picnic, but perhaps we could share behind the counter? I stopped at Baleks’ for kebabs.”
“Baleks’? Kebabs?”
“A Turkish café. The kebabs are seasoned chunks of lamb, onion, and eggplant on skewers, slow roasted over an open fire.”
“Oh!” Sarah had never tasted kebabs, but the description made her mouth water. She found Corinne watching her. “I shall take my lunch now, Corrine.”
She motioned to Lola. “Come into the office with me.”
Sarah put the ledger into a drawer, cleared off the desk, and pulled up a second chair. “How is this?”
“Delightful. Quite cozy.”
Sarah sampled a kebab and sighed. “These are so good. Mmmm.”
When they had polished off the kebabs, Lola asked, “Shall I come again tomorrow?”
“I usually eat lunch with Corrine, and I would hate to make a habit of her eating alone.” Sarah hesitated. “Corrine’s shift ends at four each day, but I do not close the shop until five. This time of year, we do not have many customers near dusk.”
Lola leaned near Sarah’s ear. “I shall come tomorrow after four then. When we shall be alone.”
Sarah shivered. “All right. I shall see you then.”
After Lola left, Corrine was quieter than usual. Toward the time she left the shop for the day, she approached Sarah.
“Sarah? May I . . . may I say something to you? As a friend?”
Inside, Sarah bristled. Outside, what could she do but reply, “Certainly, Corrine,” but she was on her guard.
“This new friend of yours, Lola? I-I am concerned.”
“About?”
“I suppose I am concerned for her influence over you and . . .”
Sarah had never snapped at Corrine. She did now.
“And?”
“She is not a Christian, is she? And . . .” Corrine blushed. “We knew girls like her . . . in Corinth.”
“I am not one of those girls, Corrine, as you well know.” Sarah’s every syllable dared Corrine to contradict her.
Corrine nodded. “No, you are not. Thank you, Sarah. Good night.”
“Good night.”
AS SHE HAD PROMISED, Lola arrived the following afternoon after Corrine had gone home for the day. Lola spent the last hour the store was open observing while Sarah waited on the occasional customer or chatting with Sarah as she readied the shop for closing.
She came Friday and Saturday, too, and Sarah began to anticipate her visits. They lingered in the office after Sarah flipped the sign from “Welcome” to “Closed” and locked the front door.
Lola regaled Sarah with humorous tales of her life as a musician. She read poetry aloud to them. She confided in Sarah, detailing her childhood and the father who had first b
eaten and abused her mother and then abandoned them.
“My mother died not many years later, and her sister took me in. My aunt and her husband already had six children—what was one more? It was not much of a loving home, but at least they fed and clothed me. The best part was that my uncle owned a bar and a piano. I learned to play by ear in that bar and earned my keep playing for customers until I ran away when I was sixteen.”
Both of us lost our mothers; we have that in common, Sarah thought, but she did not reciprocate Lola’s confidences; she did not share her secrets with Lola.
In the back office of Michaels’ Fine Furnishings, hidden from public view, Sarah allowed Lola to touch her—touches that lingered and became more intimate, more demanding, a slow seduction that thrilled Sarah and to which she responded—even as she warned herself of the dangerous path she was treading.
Chapter 13
The first Sunday in November arrived, and Sarah dressed and prepared for church with diffidence, even reluctance. She was deeply preoccupied, giving rise to conjecture among the other girls as to why Sarah was holding herself aloof. Blythe, in particular, took hard Sarah’s distance, for her indifferent behavior made the girl question whether she had done something to offend her champion.
That morning, following worship, it was Minister Liáng who addressed the congregation. The depth of maturity in Calvary Temple’s congregation could easily be attributed to the fact that the church had two pastors, both steeped in Scripture, and whose teaching complemented each other’s so well.
“We are in our sixth week on the study of ‘The Overcoming Christian Life.’ To pick up the threads of our previous studies, we began by asking the question, ‘Why do some believers overcome sin in their lives while other believers are defeated?’ Last week, Pastor Carmichael taught on the Lordship of Christ. He made the bold statement that all victory over sin hinges upon the depth and extent of our surrender to Christ’s Lordship over our lives. To that statement, I say, yes and amen!
Sarah Redeemed Page 16