IFCPD Theme

                                                         -Joe Eldridge Parks-                                                                           

 

One day as I, The Church Piper, was arranging hymns, I found a hymn by the title, “If the Whole World Knew Jesus.”   It is a melodious slow march in 6/8 time, the words of which express hope for peace and joy, with less grief and sorrow, more humility, and a desire to serve the Lord.  Joe Eldridge Parks, born in 1927, wrote both the music and the words.  The hymn had merit as a beautiful little pipe tune and the name had appeal as it conveyed the idea of “The Great Commission” given to us by Jesus.  He said, “Go ye out into all the world and preach the Gospel, and make disciples of all men.” (Mark 15:16) 

We think about the awful things that have been happening in our world during our times because of those who do not know Him; atrocities to innocent people, and horrors from the actions of terrorists.  Our Lord Jesus asks us to love one another as He loves us, and He assured us that there is no greater love than that of a man laying down his life for his friends.  These were not merely words!  He demonstrated His friendship by giving His life for each of us.  If the whole world knew Jesus, that is, if we knew Him so well that His love ruled in our hearts, we would be continually conscious of ways to love others.  He gave us the two most important commandments, which are,“to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37 & 39)
 
Do we not wonder how anyone can cope without knowing Jesus personally?  The great hope for all, as expressed by the Scottish poet, Robbie Burns, is “For a’ that and a’ that, men will be brothers the world over, for a’ that.”  That is, “If the whole world knew Jesus,” we would certainly be “brothers in Christ,” and as members in the family of God, we would have love for one another without animosity.  To know Him is to love Him, as the poet, Lizzie De Armond, beautifully expressed in the chorus of the hymn, “If you knew Him, only knew Him, you would love my Savior too.”  One would do well to learn the lyrics:

 

When we truly know Jesus, and we are assured He was both God and man, and that as a man, He overcame death, we have absolute assurance He showed us “the way.”  The way is not only to our ultimate home in heaven, but to a more abundant life here on earth.  We have been given a glorious assurance that our souls will live forever with Jesus.  Death will have no victory over us.  No, nor will it have any sting!

Being aware of the beneficial effect He has upon our lives, we in the IFCPD can encourage one another in our faith.  We can be examples of Christian brothers and sisters, living by Christian standards in our homes, communities, and in our pipe bands.  By exemplifying Jesus, and encouraging one another, we will indeed soon be working as disciples all over the world.

We can be grateful for the Internet, this convenient method of communication, and for opportunities available to us within the music realm, to share with others the love of God.

I, the Church Piper, felt inspired to arrange the hymn, “If the Whole World Knew Jesus,” for The International Fellowship of Christians Pipers and Drummers.  This hymn, amongst others, will keep us focused on our purpose, which is to strive to help everyone in the world to become acquainted with Jesus.  This is the real objective of The International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers. 

The hymn is in “A Sojourner’s Joyful Adventure,” Volume 4 of The Church Piper and is dedicated to the IFCPD.  Anyone eager to learn the hymn can request the book from one of the many shops listed in The Church Piper’s web site or directly from the author.  


 

      1. If the whole world knew Jesus             2. If the whole world knew Jesus
         And followed His command,                    And gave Him all their praise,
         There’d be peace and joy forever,             Man no more would be exalted,
         Throughout this sin-cursed land.               But serve Him all his days.


        
       Chorus:
         There’d be less grief and sorrow;          3. If the whole world knew Jesus
         There’d be fewer throbs of pain,               What bliss would this afford,
         If the whole world knew Jesus,                 Just to think of life eternal.
         And trusted not in vain.                             Forever with the Lord.


Keith E. MacDonald