Moral Power and Condition (4) Yes, the only ground of gathering is simply to the Lord’s name as members of His body. In separation from evil. In this I am as tenacious as anyone. But this, in the present state of the Church, is only known and held by a few, which in itself is a testimony to the ruin. And then what becomes of this position if those who take it are so wanting in real moral separation and condition? And not only so, but after having presented such a spectacle of sad failure to their brethren around them, such as has hindered and stumbled many, still to be ringing in their ears the words, “We are right and you are wrong.” Much better would it be to manifest a humble spirit before our brethren, such as would convince them that we have a sense of failure of the Church, and to take a humble place before the Lord, so that (instead of our saying His presence is with us and no one else) He would manifest His presence in our midst in such a way as to elicit the confession from those outside, “God is in you of a truth.” Oh! Let it not be thought that I am speaking against such a place thus occupied; I am not. But, as I have sought to show, this should not be made a sectarian position. It is determined by a centre of attraction (i.e. Christ Himself), more than the circumference of rigid rules. Hence the preaching of Christ, and the glories of His Person and work, will draw souls to it much more effectually than the preaching up of the place itself. It is maintained by an inward power, grace, and holiness, under the direction of the Word of the Lord, and not by the dogmas and customs of a party. When such power and grace are known in our midst, instead of judging others we shall each be judging himself; instead of setting our brethren at naught, we shall be found preferring one another; instead of condemning others for things in them which we do not agree (and things that may not be exactly right, yet not fundamental), we shall exercise a Christ like forbearance toward each other; instead of undervaluing other servants of Christ because they are not with us, we shall seek all the more to exhibit the grace of Christ to them, and to profit by their gifts, for such are gifts in and to the Church. The gifts outside our gatherings are gifts of Christ to the Church. This is what makes the presumption of those who speak of the few gathered ones as being exclusively the Church of God all the greater, and shows, too that we are but a remnant. And not only so, but instead of attempting to monopolize the presence of the Lord in our midst by saying that none but those gathered as we are have it, it should be enough for us, as far as we ourselves are concerned, to make sure that we have His blessed presence at all; and we should be quite willing surely enough to allow Him to be with others of His people, in His grace, wherever and in whatsoever He pleases, and delight in the grace in which He condescends to be with any of us. Surely it is not for us to prescribe the limits of His presence and working. If His being with us always depended upon our merit and obedience, we may ask, would He be with any of us at any time! Christian Unity Moral Power & Condition Page 63 & 64 J.H Burridge To be continued
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 23:55:01 +0000
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