“Changes is our portion now”, we rightly sing on sad occasions, and the hymn reflects the fact that the world in all its aspects cannot remain stationary. This general statement includes also our fraternal organization.
It is the rapid changes in world conditions which produce its multiple tensions that now threaten the peace and security of nations. The same changes have had some effect, even if an indirect one, upon our ecclesial activities, and will have a still wider effect as time passes. Care must therefore be taken to see that the tensions as they develop are properly controlled by the disciplines of Christ and by the wide administration of our elder brethren.
The early years of the Christian church were years of tremendous change and tension, and it was doubtless for such a reason that the Apostle Paul revisited the ecclesias he had founded to confirm them in their new-found faith and, under spirit guidance, to appoint elders and bishops in every place so that troubles might be reduced and the spirit of Christ made to prevail. His epistles also were powerful instruments to the same end.
As a case in point we have the epistle to the Corinthians. These brethren were very zealous for Christ and the Apostle approved their faith with great tenderness—were they not his epistle of commendation written in their hearts for all men to read and to understand. Yet their zeal had gone astray into schisms in which they were valiant for men, but weak for Christ, and supposed that in upholding the opinions and statements of men one against the other they were being spiritual rather than carnal. They behaved as if Christ was theirs and that the church belonged to them to do as they pleased with, so that the Apostle had to remind them that they were all the members of Christ, and that their bodies belonged to him.
Again, they took legal proceedings in public courts before the alien in order to protect their private interests, probably thinking with smug satisfaction that in upholding what they felt to be right they were maintaining the righteousness of Christ. They had to be reminded therefore that the saints were to judge the world, and that it was a shame to them that they were unable to judge the simplest matters; even angels were to be subject to them, could they therefore not discern between right and wrong in the material interests of this life. This was a form of unrighteousness which would debar them from an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. If only they would judge themselves they would not be judged to their own condemnation.
The apostle’s correction was strong for Christ, and is applicable far beyond those immediate conditions, so that it reaches right down to us in this day. We are surrounded by dramatic changes, and because change brings tension it is inevitable that the ecclesias should be adversely affected by the moods and fashions of conduct of the world. Inside the ecclesias also the winds of change are blowing freshly. It must be so. For, as in the world youth is pressing forward to take the helm, so in the ecclesias the younger members, increasing rapidly in number out of proportion to the rest, are making their voice and influence felt. The changes for which they are pressing will bring difficulties which could have the power to destroy the tone of the ecclesias unless they are restrained and guided by the powerful counsels of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Changes must come, but let them be pressed with moderation, and let the disciplines of Christ as illustrated in the Corinthian epistle prevail at all times among both young and old, and let the sound administration of elders who have borne the heat and burden of the day be not lightly disregarded, and then we may hope that the tensions as they arise will be softened by the peace of Christ which passes natural understanding.
Experience shows that this ideal is not easily maintained but has to be assiduously worked for.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay