Paul says that anyone in Christ is a “new creature”. Our reformation is the evidence of our faith. Further, the Scriptures endorse the principle of progress “unto perfection” or maturity. A simple test based upon Galatians 5 v. 22 should tell us how we are growing toward the stature of the fullness of Christ.
It is so easy to be confused about real essentials for acceptability. It takes quite a bit of frank honesty with oneself to admit to just how much we are sanctifying the carnal by a cloak of outward piety. Perhaps all of us at some time or other have succumbed to making the end justify the means: sometimes we may have not even had an end in sight.
Religious history is full of spiritual perversity; of crimes of murder, lying, oppression and cruelty done in the name of God and His Son. The record before Christ is full of the actions of the “people of the Lord”. Isaiah 1 paints the horrifying picture of “praying”, “sacrificing” “temple goers” going about their religious exercises with no qualms about evil deeds. No doubt their dual lives were justified by drawing upon their knowledge of the One True God and His covenants to their Fathers, and their relationship with Him in being a called-out nation. They were “in the Truth” and forgot that telling the truth was equally important. In fact, if the latter (and of course other righteous acts) was absent, then the former had no significance whatsoever, except increasing God’s judgment and indignation.
We can draw a great deal upon the contemporaries of Jesus. One of the incidents recorded was in relation to “Corban”, as found in Matthew 15 v. 4-9. If ever there was a neat duplicity this was one. One simply off-loaded any responsibility for one’s parents by making a contribution to God. I wonder how many acts of cruel abandonment of ageing parents the Lord Jesus saw. Just think — a neat cash deal, and so much easier than all the prolonged involvement. And bringing God into it gave it that sanctifying touch! But it wasn’t done just to get out of a duty. It was a genuine zeal for God. We make a grave mistake if we imagine that the Pharisees weren’t religious people, teaching an “acceptable way unto God”. According to their interpretation, they were a “strait sect” — purists, zealous to cross land and sea to make a proselyte. To quote Jesus’ words, they made such a disciple “a twofold child of hell”. The disciple soon accepted the twin standards and probably outdid his mentors. Jesus said that the day would come when they (the rulers and ruled) would think they did God a service in killing his disciples. What a problem our Lord had in convincing the people to beware of these leaders in their religion! “They sit in Moses’ seat; do as they say, but NOT as they do”. So much for when they ran a parallel course with the Truth; but as to their misguided zeal for tradition, their warped interpretation and hypocrisy, our Lord’s dire pronouncement was, “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit”. Matt. 15 v. 14.
Jesus said they didn’t know God (John 8 v. 55). This was a strange indictment for a people who were keepers of the Law and the Prophets; but “knowing” God is as much moral as it is either mathematical or being cognisant of His name. Speaking to the King of Judah (Jeremiah 22 v. 15-17), God says, “Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father … do justice and righteousness … he judged the poor and needy … IS NOT THIS TO KNOW ME, says the Lord.” I have always felt the analogous circumstances that could pertain unto us are as outlined in Romans 2 v. 17-24. It reflects the believer in the Truth boasting in his acquisition, but being untouched by its claims … but worse. having two sets of codes, yet completely insensitive to the implications of this duality.
It has not been easy from the pages of this magazine to speak of the implications of brethren’s (or Ecclesias’) actions as against their professions. It is exceedingly difficult to convince brethren that there must be really genuine and honest re-appraisal of standards of conduct. Generalisations are a gross evil — the nebulous, all-embracing “THEY”‘ so often used when deprecating others. Would that we could always think in terms of “WE”. Yet when we have had to speak against The Logos group, so rampant has been the problem that the use of “they” has been tragically appropriate. In this widespread rending of the Ecclesial scene it is very hard for many to see or grasp the real issues. Nor can many understand where a “spirit”, an “attitude”, a “dogmatism” can lead. Worse, they see zeal and positive assertions and exclusive narrowing of the circle of acceptability as sure signs that God is being honoured. After all, it is reasoned, have not our leading brethren well-stocked Scriptural minds, and a zeal for contending earnestly for the faith? And so our warnings generally fall on deaf ears, or it is turned against us as “just lies” or “weakening the faith”. But have you ever thought, dear Brother or Sister, what is the real standard of acceptability before God and His Son? Are you sure that you are right in your attitude? Or are you unconsciously turning back the clock to Jesus’ day?
Once I had to ask myself a question, and by the grace of God the answer came; not in a blinding flash like Paul on the road to Damascus, but it was equally humbling. The question is then, “What IS my (or your) real motivation? Is it hate or love? Is your time and your Ecclesia’s bound up with the belittling of other Ecclesias, esteemed to be wishy-washy? Is it in despising individual brethren because they do not agree with your interpretation? Are you so really convinced yourself or did someone else tell you? Is it extolling your way as opposed to other methods of doing things? is it glorying in “the meat of the word” — contemptuous of those who, you say, are “know nothings”? Is it in proudly using what you understand to be the “Name” and enjoying the distinction it raises? Have you rejoiced with your Ecclesia “cutting off” other Ecclesias, and not mourned? Do you have satisfaction in separation … convinced that you are the only true Christadelphian in the midst of a falling away … do you cut yourself off from your neighbouring brother because he comes from such and such an Ecclesia?
If you, Brother or Sister, know in all honesty that you have to answer “Yes”, then you have found the beginning of the road back to humility. You will begin to see what Paul really meant by the words of 1 Cor. 13 v. 1-3, and that despite the fact that we have and believe the Statement of Faith, without LOVE we have not Christ and know him not.
Shall we lay all our zealous intolerance at the feet of the Lord and say “it was for you Lord”? He might well say “who appointed YOU judge of MY servants?” and He might point out that to serve Him is to serve even as he served … even while we were not worth serving! John 13 v. 13-14 RSV, “You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”
Amongst those to whom our Lord ministered was the betrayer, but the example of Jesus was of no avail, for he had shut his eyes and heart to love, compassion and sweet reason.
In his grim determination, whatever the motive, he failed to see in this humble man before him the real essence of the God he professed to know. What was Judas looking for? What was he seeking? Whatever vision of the Messiah of God he had, he evidently could not see it in Jesus! How tragically wrong was this man!
So much depends upon what we are looking for … so much depends upon our perspective … so much depends on seeing Jesus as the true reflection of God … and seeing in him the things that really matter.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay