A brother recently made the statement, “We brethren and sisters of Christ should daily put our backs to the wall and shine the search-light of the Scriptures on ourselves and see how we really appear before God”.
The urgency of this is shown to us when we read the words of scripture which remind us of the judgement which will be delivered by the hand of God in the very near future. In Ezekiel Ch. 39, we read of the time when God’s anger will come up in his face, and His wrath shall be poured out on all the nations that shall seek to harm His chosen people. The vital question is—how shall we stand in such an hour?
From the Gospel of John Ch. 5 the warning is given, that at the time of resurrection the responsible ones will be called to stand before their judge. Again we ask the vital question—how shall we stand in such an hour ? So the purpose of examination is now, to see if we are blending our lives in accordance with the light of the Scriptures.
We are familiar as to how Christ compares the days prior to the fulfilment of the predicted judgment, to the days of Noah. Those days when the world gave great emphasis to pleasure, having no respect for the name of God. It seems a weakness of ours, that with familiarity of verse and chapter of the Bible, the full meaning and message meant to be delivered by the writer gets lost. Turning to that well known chapter in Hebrews, where the faithful ones are catalogued we immediately find a powerful exhortation where reference is made to Noah. It is recorded in Hebrews 11 :7 that by his faith he both saved himself and his household from the judgment that came upon the earth. It would not have been an easy or pleasant life that Noah lived during the construction of the ark. Abuse and derision must have come from all sides daily. People mocking him for his belief in such predictions that must come against the earth and the people. Whilst he laboured, the community around him would be an open witness that they were enjoying themselves, having little care for anything. At times, as the days developed into years and the years began to grow in numbers I feel that Noah’s faith would have faltered. Such weakness would appear as he scanned the heavens for a sign of the coming judgement, and the skies revealed no cloud. Conscious of his weakness, he would be caused to examine himself and realise that God is not slack concerning His promises. To lose faith and confidence in such an hour might lose his salvation. Again the household looked to him for encouragement in the w or k they had commenced, and the faith which had been born in them. For as Paul says, Noah’s actions were carried out in faith, for the saving of his household.
To us then the same message is given through the lips of the Apostle Paul when writing to the Thessalonians. (1st Thess. 5:1) “But of the times and seasons brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you”. Later on in that chapter Paul seems to imply that though they had no need to be reminded of the days that they lived in, it was essential to remind them how they should act. Emphasis is laid on the attitude of the brother or sister to the household. Verse 11 (revised version) “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Verse 12—”But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repay evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
It is to our household, to our own ecclesia and the ecclesias around us that we have become guardians, and watchmen. Why do we stress this part of our message ? Because it is possible for us to develop in time, a selfish attitude towards salvation, of achieving a place for ourselves and not others. We readily notice that the weakness of the first century ecclesia was not in proclaiming the message of the gospel, but in taking care of their own brethren and sisters. So we read that they were corrected in their error, and care and affection was distributed to all. Too much concern was given to enlarge the field of preaching, that the number of conversions could be shown. Yet what good was that, if those already called should become lost in their walk to the kingdom.
A similar warning is given to Ezekiel from God, (Ezek. 3:17,18, 20 & 21.) In those verses God reminds Ezekiel that if he fails to warn the righteous or wicked man that he sins, that man’s sins will be counted against Ezekiel.
Each one of us, whether a member of a large or small ecclesia should be acting as a watchman to warn, comfort and encourage one another. Even those in isolation can in a measure so work. The message is that no one should be excluded from receiving the loving concern and affection of you or I. The strongest of those in the faith, require it as much as the weakest. Even Paul expressed a need of comfort and encouragement from his brethren and sisters, and by such association was able to finish the good tight for his Lord and Master. Let us consider some o such incidents which will be a lesson to each one of us.
In Acts. 28, we find Paul on his way to Rome, bound in the chains of a prisoner. Verse 13 ends, “We came the next day to Puteoli : where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days : and so we went towards Rome and from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and the three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.”
Paul uses the character of Onesiphorus as an example when writing to Timothy (II Tim. 1:16-18). For he reminds us as to how Onesiphorus went to great trouble to locate Paul’s lodging place, and the hours that were spent together were moments of refreshing for Paul.
Today it has become a sickening and familiar thing to hear of many departing from the truth, having no desire to finish the ark of their salvation. There is an apathy in the household which could not have existed in the house of Noah, else they too, would never have completed their ambition.
Can we justify ourselves that it is the brother or sister’s fault that they have ceased to associate themselves around the table of the Lord. We may excuse ourselves with the thought, that that brother or sister never did try to take an interest or be active in the ecclesia. Are they the guilty ones ? Or does the finger of guilt point at us ? Is it because we have failed to do our duty as a watchman, a guardian, a preacher of righteousness. As with the first century ecclesia, so with us, we can be carried away in our eagerness to enlarge our ecclesia, to make the field of our preaching greater, that we forget the cares of our own brethren and sisters. The old saying is, “Little things can mean so much”. Yet those small things seem so hard for us to perform. A comforting word here, a few moments to speak on the wonderful hope by which we live, a letter of encouragement, a helping hand, and not to forget an ever ready ear to listen. Small things, but stepping-stones for the receiver to achieve a place in God’s glorious kingdom.
Paul directs such an exhortation to Timothy, 4:1.
(Revised version.) “Now the spirit expressly says that in the latter times, some will depart from the faith, by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
Verse 12, “Set the believers an example in speech, and conduct, in love, faith, and purity.
Verse 15. “Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
Verse 16, “Take heed to yourself and to your teaching, hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
We see the message of Christ founded in that phrase, “Take heed to yourself”, so said Christ, “Be ready for ye know not in what hour I come”.
Apart from the care and concern we have towards our own brethren and sisters in our ecclesia, we have also the care of the other ecclesias. Even as Paul says, “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh on me daily, the care of all the churches.” It can be said in truth, that what happens in your ecclesia, what is said by this or that brother or sister can either be a stumbling-block or a stimulant upon the ecclesial close to you. While you grow then towards an example or good works, remember also that your concern should be in the spiritual welfare of the other ecclesias. If the case should arise that another ecclesia is faulting, then it is your duty to warn them of it. Desiring at all times to gain salvation for them, forget not God’s ‘words to Ezekiel. Likewise, if joy should be theirs, you too should rejoice with them, praying always without ceasing on their behalf.
We often sing that familiar hymn, “Lord how long why tarriest Thou ?”, Christ is not at fault in delaying his coming. For God will send His Son only when His jewels are made up. Remember, God waited with long suffering for Noah to finish the ark of salvation. The message for today comes from the apostle Peter, who said, “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another.” Developing this attitude, each of us shall be the means of strengthening and comforting one another to stand steadfast until the end, when men’s inventions increase in power and might and their boasting grows stronger, we shall have no cause to become weak or doubt, looking forward to that great day of salvation which God has destined us for and not to wrath.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One