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 A
brother was explaining the distinctive character of the church
of which he was a member. He said, "We support an Orphan
Home." Of course they did. They couldn't stop that
$15 per month contribution if they wanted to; for it was a
status symbol. Lower that flag, and "prominent
brethren" would rebel, institutional pressures would be
applied, and someone might even call them "Anti." They
would lose their place in their party.
The
same thing could be said of churches that march under the flag
of "no class," "no located preacher," or
even "no support of institutions."
We
are not here concerned with arguing the merits of any of these
"positions." Further, we understand the necessity of
sticking with honest convictions; and we know that those with
the same or similar convictions have rapport or are drawn into
association with those of like faith. But we are concerned with
the sectarian spirit that puts "party" before honest
convictions, "flag" before God's word.
Being
right about a position does not
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avoid a sectarian spirit or status. I suspect
there are some who would "throw a fit" if a piano was
used in the worship, but who couldn't explain why to save
their lives. "No instrument has become their
"flag" — inherited from an earlier generation, and
followed without genuine regard for God's teaching on the
subject.
Or
maybe some one knows all about his particular "flag,"
Right or wrong he can make all the arguments, citing pet
scriptures for the symbol of his "soundness." But his
ears are closed to the opposition, no matter how many scriptures
used. This is not honest, objective following of God's word. It
is sectarian flag following. Such a person may have meager
knowledge of any save his "pet" scriptures.
The
Lord's church does not need sectarian "flags" to
survive. His people "sanctify in their hearts Christ as
Lord, and have a reason for the hope that is in them" (1
Pet. 3:15). "Soundness" is found in
"wholeness," not in emphasis upon some one part. The
Lord's people can say "hello" without waving a party
flag.
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