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 We
have given considerable space of late to articles emphasizing
the individual's obligation to Christ and warning about
"party" or "church" loyalty that makes
Christ second fiddle. This continues to be a current problem and
warrants further attention.
But
there is no solace here for those who would set the church aside
as being of no importance. "Partyism" increases the
need for more accurate definition of "church" and a
better understanding of the obligations imposed by our
association with other saints in the local church. One can not
be a faithful follower of Christ, and ignore what the NT says
about Christ's church.
Christ
is "head over all things to the church, which is his body,
the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (EPH.1:22-23).
God is glorified "in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout
all ages world without end. Amen!" (EPH.3:21)
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it;" (EPH.5:25) "the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood"
(ACT.20:28). These verses treat of the church in its universal
sense — all saints, world-wide — that great
"brotherhood" which we are to love and respect
(1PE.2:17).
I
preached a sermon in Louisville, on Congregational Independence,
and a Christian Church visitor commented, "Don't go too far
with that, so that churches will have nothing to do with one
another". I acknowledged the appropriateness of
"love" and "fellowship" — and the
possibility of a "separateness" that could endanger
such —
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but told him true
"brotherhood" does not mean nor necessitate organic
ties among churches. There is even a form of
"cooperation" among brethren that does not involve
local church action (see GAL.6:6; HEB.13:1-3; ROM.12:15).
Loyalty,
first and always, to the Lord, does not negate the obligations
of membership in a local church. When brethren function
collectively (and even those who ridicule local church
"membership" seem to agree they are authorized to so
function) or "member of the team" the need to do his
part (1CO.16:1-2; 1CO.5:4-5, 14:27-33). Here, loyalty to
one-another, and to the common goal achieved in collective
action, is within the framework of loyalty to Christ, and not a
supplanting of it.
The
Corinthians purposed (willed) a year in advance, to supply a
gift for the needy saints in Jerusalem (2CO.8:10-11, 9:2-4).
Each saint was thereby obligated "as God hath prospered
him" (1CO.16:1-2). In the same way, when a church today
plans and approves a program of work for the furtherance of the
gospel etc., each member of that church accepts an obligation in
"team-work" that is wholly in keeping with loyalty to
the Lord each saint serves (We must here assume, of course, that
the "work" is in keeping with the Lord's will and
direction.). One can not be a faithful Christian and, having
opportunity, ignore fellow-Christians — another way of saying,
"the church" (HEB.10:24-25).
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