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The true object of the Church of Christ has been greatly
misunderstood by even the members themselves. Its design was
never to bring about a state of indolent peace and ease with any
given standard of morality. But its object was and is to induce
the members of that church to submit themselves unreservedly to
the law of God.
Peace
in the Church of Christ is not only impracticable, but even
undesirable unless it is attained by the whole church coming up
to the perfect standard of God’s law. Until this is attained,
continual, earnest effort, investigation and discussion upon the
part of the members of the church must be kept up until they all
come “in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ.”
The
unity and harmony of the faith are to be attained, but only
through “the knowledge of the Son of God.” A unity. then, of
faith itself, is desirable only so far as it may be in complete
harmony with the teachings of the Bible. The schisms and
divisions of Christendom are certainly to be deprecated as the
works of the evil one. Yet, a union of these sects in error,
would certainly be a more fatal, and more to be dreaded
calamity.
The
great object of the church then, is to assist its own members
and the outside world in learning the truth of God. the law of
Christ, and their persuading and encouraging them to obey that
law. Its true unity then can never be attained by compromising
the
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truth, or winking at and tolerating
error, but by a diligent and earnest, and continual striving to
learn the whole truth, and to teach it to others; by an
increasing effort to bring the church up to the perfect standard
of Christian truth and Christian practice.
We
should be much more fearful of tolerating error, which breeds
sin, than of tolerating investigation. We should be more anxious
to make the impression upon the world that we will use every
means in our reach, and make every effort possible, for the
discovery of truth, than to make the impression that we are in
perfect peace and undisturbed quiet. Such an impression will
command the respect of every man that values truth higher than
popularity, and will give a new, high, holy, incentive to
activity and energy in the Church of Christ.”
The
above is from the pen of David Lipscomb, printed in the
Gospel Advocate, February 20, 1866. (pp. 123-124)
The
years 1865 - 1875 are said by some historians to be
crucial years in restoration efforts. Missionary Society
problems were joined by first battles over mechanical
instruments in worship, and “modernism”. There was a fight
in progress re. schools operated by brethren (Kentucky Univ.)
and churches were dividing — liberal and conservative, “anti”
and “progressive”. Knowing this, we see the above article in
its proper setting, and are better able to see its application
in our own day.
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