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 I
wrote an article on this subject several years ago, but some
must have failed to read it —, otherwise, why would these
foolish notions continue to circulate? Hmmmm!!
One
fellow said Foy once saved the church from premillennialism, but
now his influence has waned, and he can’t save the church from
institutionalism He thought it was a pity we didn’t have
someone whose influence was such that he could save the church
now. I said (hours later, when I usually think of my best
replies) “Yeah, what a pity that Jesus Christ didn’t have
enough influence to save the church in both cases.”
Of
course, the truth of the matter is that Jesus DID and DOES have
that kind of influence, with HIS church. All who look to Him for
guidance are content to be citizens in His spiritual kingdom;
and have been saved from institutionalism by a close adherence
to His pattern of church government. Their salvation involved
“come ye out from among them, and be ye separate,” etc., (2
Cor. 6:17-18) but then this has ever been so. Jesus saved HIS
church in earlier times by influencing them to “obey God
rather than men” — even unto death. (Acts 5:29-f) Christ
influenced HIS followers to worship in small groups, in halls
and private homes, rather than continue in unauthorized worship
practices in large, impressive buildings, with the “party.”
How is that for influence?
I
have no desire to depreciate the great work done by preachers
and others; but no man has ever saved the Lord’s church. At
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best, a man may urge people to “cleave
unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23) so that HE may save them
individually and severally. (That is the way the Lord saves —
as each bows self-will to the Lord’s will.) When man’s
influence is such that people follow the man instead of the Lord
— even when the man’s lead coincides with the Lord’s way
— the good done is ephemeral. Here today, and gone tomorrow
— when imperfect man goes astray, “Except Jehovah build the
house, they labor in vain that build it.” (Psm. 127:1)
Middle-of-the-roaders
are trying to save “the mainstream of the movement,” and
having a hard time of it. They lack the gall and abandon to
out-promote the promoters. And, if they succeeded, they would
only have preserved a “party” whose chief characteristic is
nothingness. Why work up an ulcer to save a union of people
while the true Saviour is dividing people in order to preserve
true unity in the faith? (Matt. 10: 32-39; 1 Cor. 5:1-8; 2 Jn.
9-11)
We
are not insensitive to the need for “fellowship” among
saints — to an obligation to work together in God’s
congregational arrangement — but this too must be saved in
response to the influence of Christ upon the individual saint.
When Christ is served, and only then, is there unity that is
acceptable in His sight.
There
are many would-be Don Quixotes, charging up and down the land,
ready to save the church which really doesn’t want to be saved
— but only one Jesus Christ, who will indeed save His church
in eternity.
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