My dear Brother,—I take an early opportunity of replying to yours, as the contents interest me much; moreover I desire to answer to your wishes and anxiety to know and do the Lord's will as to business matters with your brother:—Whether Scripture is against your being united in common interest with a natural brother? Can you really be partners in business starting together, knowing the one to be converted to God, and the other not? How far too, you ask, does the latter end of 2 Cor. 6 bear upon it, together with the warning in 2 Tim. 3:11This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1), of some who in the last days would be found void of natural affection?
It is well when there is exercise of soul as to any step in the path of the believer; for we may be sure that the smallest step is of interest to Him to whom we belong, and without whom He would not have us act in anything. Psa. 32:88I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8) is a divine principle for guidance, though it does not exactly embrace the matter of association, neither may it rise up to the standard of the Christian, as set forth in the Gospels or Epistles.
The fact that, in natural relationship, you and your brother are united by one of the closest ties, I most fully admit. But the question is—now that you have life in Christ, are redeemed to God, and no less bought to be for Him whose precious blood was shed to that end—how far you can have common interests, and voluntarily unite yourself with one (though a brother in the flesh) who is without what grace has given you?
If God in grace has made the difference between you, can you form links where there is nothing in common, not merely as to eternity, but as to the present time, the alone given moment to glorify God? The point is, must business be done only for the bread that perisheth and simply in uprightness? or as having higher motives and objects threading through everything, such as no natural man can possibly have? For, consistently with a fallen nature and corrupt will, it must be, if at all, God second and self first. In this sense two so opposed in nature cannot possibly be partners, save by separating the interests of God and His claims from business, or by each acting dividedly in it, which would be a practical denial. Are we to live and act for Christ, as well as be controlled by truth in all matters of daily life? If so, how is it possible for an unconverted person to do this? In matters of mere right and wrong he may, but can a Christian reduce practice to this, even in buying and selling? If prayer and thanksgiving are to be connected with everything, how can two with opposed natures carry out this? How irksome to the one, whilst happy and strengthening to the other
I have begun therefore with the practical carrying out of such a union, though admitting how low Christians may be in their business habits as to these things; yet how much lower must they reduce themselves, to accept a position by forming associations that make Christian fellowship impossible! All this is independent in a sense of what Scripture directly teaches. In 1 Cor. 10 it is written, “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This is very comprehensive for daily walk and action, embracing that which the body needs: an exhortation connecting with it the glory of God, which no unconverted person can answer to, seeing that they are in their sins and do come short of the glory of God. In Eph. 4 the believer is to walk exactly opposite to those who are ignorant of the life of God. In Col. 3 the Christian, having been, looked upon as dead and risen with Christ, is as a result to seek the things above then further on, when embracing the very details; if life here, he is enjoined thus, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
There is evidently no mistake as to how far this goes, and how impossible for two to walk together in heart and purpose, if one does not know the Christ of God, or possesses not life in Him. If God therefore makes a difference and gives responsibility to such (outside the thought, much less the reach, of others) what have we to do or say, but happily obey, commending that life with its blessedness to those still strangers to it? I am sure, dear brother, it is your desire to please the Lord at all cost, I also see your exercise, so as not to exceed Scripture on the one hand (as alas! we judge many have lately done), neither to ignore our responsibilities when plainly set forth. For my own part I have not a doubt, that real union in trade with one not actually converted to God, however close the tie, would be for neither the glory of God nor the real blessing of those so united. True, Christendom presents a sad spectacle in this, whether socially, ecclesiastically, or commercially; nevertheless Scripture remains the unalterable test and unerring rule. If the former shows a sad mixture of “woolen and linen,” the latter has forbidden it, and the approaching judgment of Christendom will be the righteous indignation of God upon its assumption and disobedience, though previously it may and will be salvation so as by fire to many, with loss brought about by unholy alliance and evil associations. I admit that many may be ignorant of what they do, and not willful; yet one can but think, that the very instincts of the new nature would teach otherwise, and preserve from what Scripture clearly forbids. To be when converted in the position is another matter; for as to wife, husband, or calling, Scripture plainly advises abiding there if with God.
As to the teaching and bearing of 2 Cor. 6 on the point, I can only see it to be in full character with what I have already said; and most clear and emphatic is the practical maintenance of the distinction of the two classes mentioned. Admitting many of the circumstances in that day, to be very different from those of to-day, we cannot but believe that the principle then given by the Lord's authority continues in force at all times.
Moreover of necessity the principle must rule with God for the believer, and hence govern circumstances at all times, whatever they may be. Now the word is plain, positive, and emphatic. “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” There is nothing here as to natural relationship, but two distinct classes, with the necessary accompaniments.
As far as you know and believe, your brother belongs to the one, and you to the other. Would then a partnership in every day life and transactions be, in the eye of God, an equal or unequal yoke? Could you go to God on common ground together about everything, when you have discerned motives and objects in relation to God, though thankfully admitting your brother to be a moral and upright man? Surely the conclusion must be, that the result would be worse than yoking diverse animals together, from whence I believe the figure is taken and application given. As the Corinthians were emerging out of idolatry and its sad accompaniments, one sees a state of things different from the present form of all professedly adopting Christianity. But this alters not the standing truth: believer and unbeliever, the two being distinct, never can be brought to work together for the glory of God.
Probably some may confine this Scripture to an unequal, yoke in marriage, which of course is the strongest proof and act of disobedience, but I could not limit such a prohibition, believing it to apply on the broadest principle of an unequal yoking together. Some on the other hand may exceed Scripture, and apply it to seeing eye to eye in everything. Blessed as this is, the point remains, believer and unbeliever on that head, though ecclesiastically it may involve more.
It is important, as you say, that a Christian should not lose sight of natural affection; but ought it ever to take the place of the affection and responsibilities proper to the new creation? Both in Ephesians and in Colossians relationships are maintained, with affection and obedience (woe to those who slight or ignore them!) when exhorted to carry them out in a divine, and not a merely human, way. The word in 2. Tim. iii. “without natural affection” is a sad and solemn mark of the last days, the spirit of which may already be seen, but I judge cannot characteristically be seen in a Christian. May the Lord deliver us from the least spirit of it, whilst called to put Christ first and (if needs be in faithfulness to Him) forsake the closest natural ties to serve and follow Him.
It is sad to witness the efforts of the present day to lower Christianity on the one hand, and to elevate mere flesh on the other, and thus apparently amalgamate the two—all under the plea of service to God and doing good to man But God is and will be sovereign; and for the Christian the word is “Obedience is better than sacrifice” —to know the Lord's will and do it. Saul disobediently spared Agag, for which he was set aside; Samuel mourned over Saul, but the Lord told him He had another man, David His chosen resource. Whilst mourning the flesh and its actings, may we be in the secret of God about His Son, maintaining His honor and interests in our walk and associations, testing all by Him The day will come when the why and wherefore will be displayed; when all done to the Lord, in obedience to His word, will be owned, whilst even now it has its record on high. Meanwhile, may we be kept though in weakness, true to the name of the Lord and the associations which He has formed for us, seeking by prayer, practice, and loving invitation, to win our unsaved relatives to Him for whom we wait.
As to the point of (not going into partnership but) serving your brother, I see no difficulty, though in this you need your Lord's mind. Thus it is only a question of mutual happy arrangement, though (so to say) it is the reverse order for the elder to serve the younger. If the union would be a greater advantage, it would be all the better. The Lord can then see He has the first place, and perhaps in due time He will make it an occasion to give your brother to you, after the fashion or way He has ever owned the faith that honors Him. What joy you will then have together, with a binding power of God sweetened by the prospect of an eternal day together with Him your mutual Savior and Lord.
May it be so through the abounding grace of our God, is and will be the prayer of
Yours faithfully in the love of Christ our Lord,
G. G.