In another article in this issue of The Christian, we have discussed the subject of “passing the torch” and how it was done in the early days of the church. Some may be wondering whether it is the same today, and whether we ought to be concerned about those who might carry on after older ones are taken home to be with the Lord. Allow me to express a few personal comments.
Over 65 years ago, I remember being at a general meeting and listening to the comments in a reading meeting. One of the older brothers commented that he had been speaking to a number of those present who were using their full time in the work of the Lord, and he had found out that almost all of them were more than 65 years of age. He then raised the question as to whether there would be younger ones who would have the desire and energy to carry on in the truth, if the Lord left us here and those older ones were taken home. Even as a boy, his comment went to my heart, and I felt the impact of what he said.
Hold That Fast Which Thou Hast
Some years later, the address to the assembly of Philadelphia in Revelation 3 was being taken up at a general meeting, and a brother laid some emphasis on verse 11: “Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Again, this comment made an impression on me, and likely on others also.
Later still, a dear brother, now long since with the Lord, gave an address to us young people that (I found out years later) affected quite a few of us, although at the time I applied it only to myself. He took up the question that the Lord asked Peter in John 21: “Lovest thou Me more than these?” (vs. 15). Again, his comments went to our hearts and stirred us up, as to whether we loved the Lord enough to give up something in this life and to go out and serve Him. Not that we look to our love for the Lord as being the necessary motivating factor; rather, we trust that “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:1414For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14)). The more we live in the enjoyment of His love, the more our love will flow back to Him.
“I Know I Am Saved”
Some might question why it is important to “pass the torch” and to carry on in the truth that we have enjoyed. I remember a Christian young man whom I knew well, about my own age, who had grown up in a godly home. He voiced his feelings about all this in rather strong language. He said, “I know I am saved and that I am going to heaven. That is all I need: I am not interested in anything more.” This attitude is not new, for it is essentially what happened while the Apostle Paul was still alive. He could say in 2 Timothy 1:1515This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Timothy 1:15), “All they which are in Asia be turned away from me.” They had not turned away from Christianity, but rather from the heavenly calling that Paul had preached. Paul had been the “standard bearer” of Christianity, to point the way that should characterize a believer in this dispensation. As part of the church, the believer today has a heavenly calling and hope, yet is sent back into the world to be a witness to it. The world will gladly accept a Christian who displays Christian morality and virtues, but does not like one who separates himself from it, because of his heavenly calling.
Sadly, there are some Christians today who exemplify the attitude of that young man to whom I referred. They are content simply to have their “ticket to heaven,” but then live for this world until they are called home. Some may ask, Why is it important to walk in all the truth that has been given to us?
All the Counsel of God
I would suggest that there are at least two reasons why we should take in and enjoy “all the counsel of God.” First of all, there is the question of responsibility. At any time in this world’s history, God has had His own in this world who honored Him and who sought to please Him. God could say to Abraham, “Walk before Me, and be thou perfect” (Gen. 17:11And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (Genesis 17:1)). This does not mean that he never sinned, but rather that he was mature in his understanding of what God was doing during that dispensation and what his proper response ought to be. Abraham did not know what you and I know today, but he was faithful, and of him the Lord could say, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and that they shall keep the way of the Lord” (Gen. 18:1919For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:19)). Abraham did so and passed “a good torch” to his family. They did not always walk in the good of it, but his example of faith and obedience had far-reaching consequences in blessing.
In the same way you and I are responsible today. Almost 200 years ago the Lord raised up those who restored to us the precious truth of the assembly. Many enjoyed it, but many subsequently gave it up, as they found it a difficult path. But this brings us to our second reason for “passing the torch” and holding that torch high, so to speak. It brings us back to what we have already quoted from 2 Corinthians 5:1414For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14): “The love of Christ constraineth us.”
The Love of Christ Constrains Us
Truth is a wonderful thing, and especially that which is connected with a risen Christ in glory. The Lord Jesus could say, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:3232And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)). The precious truth of God does indeed free us from all the thoughts and purposes of man and enables us to walk with God, according to His purposes and counsels. But truth itself will not keep us; our affections must be engaged. That is why the Lord Jesus said to His disciples, as they went from the city of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives, “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love” (John 15:99As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (John 15:9)). The enjoyment of the love of Christ in our hearts will cause our own hearts to overflow with love to Him, and then anything that has to do with our blessed Savior will be of supreme importance to us.
In a spiritual setting, “passing the torch” is not only the maintenance of a body of truth, important as it is. The Ephesian assembly, as addressed by the Lord in Revelation 2, was holding the truth and doing it well. Yet the Lord had to remind them of a signal failure: “Thou hast left thy first love” (Rev. 2:44Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Revelation 2:4)). This was the beginning of decline, and eventually it did result in the removal of the candlestick there. When our first love fails, then spiritual decline and giving up of the truth follows. The torch may be carried for a while, but if the motive spring for doing so is gone, then the torch will soon be abandoned. An old brother, long since with the Lord, once reminisced about some of those under whose ministry he had been brought up. He mentioned their gift, but also said that what impressed him more than their gift was their godliness and that their godliness lent weight to their words.
In conclusion, then, let us remind ourselves that we are responsible, at whatever time we might live in the church’s history, to maintain that which has been committed to us. Likewise, our response to the love of Christ is not dependent on how much we know, but rather on our enjoyment of His love and of whatever He may have committed to us. He will have a testimony on earth until He comes — a testimony to the whole truth of God. May it be our earnest desire to be part of it.
W. J. Prost