Iv is remarkable how often one hears this question, put by those who see in the word of God, that to act according to His mind there must be separation from existing ecclesiastical systems. To do so apparently denies access to the greater number of the children of God, and it seems, a t first sight, plausible to decide that to get truth to the majority, you must be where they are.
Especially do such thoughts present themselves to those who have held prominent positions in such systems, and who have, up to the light they have had, been faithful. God has probably used much of their service, for He will act in grace, in spite of man's failure; but willfully to remain connected with that which is not according to the word, in order to benefit others, is saying that man has power in himself, and leaves God out of the question.
" But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." "I (Paul) have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planted anything, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase" (2 Cor. 4:77But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7); 1 Cor. 3:6,76I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6‑7)). And Jeremiah, who prophesied when Israel's tribes were captives and scattered, gives us the following: In xv. 16, the word of Jehovah, concerning His people and their relationship with Him (according to the unconditional covenant made with Abraham) rejoice' the heart of the prophet, but although in spirit he is very different from the people, yet acknowledging the just indignation of God against Israel, he identifies himself with the nation as deserving such, but stands outside, testifying to its condition. (See vers. 17, 18).
Verses 19 to 21 give instruction and encouragement to one occupying this remnant position. Everything is before Jehovah, and apprehending His mind, there is knowledge of what is precious and what is vile; separating the precious, owning what is of God, one is as God's mouth. The isolated position is, however, insisted upon: " Let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them."
This is peculiarly applicable at the present time. The purposes and mind of God concerning the Church are seen in His word. Its blessings and relationships rejoice the heart. In the manifest ruin of all corporate expression of what the Church is, the faithful child of God, while identifying himself with the ruin, and being humbled about it before God, weeping over it, leaves everything which practically denies that the Church is the body of Christ, and acts on 2 Cor. 6:1717Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:17), " Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord."
The most positive testimony against anything wrong, is to be separate from it. Identification advocates it. While in this separated position, those who occupy it do not ignore believers mixed up with the ruin of the Church, as to its practical expression of God's mind, nor can they own such as being other than His children and members of the body of Christ (which latter they virtually deny by their connection with divisions), but recognizing what is of God, they separate the precious, rejecting the vile, according to spiritual intelligence, and are as God's mouth. However as to their position, it is outside, on God's ground, expressing, though not manifesting, the oneness of the body of Christ; the Church not returning to them, but receiving with joy all who will come out to the Lord.
Let us look a little at the power of service. The fact that God's word speaks clearly as to what the Church is, and as to the path of one who desires to express this by individual testimony, should be sufficient; for surely to do the will of God should be paramount with all His own but when we become acquainted with the source of power, such a question as at the head of this paper, answered by the intention of staying where it is not the will of God we should be, for the purpose of bringing our influence to bear upon others, where they are, and expecting to be used by God, would be as much as saying that He sanctioned what we identify ourselves with. He could not identify Himself with that which is contrary to the word. God acts in grace as we have said, but He uses whomsoever He will, and we can only count upon Him using an empty vessel. One who believed that he had any power, and that his influence with out God's power could effect anything (for this expedient character of reasoning is equivalent to this) would not be such.
The comparing in Scripture of the Church of God, which is His (Christ's) body (Eph. 1:2323Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)), to the human body (see 1 Cor. 12:12,13,2712For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13)
27Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1 Corinthians 12:27)), proves the wonderful and blessed unity which exists between Christ and believers, the Holy Spirit dwelling in each member, linking them to the Head in heaven and to each other. This is the Spirit's action (ver. 13), and can never be altered (how thankful this should make us; but the manifestation of such a unity was left with man, and Eph. 4:3,43Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:3‑4) distinctly tells us that we should use all diligence to keep this unity, by acting according to the truth under all circumstances. It is this we are told to endeavor to keep, this unity of the Spirit; we are not told to keep the unity of the body. It is kept by God.
The Church is heavenly in its origin and characteristics; "Blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:3,43Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:3‑4)). " For our conversation (commonwealth) is in heaven " (Phil. 3:2020For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20)). " They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:1616They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16)), and " that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:77That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)). These truths, and many others bearing upon this subject, lead up to the question under consideration.
It is, however, implied that the mind of God as to the Church is seen in the word, its oneness and relationship to Christ as head, its origin, present standing and its destiny, heavenly, not earthly, and that its pathway here should have been one that should have reflected the glory and perfection of Christ risen, as the moon reflects the light of the sun, and should have been one of separation from the world. It is implied also that owing to the failure of the Church as a corporate manifestation, the obedient child of God, in subjection to His word, should stand aloof from everything ecclesiastically evil; alone, if necessary, except that the Lord would be with him, expressing by his individual testimony what God's thoughts concerning the Church are.
Such Scriptures as 2 Tim. 2:19-2119Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:19‑21) have been presented to the soul, and that the path to take should be one of separation, appears evident.
But it is just here that the enemy suggests, " But will not my influence be less? " It is a wile, and the more dangerous because there is an appearance of devotedness about it. Yet if the questioner were to examine himself honestly in the presence of God, it is most probable that he would find that the question arose from a lingering desire to stay where he is.
Granted that there are many associations hard to leave, yet the anticipation of such a step is more painful than the step itself, for the Lord does not give grace, strength and comfort for those thoughts which hinder action, but for and after the step itself. The wisdom from above is first pure then peaceable (James 3:1717But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)). " He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me," and " He that taketh not his cross and followeth after Me is not worthy of Me (Matt. 10:37,3837He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:37‑38)).
First, such a question is expediency. Secondly, it is not complete subjection to the Lordship of Christ. Thirdly, it proceeds from either ignorance of the personal presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the assembly of God here upon the earth, or from not attaching the importance which this blessed, yet ignored truth, not only deserves but demands.
As to the first, we might take the action of Moses as an illustration. Humanly speaking it would appear that to stay at the court of Pharaoh and exert his influence for the benefit of the Israelites from that powerful stand-point, would have been wisest; but it was not the question with Moses, and Heb. 11 records his step as one of faith; reasoning had no place. So with all who serve the Lord. They should not reason, but act simply according to the mind and word of God.
As to the second, the servants of men are not supposed to question their masters' commands, but to go and to do as they are told. How much more the servants of the Lord!
As to the third, it seems to have been forgotten that the Spirit of God, who is personally dwelling here upon the earth in the house of God, is the immediate source of power. He is the agent, so to speak, by whom everything is carried into effect, but nothing less than God, and that 1 Cor. 12:1111But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (1 Corinthians 12:11) clearly proves; the same words referring to God in ver. 7, refer to the Spirit of God in ver. 11. He also " divides (distributes) to every man severally as He will," for " to one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge," etc. (See verses 8-10.)
The result in blessing, of the action of the gift, is clearly to be attributed only to God (see 1 Cor. 6, 7); and even supposing that any one willfully, but quieting or endeavoring to do so, the conscience with this question of influence, not in a place of separation from existing ecclesiastical evil, should speak a truth that was the means of blessing to some child of God, or to a lost soul, it would certainly not receive the Master's " well done," and would only be the result of God's sovereign grace. Such grace has used a Scripture mockingly quoted, for a man's conversion, but such an instrument would not receive any one's approval, much less the Lord's.
It may be added that God uses not only those gifts that are of a special character, such as are named in Eph. 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11), but the general service of the members of the body, for the edifying of itself in love (ver. 16). All must, however, be done in the power of the Spirit, or it is useless, to the Lord, and according to His will. 1 Peter 4:1111If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11) is additional proof of the absolute necessity of leaving man and his influence or ability out of the question. " If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God." God speaking through the vessel, therefore God is the source. The Lord also in John 15 says, " Without Me ye can do nothing; " and in John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13), He tells us that, " When He the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth, for He shall not speak of Himself (or from Himself, for He in several instances speaks about Himself); but whatsoever He shall hear that shall He speak." Also John 14:2626But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26), " But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, shall reach you all things." What grace! The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, interesting themselves in such as we are (but how precious to God we are in Christ), and that the Holy Spirit is here in this world, acting in and by believers, for the glory of Christ and the blessing of souls. Two passages in Acts (and there are many others) also show us how everything is done by the Spirit of God, as the immediate source of power and energy of action. " And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting." (21:12); " So they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed " (13:4). It is unnecessary to multiply passages, those quoted are sufficient.
It is plain that the gifts, of whatever character they are (for all believers have something to do, all members of the human body having their separate functions), come from the ascended Christ; they are distributed by the Holy Spirit, who is the energy and power in action and result, God being the source, but the Spirit is God; and the privilege of being the instrument used is man's. Surely it is sad as well as foolish to allow such reasoning as that our influence would be less by leaving a wrong place because the majority are there, to prevent us taking a right place according to God. God says separation from evil, not mingling with it.
There are many instances of those occupying the position of testimony to God's word and will in the Old Testament; Enoch before the flood, Daniel and Elijah after, and in addition to Jeremiah, already referred to, we see in Isa. 1, where Israel is the subject of God's dealings, that He, in view of their apostasy, says, " Cease to do evil, learn to do well." (Read verses 10-20.) The evil here is not the mere depravity of human nature, but religious evil. There is also much teaching in the New Testament as to remnant testimony; and where Christendom, as a manifestation of what the Church is, is a ruin, there is a path for the faithful child of God distinctly marked out in the word. But as the silver trumpets' testimony to all the camp of Israel of God's will as to their movements, etc., were blown only by the priests, so now the testimony of God can only be known and proclaimed by those who are in communion with Him in the sanctuary. (See Num. 10)
2 Tim. 2, already referred to, points out this path; and Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13) clearly teaches that we should be outside the camp, bearing His reproach. If the professing Church is a camp (and it surely is, for an earthly religion characterizes it rather than a heavenly worship), the place of the believer is outside. Moses pitched the tabernacle of the congregation outside the camp, and all who sought the Lord went out to it (Ex. 33:77And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. (Exodus 33:7)). May all who are in the camp answer as Levi did, when Moses, standing at the gate of the camp cried, " Who is on the Lord's side? " (Ex. 32:2626Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. (Exodus 32:26)). It is not, of course, supposed that the Lord's people in the camp, or systems of man, would carelessly remain within if they saw their place outside, and it is because dear to Christ, that those who have the truth entreat them to come out and be separate. The place of power in testimony, however, is outside, testifying by a separate position as well as by word of mouth. May God grant that nothing may hinder any who are exercised, from acting simply according to the word alone, for " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psa. 119:105105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)); remembering that "to obey is better than sacrifice, to hearken than the fat of rams," and " that to him that hath shall be given, but to him that hath not (or does not act upon the light he has) shall be taken away even that which he hath." G. B.