The Duty of a Philadelphian
There can be no real work for Christ if one be not in the
path with Him, and the effort to work for Him without being in the path with
Him betrays itself in the character and intention of the work.
If I am
not in the path with Christ, I must be in the path of man which, be it ever so
good, is after all only a human path.
It is not of the divine
character of the path of "the Son of man who is in heaven", and who in His work
has always declared the Father.
There is a carnal character about the
work instead of a divine character. The mere work may be right in itself, but
it cannot be for Christ, if one is not with Christ.
People insist on
the goodness of the work; that may be undeniable. But the question remains, is
it carried on in the path with Christ, or in the path with man?
If the
latter, man can bear me company in it. If the former, man, as man, can find no
place in it; and the exclusiveness of Christ marks one, and this of itself is
obnoxious to the natural mind. I believe it impossible to be a Philadelphian
individually, and to submit to an ecclesiastical position which denies all that
should characterize a Philadelphian (see Revelation 3).
The danger is
of being in a position avowedly Philadelphian, and yet unexercised and untaught
in soul in the moral status of one.
But it would be glaring
inconsistency to have learned and accepted the status of one and then consent
to an ecclesiastical position which would deny it.
On the contrary,
when I am one, when I purge myself from the corruption of the great house, I
seek those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart [2 Timothy 2: 19-22]. It is
said to be assumption to take the place of a Philadelphian; all I can say is,
that if we are not Philadelphians the sooner we learn our lesson the better.
If we are the church of God, that is the highest position, and it is
greatly to our disgrace if we are not of the faithful remnant.
It is
only an exceptionable character who adopts an alias. If I am honest and true I
abide by the family name, and if it be a high one, I only labour the more not
to tarnish it, but to act worthily of it, especially if the other members of my
family have compromised it. Like Jacob at Peniel I must go to God's side, if I
would have my name of Israel (a prince with God) come out in its true strength
and value.
It is God who has made me great, and as I am near Him, I am
sustained in keeping with His greatness.
If I turn to my own side I am
no match for the flesh and its supports, and I have to compromise my name in
order to suit my company.
J. B. S.