In our Editorials we have
referred much to the tragedy of spiritual conditions,
particularly to the divided state of Christians. It is a matter
which no one really concerned for God's glory can easily set
aside, or fail to have as a constant burden. Reflection upon this
whole matter leads to the prayerful desire to be able to do
something toward what the Bible calls 'healing the hurt of My
people'. This can be carried little or no further than an appeal,
but in so far as this small instrumentality can affect the Lord's
people, we venture to make such an appeal. As we see it, there
are only two grounds of hope in this direction, but if they were
taken we are certain that a wholly new and fruitful situation
would arise.
The first part of the appeal,
therefore, is that the people of God, and particularly those in
responsibility among them, shall -
Take
Heavenly Ground
The best illustration of what
this means is presented to us in considerable fulness in the New
Testament, and particularly in Paul's letters. We can narrow
these down to two - 'Corinthians' and 'Ephesians'. One is the
earthly; the other is the heavenly.
What is meant by the earthly is
clear in 1 Corinthians, especially - for our present point - in
the early part. Implying that it is wrong for supposedly
spiritual people to be or to act so, the Apostle uses the words:
"Are ye not men?" (3:4). This clearly means, as the
context shows, that spiritual and heavenly people are not allowed
to proceed as the rest of men do. The immediate connection
(although it applies to all the other things) is that of
"divisions", and circles, bearing particular names and
taking the character of natural preferences. This might be
temperamental, doctrinal, emotional, intellectual, or 'spiritual'
(?). Whatever the causes or occasions, Paul says this behaviour
is "natural" and "carnal" - it is acting as
"men". In a word, it is earthly. At best, he says, it
is childish, or 'babyish'; it does not signify any spiritual
stature. Looking at Christianity today by this standard, we
cannot fail to be painfully impressed with how little the Church
has grown up.
But that is the negative side.
When we turn to 'Ephesians', we find ourselves in the presence,
not only of the oft-repeated words, "the heavenlies",
but of the realities and characteristics of that realm. Here is
the "one body". Here is the "unity of the
Spirit". Here is heavenly wealth, walk, warfare. Here is
relatedness and inter-relatedness. The Apostle - nay, the Holy
Spirit - has no restraint in giving out of the fulness, that it
may lead again to the fulness of Christ. Here are the measureless
dimensions of eternal thoughts, counsels, purpose, and love. Here
is ascendency over disappointment, frustration, discouragement,
and earthly limitations. Here is grace transcendent and
triumphant. Yes, truly we are on heavenly ground here, while all
those things are bitterly true down below. To be "seated
together with him (Christ) in the heavenlies" is no mere
ideal, fantasy, illusion, beautiful concept, or sublime teaching;
it is real because of the literal counter-realities to which it
is set in contrast.
This is as much the work of
grace, to be apprehended by faith, as is our initial
justification.
Would that the Church -
believers, and their leaders - could first see it, in the way in
which the prayers in this letter show that it should be seen:
could then, by faith, take it: and henceforth positively and
resolutely refuse to come down on to the earthly ground of
Corinthian divisions, strife, pettiness, and nature!
But what is the way thither?
How can it be?
This leads to the second part
of our appeal: it is to -
Take the
Ground of the Cross
The Corinthians knew about the
Cross. They were "in Christ", and there is no way into
Christ but that of the Cross. Yes, but even so, the Apostle said
that in visiting them it was his considered, resolute, and
premeditated determination that he would 'know nothing among
them, save Christ, and him crucified' (2:2). There was a
knowledge of the Cross which either they did not possess, or else
they were violating. In 'Ephesians', the death and resurrection
'togetherness' with Christ is foundational to all that fulness of
heavenly position. In Corinth, the value of the Cross was in what
it meant for them, rather than what it meant in
them. There is undoubtedly a difference in these aspects, both as
to position and as to results. The fuller aspect may have a
deeper application to the natural life - but, again, both in one
are presented to us for our apprehending by faith.
The Cross not only deals with
our sins and our condemnation: it deals with all our earthliness,
our natural ground, which is so fruitful in those works which
bring dishonour to our Lord. We are especially thinking of this
spirit which produces or ferments jealousies, rivalries,
contentions, criticisms, and all that is not love.
If we would take heavenly
ground and the ground of the Cross, the Holy Spirit would be able
to cause the things which really do not matter to fade from their
importance, and to give the Lord's people a loving concern for
all who are His, just because they are His, and not 'ours' in any
earthly way.
Editor