(Matthew 21:25)
We do not propose to
discuss the subject raised by the Lord in connection with
this interrogation; that is, "the baptism of
John". Nor do we concern ourselves here with the
dilemma which He created for those interrogated. It is
this alternative with which we are concerned - "From
heaven, or of men?" It is something which arises
definitely on more than this occasion in the New
Testament. On one occasion the Lord rendered a sound
rebuke to Peter, saying: "Thou art a stumbling-block
unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the
things of men" (Matthew 16:23). The wise and astute
Gamaliel warned the Council that "If this counsel or
this work be of men, it will be overthrown: but if it is
of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply
ye be found even to be fighting against God" (Acts
5:38,39).
In handling the
complicated, confused, and carnal situation at Corinth,
the Apostle Paul attributed the divisions to this very
thing: "...for whereas there are among you jealousy
and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after THE
MANNER OF MEN?" (1 Cor. 3:3). It is quite clear
from these passages alone that what is of men is
forbidden in the things of God, and this is of very wide
and varied application.
The two things are not
complementary, they are inimical. They are two sources
and natures set over against each other. They belong to
two worlds. The springs are totally different.
1. They represent two
systems of thought and mentality. It is not only in
specific instances when a mistake is made, a wrong
judgment is given, a questionable decision or course is
followed. It is the very constitution, basic and
fundamental, which governs those concerned. The natural -
just what we are by nature - is set over against the
spiritual, that is, what God is, and what we are
basically by being born of the Spirit.
2. This represents two
governments. Heaven's standard of values is quite
different from that of this world. This world governs
entirely horizontally. It is just flat, earthly. Christ's
government in His life was wholly vertical; always
upward. He judged "not after the seeing of his
eyes", neither reproved "after the hearing of
his ears". Too close a touch with this earth
involves in its contradictions, and confusions. Never was
He in confusion. "Of heaven" was the watchword
of His life. "Of man" is too often the realm
and nature of our judgments.
3. The divide between
the two is the basic effect of the Cross. The Cross cuts
clean between the natural and the spiritual. We have only
to mark this fundamental difference in the disciples
before and after the devastating experience of the Cross
and the Heaven-opening experience of the Resurrection and
Pentecost.
It is because we men,
in what we are naturally - not necessarily viciously, or
of evil intent, but just plain nature - have insinuated
ourselves with our judgments, ideas, standing,
conceptions, strengths, etc., into the things of Heaven,
that there is so much confusion and frustration in
Christianity. In Paris there is a pair of scientific
balances so delicately poised and finely balanced that
even the warmth of a human body near the glass case in
which they are kept sets them oscillating. We get too
near to the sensitive things of the Spirit. With our heat
we often disturb the spiritual balance.
Our great lesson is to
learn how to stand back in the flesh from the things of
the Spirit.
First published in "A Witness and A
Testimony" magazine, Jul-Aug 1964, Vol 42-4