To Our Readers
Beloved of the Lord,
We do not make a practice of writing a personal letter with each issue of the
Witness and Testimony; the reason being that it is our desire that the
personal element should be kept out as much as possible, and that there should
be the very least suggestion of our being anything private or detached. If the
Lord has given us a ministry we desire to fulfil it in fellowship with all His
children, and not in separateness of spirit. If separateness does exist it will
be our constant effort to see that it is not because we separate ourselves from
other of the Lord's children, but purely because of their reaction to the
message which is given us to deliver. In other words, we shall not take the
initiative in separation in spirit or allow ourselves to be so separated.
Our ministry in the Lord is available to all who desire it. Isolation will be
what others do, not because we limit ourselves to anything in the nature of a
constituency. We do not conceive of it as being our business to destroy what
exists for God anywhere. We are not out, as some seem to think, to destroy or
break up the "churches" and "organised Christianity." We never do say to anyone
that they should leave their church. Such matters are between the individual and
the Lord, and - as we have ever sought to emphasise - it must be by revelation
of the Holy Spirit. We realise with intense sorrow of heart that all is not well
with that which ostensibly represents the Lord here, and that there is a state
of things widely prevailing which does not truly accord with the revealed desire
of God.
"We live in a time of more than usual dearth spiritually - the state of
things may well remind us of Ezekiel's valley of dry bones - we have not merely
to cope with evils which have characterised bygone ages, but also with the
matured corruption of a time wherein the varied evils of the Gentile world have
become connected with, and covered by the cloak of Christian profession; and
when we turn to the state of those whose knowledge of truth and high profession
might naturally encourage the expectation of more healthy and vigorous Christian
action, we find, alas! in many - yes, in the majority of cases - that the
knowledge is but cold and uninfluential theory, and the profession but
superficial." Christianity has become so largely a matter of doctrine and creed.
The test of Christian life is very much a matter of subscribing thereto. Christian
experience has become largely limited to a matter of being saved, without the
great Eternal and universal relative factors and issues. Christian service is
resolved far too much into a matter of enthusiasm in a great enterprise apart
from an adequate apprehension of what the Lord is really after and the
indispensable energy and equipment of the Holy Ghost. The Christian "church" is
very largely reduced to earthly institutions, societies, denominations,
buildings, activities and orders, and the spiritual revelation and apprehension
of "the One Body" and "One Spirit" is for by far the most part lacking.
Christian teaching has very largely become - at best - a matter of giving
addresses and preaching sermons with a presentation of "the letter of the Word,"
a giving forth of truth as truth, but lacking in "revelation in the knowledge of
Him" (Eph. 1:17); that true inwardness of meaning which reaches the heart and
meets the deepest spiritual need of the hungry.
The result of all this is that the impact of that which stands for God upon
the world, and particularly upon "the world rulers of this darkness" is almost
nil, or a minus quantity.
Missionary leaders who are in a position to speak with authority are almost
of one mind and voice in saying that the only hope of an adequate movement
amongst the heathen lies in the direction of a new spiritual movement amongst
God's people in the home countries.
As we get nearer the close of this age the contact with and impact of the
forces of Satan is going to be such that only those who know the full testimony
of Jesus and stand experimentally in it will be able to go through without being
paralysed. The aspect of things is fast changing. The past twenty years has seen
a movement into a realm where the old methods and means no longer prove
effectual. We shall soon find a tremendous pressing down of the powers of
darkness upon this earth, using the world-powers to such a degree and in such
ways as to eclipse anything which has hitherto been. This is in full accord with
the Word of God. There will be one, and only one hope for God's people, and that
is their knowledge of Him in Christ and the power of His resurrection as a
present spiritual reality. Not their activities, enthusiasms, organisations,
enterprises, creeds, "churches," orthodoxy, and so on, but HIMSELF. That time,
which is now coming upon us - though imperceptible to so many who are
preoccupied with plans and programmes - will make manifest the principle of the
"One Body," for each of the Lord's children will feel keenly the need of the
fellowship of another, no matter of what connection so long as they know Him.
The bringing in of the ministry of the prophets of old had its occasion in
the breakdown of the Lord's true order. Theirs it was to keep before His people
what that order was, and to call back to it, against a day of fire. We are in
such a time, and what the Lord needs is that instrument by which He can keep His
mind about things in view, and call back to it; an instrument which will pay the
price of being refused a hearing, ostracism, false imputations, slander, and
cruel calumny. This needs faith, boldness, and a preparedness to leave all
vindication with the Lord.
Beloved fellow members of Christ, will you have it urged upon you to seek the
Lord for "a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him," a pure
spiritual unveiling of the Lord Jesus as God's representation of His thought
concerning all those matters which we have mentioned, and as He gives you light
will you see grace to stand for Him in the day of His need, with all boldness,
and whatever the price. All other questions will answer themselves as you do
this.
Yours in the bonds of His One Body,
T. Austin-Sparks