In order that life may fulfil
its function, reveal its power, reach its full measure,
and pass on its potentialities, it must assume form. Life
in itself has never been seen. Only through the form
which it takes can it express itself. It must have a
body. It is only through the body and corporate relations
that the great laws of life and the spiritual kingdom can
come to fullest expression and efficiency. Life involves
relations. Isolation spells death.
The relation into which
the new-born child of God is introduced is twofold -
first to its risen Lord, as Head of the Body which is the
Church, and secondly to all its members, consisting of
those who in every age and country have heard His voice,
and come out at His call. They have not merely been
'called out,' they have been 'called in.' It is a call
with a double object.
First it is private,
personal, specific, as between the individual and his
Lord. Stripping himself clear of all relations,
entanglements, and environments, he must come first of
all into the consciousness of his own nakedness, face to
face with God alone, bringing nothing with him
of his own personality. We are as truly born naked in the
spiritual as in the natural realm. In the private
presence of God relations are set up which are primary
and fundamental. Spirit meets with spirit.
From that personal
relatedness the child of God is introduced to a new
order, a great spiritual fellowship, a relatedness of all
who have been "born of the Spirit." This
relatedness is as absolutely essential as is that of the
organs of the physical body. For growth, function,
safety, balance, and fulness, this co-ordination,
interdependence and co-operation in spirit and practice
is indispensable. It involves an utter repudiation of
independence, separateness, and self-centredness. This is
inherent in new birth and being "in one Spirit
baptized into one body," and the sooner it is
recognised the greater the saving of the precious time in
spiritual maturity.
We are related to an
order which is higher than anything on this earth or of
the natural creation. The higher the organism, the longer
the process of co-ordination. It takes a very much longer
time for an elephant to be formed than other animals. But
the presence of life can and will consummate the order if
it is not violated.
"Till we all
attain unto... the stature of the fulness of
Christ."
First published in "A Witness and A
Testimony" magazine, July-August 1948, Vol 26-4