In The Master's Service

THE ORDER OF GOD'S HOUSETHE ORDER OF GOD'S HOUSE

Elder J.M. Bullard

In studying the way some Old Baptists behave in the Church reminds me of what I observe in some homes. Sometimes parents will leave their children and go away from home for a while. They leave their laws and order to govern them in their absence. But sometimes there is a big, overgrown boy who assumes the job of "bossing" until the parents return. This big boy is always very smart. He gives orders and demands obedience. He is usually uncompromising and harsh. The younger children must act in strict obedience to what he commands. This is often contrary to the parental law that they are duty-bound to obey. But for fear of the torture and abuse of the big brother, they yield to do what he says. Therefore, when the parents return they find the family disturbed - things out of order, and their laws disregarded. Do not some of us preachers resemble this big boy? Do we not too often give the Lord's family our own orders instead of the orders of our Master? Will our kind Master not look with disfavor upon such procedure? Won't we have to face Him in shame when we must give account for our stewardship?

Instead of this big boy abusing and exercising such authority over the family, he should have been a kind protection for them. The ministry was given as a kind of protection for the Church; at least, they are watchmen, to warn of approaching dangers. But, too often in this age of the Church, there is sometimes more danger in the watchman than there is in the enemy he is watching. So there is little protection in such a case as that. I mention this with out reference to any individual. It is a dangerous ravine into which any of us might fall, and a watchman must necessarily be closer to the enemy than the ones for whom he is watching, because he is to see it first, and either subdue it, or warn the flock of its approach. Then they are either to flee or fight, depending upon which is necessary. Sometimes it's better to flee than to fight; and always so, unless you have a brave and true leader.

God's house is to ever be protected by the providence and power of God, and will stand for ever (Dan. 2:44). There has never been any danger in the respect of destroying it; but that which pertains to its usefulness here, is in the hands of those who occupy it. The orders that are to govern it have never been altered or changed. However, men have at different times made alterations and additions, but the laws that God gave her remain the same. They cannot be changed without serious injury to those affected. Christ, when He went away, solemnly gave some practices to be engaged in until He comes back. He was leaving a great possession, and it is His yet. If it is not functioning just as He authorized it, it is not because of His failure to instruct her; because He did not leave her here in this cold, unfriendly world with no knowledge of how to behave. But He tells us how we OUGHT to be have ourselves. Read 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 2:3; Psalms 101:2.

Now I wish to call attention to some things that must be heeded, and it is a "neglect," rather than a bringing in of some thing "new."

Notice: "Unto the church at Ephesus, write: I know thy labor and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are evil, and thou hast tried them who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars, and has borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, for thou hast left thy first love," etc. -Rev. 2:2,3,4.

What was the matter? Left her first love! Neglect! What was the denunciation? "Remember from whence thou art fallen, repent, and do thy first works," etc. -Rev. 2:5.

Another thing required: "To the Church which is at Sardis write: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead. Be watchful to strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." etc. - Rev. 3:1, 2.

Here we see a church is to be engaged in working if it is looked upon as an orderly church. How diligent we should be to be engaged in the works which He commands! Why is it that a church can drag on, and die, and no one will ever utter a word? But when a church gets too smart, and drags in some new or unscriptural practice, everybody is ready to howl "DISORDER!" Well, some might want to ask me what I think of the new measures and new practices in the Church.

To be continued . . .