The Position Of The People Of God

We turn to another sphere where subjection is necessary, namely, that of the People of God, the Assembly of God, the House of God.

The scene of Matthew 28. 18-2Q, gives character to all that follows. There we see One, even our Lord Jesus Christ, asserting the fact that all authority has been committed to Him. In view thereof He commissions His servants to Go, make disciples, baptize them, teach them to observe all things whatsoever He has commanded. In connexion with this we read, "God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." Of Him we read that He as Son is " over His (God's) House." Let us give careful consideration to these words ; we shall then appreciate more fully the significance of the title "Jesus Christ our Lord," and we shall learn that God's faithfulness will not countenance any other fellowship than that of His Son.

We need hardly say that the Lord's place in this connexion is in no way opposed to our subjection to world rulers. Until the Lord overthrows such powers in the day of His manifestation, it is our place to be under obedience to them. The sphere of authority of which we now write, is not the world, but that which belongs to the rejected Lord-the sphere of His people.

We learn that to secure the observance of the Lord's will in that sphere, to feed and tend God's flock, to oversee and take care of the church of God, to secure due behaviour in God's house, a number of men are associated together by the Lord, variously spoken of as Elders, Overseers, Guides, Shepherds, and so forth, their function being to exercise a general oversight of the flock of God. In the fulfilling of their charge they will need to watch, guide, encourage, admonish, reprove, and above all set an example to the flock. The corresponding duty of the saints will be to obey them, submit to them, esteem them, imitate them.

Such men have the desire for the work put into their hearts by God; the call is secret and personal, but manifests itself by a lively interest in the people and work of God. After due proof of their call, such are recognised and welcomed by those already associated in the work, who in so acting express the mind of the Lord.

It is of the first importance that in such a company there be mutual subjection. Overseers should be men the farthest removed from a factious, lawless, self-assertive spirit. While having convictions as to God's will, they, if associated by God with other men in His work, will appreciate the necessity of subordination and of acting in fellowship with their brethren. Their fellows in the company of overseers will also take care that such unity of action is maintained; and that independency is not permitted, according to that word "Take heed to yourselves."

The duty of the saints towards these men has already been indicated. It belongs not to them to place the men or to displace them ; neither is it right in them to censure or bring them into contempt. It is the duty of the saints to obey, to follow, to esteem, to salute them. If in connexion with world rulers it is not permitted to resist, more so is it wrong so to do in the sphere of the Lord's rule.

We are in great danger of imbibing the spirit that prevails around us in these democratic, lawless days, when government is carried on in the midst of strife and contention, and sometimes the rulers serve as the butt for the shafts of ignorant men. It would be sad indeed if such a system of lawlessness should prevail among the people of God.

If we acknowledge, as we do, the possibility of overseers abusing their position by acting in a high-handed way, yet we urge that even so, an unsubject disrespectful manner is not the way in which to meet them. Such conduct cannot be right; so to act, is like attempting to extinguish a fire by pouring oil upon it. Although there is a possibility of overseers acting with undue rigour, yet no one can intelligently observe the signs of the times without seeing that perhaps greater danger lies in the opposite direction. The probability is that overseers will so desire to please the people as to be too little regardful of the discipline of God's house; and where a sharp rebuke would be proper, they will pass the matter by or at the most mildly expostulate. If expostulating so mildly their words are heard without resentment, they will be thankful; more likely offence will be taken and a threat made of leaving the assembly.

It may be thought that these remarks are rather one-sided and have not dealt with the responsibilities of those in the higher place, but that is not the subject of this article, the intention being to confine our attention to the subject of subjection in the various relationships indicated, which are all of God. At another time there may be opportunity to show the obligations of husbands, parents, masters, rulers, and overseers. But it must be observed that failure in the ruler does not justify insubjection in the ruled.

Insubjection is essentially wrong, the subversion of God's order. It is not from above but from beneath. It proceeds from the will of man which has been perverted from the will of God and which is ever opposed to His law and His ordinances. Often it is disguised under some better sounding name, such as the asserting of one's rights, liberty, and so forth.

It is not suggested that the workings of lawlessness are confined to the above-mentioned divine institutions. The evil principle proceeding from the heart of man enters into everything with which he is brought into contact. We have limited ourselves to but one part of the field of its activities, believing that it is timely to draw attention to the evil. Let us then abhor the evil and cleave to the good.

unknown | Dec 1936
Subjection