…”the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matt 13:46). It is a merchant, a man who knows his business. He is seeking goodly pearls, something that is not spurious. It says,”when he had found one pearl,” not a string of pearls, one pearl of great price. It speaks of the peculiar beauty that attaches to the assembly as having but one object for her affections. It is the beauty of undivided affection for Christ. That was of great value in the Lord’s sight…and He was prepared to surrender all that was His legitimately with a view to securing this one object of His affections. Think of what joy it was to the Lord to live here as a Man ministering to the heart of God every day of His life, and conscious of His pleasure! Yet He would surrender that—He would go down into death for the sake of the pearl.
(A J Gardiner, Clacton, 1938)
Golden Nuggets are published by Saville Street Distribution, Venture, Princes Esplanade, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8QD UK
Some say there is now no collective Christian position and that it is impossible for Christians rightly to break bread together in view of the public breakdown of the church. However I think we can free from sectarian organisation.
I have heard it said that there is now no collective Christian position. I understand what they mean. Some have though that it meant it was now impossible for Christians rightly to break bread together in view of the public breakdown of the church. However I think we can free from sectarian organisation.
I believe that the Lord is reminding His own as to the subject of gathering. A brother recently wrote to me, referring back to when he was ill in 1970 (a significant year for some readers). He wrote:
“I was crying out to the Lord in pain, when the Lord came back to me with the rebuke, ‘You don’t really love me! all you love is ‘the assembly’, I am secondary to all you do!’
By putting ‘the assembly’ in quotes, I am sure he was referring to a religious body, not the body of Christ. That challenged me: does my little round of meetings and the fellowship I enjoy mean more to me than the Lord Himself. Frederick Raven said he did not understand a ‘collective position’. Many resisted him then – maybe we would have been preserved from a lot of sorrow had we gotten the gain of his ministry since. Here are a few extracts (slightly edited for sense) from a reading on the parables of the mustard tree and the leaven in Matthew 13:31-46 (1901) – See Ministry of F E Raven Vol 15 p 359).
F E Raven
Frederick Raven
The mustard tree conveys the idea of imperialism, the hierarchical system of things, a great conspicuous figure, which affords shelter; the leaven hid in the three measures of meal represents a great inflated mass leavened by corrupted doctrine. When Christianity assumed a form and character which God never intended, it was morally a ruin. The ruin has come in upon Christianity as a whole. I think everyone who takes a place outside the great world order is a witness to the ruin. We must go on without any pretension, without any idea of what is called corporate witness, an ecclesiastical company in any sense. We are in danger of becoming a tree: well let us say, a small tree.
In reply to the remark ‘Our collective Christian position is a witness to the ruin’. Raven answered. I do not understand a collective position. I think our position is essentially individual. I cannot see any warrant for anything save what is individual in the present state of things. Find ‘those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart’ (2 Tim 2:22), I do not mind who: I am not recognising a company. I cannot see any warrant for anything save what is individual in the present state of things. Scripture says, ‘Two are better than one’ (Eccl 4:9). If you get two people walking in righteousness they will naturally be drawn together. I should not recognise a company. If I were asked to what company I belong, I should say, “To none”.
Abiding in Christ meets every difficulty. The sad thing to me is, that I see a great number today who do not seem to be abiding in Christ. I do not say that they are not Christians, but the only antidote to lawlessness is abiding in Christ.
We break bread in view of all Christians; we cannot compass all in fact, but in our mind we take in all saints. The moment we go out in thought to the whole church all is plain sailing. A Christian who isolates himself is lawless.
When asked, ’Is there any company that can act with authority?”. FER answered ‘No’. Then asked ‘How then can we deal with evil?’, ‘You do not go on with evil. We seek to act according to the truth. As to putting away, I am a bit afraid of the collective idea. The only thing that can act with the authority of Christ is the church. However, two or three acting in Christ’s name is not really the church, only they are guided by the principle of the church. ‘We being many are one body’ (Rom 12:5). I do not see any warrant for taking the place of a company; we stand apart from the organisation of Christendom.
My Conclusion
Perhaps we all need to be with the Lord and do a bit of rethinking. I fear lest in leaving or rejecting the tenets of one company, we join or espouse the ideas of another. Occupation with Christ is the only antidote.
Sosthenes
September 2019
Full Text of Reading
Following some criticism for ‘selectively quoting’ from FER, I am reproducing the whole reading.
See Ministry of F E Raven Vol 15 p 359).
Obtainable from Kingston Bible Trust
I do not believe that my extracts detract in any way from the whole reading
READING ON MATTHEW
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Ques. In reference to the tree — is it the thought that the outward proportion is according to the inward corruption?
F.E.R. Yes; but I think you must distinguish between them. The leaven and the mustard tree are two different similitudes. One represents one thing, and the other represents another. The tree conveys the idea of imperialism, a great conspicuous figure, which affords shelter. On the other hand, the leaven hid in the three measures of meal represents a great inflated mass leavened by corrupted doctrine — they are two distinct figures.
Rem. The mustard tree represents the hierarchical system of things.
F.E.R. Yes, it becomes conspicuous in the world, ruling over the kings of the earth. The harlot will ride the beast. That is imperialism. The three measures of meal leavened represent a great inflated mass.
Rem. Permeating a given sphere.
F.E.R. Exactly.
Ques. Do you get the end of those two views in Revelation 17 and 18?
F.E.R. I should think what you get in Revelation is more the mustard tree. It is the great city Babylon that rules over the kings of the earth.
Ques. Does the apostle speak of leaven in 2 Timothy 3 where he gives a moral description of the last days? Does that give the idea of leaven?
The Adaptation of Christianity to Man
F.E.R. Not quite to my mind. I think leaven is very much more what is human. It is the adaptation of Christianity to man. Everything is humanised.
Rem. That is the point — Christianity adapted to human ideas.
Ques. Is it what is spoken of in Colossians 2?
F.E.R. Yes, that is it. “After the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world”.
Rem. “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them”.
F.E.R. What is our place in regard of all these things? We have a perception of them, and are professedly apart from them, but I do not know whether we are apart from them morally, and I fear in many minds there is a kind of hankering after them. What was said at the beginning was that if you stand outside these things, as recognising the character of them, you are a witness to the ruin. It is a poor kind of thing to be a witness to the ruin, but that is pretty much where we are. I do not know how far it is understood.
Rem. That is what was before me, that we might see how far we are sensible of the ruin and outside of it. The mustard tree is the ruin.
Ques. This is a picture of the ruin of what?
Rem. It is the ruin of the kingdom of heaven that is spoken of here. The mustard tree is the ruin.
The Church and the Kingdom of Heaven
Ques. Do you distinguish between the church and the kingdom of heaven?
Rem. I do; but in bringing in the kingdom the church comes into view. The mustard tree is a great hierarchical system which Christ never intended the church to be.
Rem. It is the product of a false kingdom instead of the true. Babylon is a false system.
Rem. You get the beginning of it in 1 Corinthians. “Ye have reigned as kings without us”.
F.E.R. It is worth while to know what is in our minds when we speak about the ruin. When christianity assumed a form and character which God never intended, it was morally a ruin. God never intended that there should be clergy and sacramentalism and all that sort of thing; but that is the form that christianity has taken to a very large extent.
Ques. When we speak of the ruin, do we not think rather more of it in connection with a house than a tree? You would say that the house has broken down.
F.E.R. I do not know that I should say that. I think Christianity has.
Rem. Christianity was really intended to produce a moral witness for Christ here, and in that sense it has failed.
Ques. Does the failure embrace both the kingdom and the church phase of things?
F.E.R. I think the ruin has come in upon Christianity as a whole. I think every one who takes a place outside the great world order is a witness to the ruin.
Ques. Are you not a witness to what cannot be touched by ruin? Was not Paul?
F.E.R. You are not qualified to be a witness to the ruin if you are not up to the mark.
Rem. Our collective position is a witness to the ruin.
I do not understand a Collective Position.
F.E.R. I do not understand a collective position.
Ques. “With those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart”, does not that imply a company?
F.E.R. I do not mind who it is: it is anybody who calls on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Ques. What was in your mind when you said that you do not understand a collective position?
F.E.R. I think our position is essentially individual. I cannot see any warrant for anything save what is individual in the present state of things.
Rem. But Scripture says, “Two are better than one”.
F.E.R. I agree to that. I cannot see how we can be a witness to the ruin if we are lawless. A lawless man cannot be a witness to the ruin, he is in the ruin. If you get two people walking in righteousness they will naturally be drawn together.
‘Our Fellowship’
Rem. A good deal has been said about our fellowship.
Rem. I think that means christian fellowship.
Ques. I often hear the expression, ‘So-and-so is not in our fellowship’. If we use such terms, what is meant?
F.E.R. I should suppose that what is meant is that So-and-so is not walking in the truth. If a man is going on in Bethesda, I should not say that that man is really in the fellowship of the truth.
Rem. I have heard you say that the only warrant for our going on together in fellowship is in that passage in 2 Timothy: “follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”.
F.E.R. Quite so. It is the only warrant I know for it.
Rem. Then we must go on without any pretension, or without any idea of what is called corporate witness.
Rem. What you mean is that we cannot claim to be an ecclesiastical company in any sense.
Rem. We are in danger of becoming a tree.
F.E.R. Well, a small tree.
Rem. I suppose we cannot help walking together if we are each walking in the truth.
F.E.R. I do not mind at all if the truth is the bond. There are, I fear, a great many in fellowship with us who look upon brethren as an association, or something of the kind, on scriptural lines, and they are borne along with it.
Rem. I suppose it is that you really stand aside and through grace wait for Christ, and if there are any others waiting they are glad to break bread with you; not forming anything.
F.E.R. Quite so.
Romanism and Protestantism
Rem. I do not see in the seven churches that anything is under the eye of Christ but Romanism and Protestantism — Thyatira and Sardis; all the sects, and so on, are not anything under the eye of Christ, they are all part of Protestantism. It is Romanism on the one hand and Protestantism on the other.
Ques. What about Laodicea?
Rem. That is part of Protestantism.
Ques. What of Philadelphia?
Rem. That is also part of Protestantism.
Rem. Do you think these parables have any connection with the previous part of the gospel — the tree and the fruit — and the tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is cut down? I thought of Christ as the green tree. He was removed. The trees of the earth were cut down because of the evil in them.
F.E.R. I think the fig tree has been cut down for good; but the fig tree represents man under culture, and it is cursed.
Rem. The tree that is spoken of here is not in connection with fruit good or bad. It is connected with shade and overshadowing.
Ques. When you speak of ‘individual’, is there not such a thing as the unity of the Spirit?
F.E.R. Yes; but if you are a witness to the ruin, you do everything right, else you are no witness. If you are lawless you are involved in the ruin. The mystery of lawlessness already works, and it is only as we are apart from it that we are a witness to the ruin.
Ques. Is there any company that can act with authority?
F.E.R. No.
How can we deal with Evil?
Ques. How then can we deal with evil?
F.E.R. You do not go on with it. There is no need to go on with evil.
Ques. Are we to look for “faithful men” today?
F.E.R. Yes, I think so. I think we seek to act according to the truth.
Rem. It has often been said that it is only the assembly that can put away.
F.E.R. I am a bit afraid of the collective idea. The meaning of putting away is to get apart from evil. I think the only thing that can act with the authority of Christ is the church. I do not think two or three acting in Christ’s name is really the church, only they are guided by the principle of the church.
Ques. If you went into a place you would try to find those who are calling on the Lord out of a pure heart?
“I should not recognise a company. If I were asked to what company I belong, I should say,’ To none’.”
F.E.R. Yes, certainly; but I should not recognise a company. If I were asked to what company I belong, I should say, To none.
Ques. Would you address a letter of commendation to the saints?
F.E.R. Yes; but it is not because I recognise a company, but because I know there are saints there who call upon the Lord with a pure heart; but those few saints are not the church.
Ques. What is it if it is not a company?
F.E.R. A sort of two or three held together by the truth. In acting we can only act in the light of the church.
Ques. Would the expression “Tell it to the assembly” hold good now?
F.E.R. The principle of it would, but I think we are in danger of getting into an organisation. We have lists of meetings or address books.
Ques. When you speak of a company you are using the word in a sense of an ecclesiastical company?
F.E.R. Yes. People do their best to force us into some ecclesiastical position. Brethren are not an addition to the system around us; it is the very thing we have to contend against. I do not see any warrant for standing apart from what is in christendom, but in seeing that it is not according to God, and this is individual.
Ques. How would leaven affect us now?
F.E.R. You will find in christendom that the precepts of christianity are very largely adapted to man as man. Men can take up an official position as men. For a clergyman it is not necessary that a man should be converted. I have no doubt that a great part of the world is largely affected by the precepts which you get in the epistles, but they are applied to man as man.
Ques. We have heard recently that many have taken the path without faith in it; is that what is in your mind to guard against?
F.E.R. Yes; if people take account of brethren as a company, and attach themselves to them as such, there is no faith for the path, and they are hanging on some one else. I do not know what the end of it will be. We are, I fear, dragging on a lot of unwilling people.
Ques. What about young people who desire to take their place to remember the Lord? May they not be instructed?
F.E.R. Yes; but they not only want instruction but faith for the path.
Rem. Abiding in Christ meets every difficulty.
F.E.R. The sad thing to me is, that I see a great number today who do not seem to be abiding in Christ. I do not say that they are not christians, but they are in measure lawless. The only antidote to lawlessness is abiding in Christ.
Ques. What is our warrant for breaking bread at all if you get rid of the company idea?
“We want to walk in the light of the church”
F.E.R. If you do not act in the light of the Lord, you are lawless. We want to walk in the light of the church. The moment we go out in thought to the whole church all is plain sailing. If a christian isolates himself he is lawless; but we want to keep ourselves and our own minds clear of the company idea.
Rem. There is a sense in which you can look at the company by taking in all saints.
F.E.R. Yes, you are on plain ground then.
Rem. You would have a great objection to a christian isolating himself.
F.E.R. Yes, I think he is lawless.
Ques. Does not breaking bread give the thought of a company?
F.E.R. I break bread in thinking of the entire company.
Rem. The one loaf takes in the whole of the saints.
F.E.R. Yes. In mind you take in all saints, and you break bread in view of all christians; we cannot compass all in fact, but in our mind we take in all saints.
Rem. You take in in your mind what is in God’s mind.
F.E.R. Yes, exactly. “We being many are one body”. I do not see any warrant for taking the place of a company; we stand apart from the organisation of christendom.
Rem. The use of the word ‘company’ involves in many minds the idea of some kind of corporation.
Rem. The brethren.
F.E.R. Yes. The great point is that we must each individually be in faith. I take myself as an example; if any one challenged me as to what I belong to in christendom I should say, ‘To nothing’. It would not be a quibble in my mind.
Rem. 2 Timothy is a great book for us now. It shews a clear path. Follow first righteousness, then faith, then love.
F.E.R. Yes; but it is with those who call, &c.
Calling on the Lord out of a pure Heart is Individual
Rem. It would be unbecoming for any company of christians to claim that they were calling on the Lord out of a pure heart.
F.E.R. Yes, the individual does that.
Ques. When you speak of a company, would not that imply every one forming that company?
Rem. It is very difficult to convey an idea of what it is to others. It is inexplicable to people outside.
F.E.R. I am not considering what they think, but what is in my own mind. My point is as to where we are in regard of these things in our own minds. I believe the thought in a great many minds is that brethren are a company in christendom gathered together on scriptural ideas.
Rem. You would refuse their putting you in a false position.
F.E.R. I am anxious to be out of a false position in my own mind. I have no doubt the position is an exceedingly difficult one.
Ques. When we use the plural number, ‘we’ and ‘us’, ought we not to take in in our minds the whole church?
F.E.R. Yes, I think so. The point with regard to it all is the idea that people have in their minds of the position taken up, and of our relation to all that is going on.
Ques. Did not all this come out some years ago in Fragmentary Remarks?
F.E.R. I am quite sure all this was in Mr. Darby’s mind. No one was more averse to anything like organisation than he was. The very fact that any one of us is seeking to pursue the truth of necessity brings us together for the moment; but there can be no collective witness to the ruin; it is individual.
Rem. Mr. Darby maintained that we were only two or three, and if we were a witness to anything we were a witness to the ruin.
Rem. You are a witness to the ruin by abiding in Christ rather than by taking pains to let people know whom you are associated with.
F.E.R. I think so. I want to see an end of lawlessness amongst those with whom we are associated. If we were abiding in Christ we should stand clear of a great many things we are now associated with. I see many people in fellowship who assent to the truth, but who are not governed by the truth. Do you think if people were abiding in Christ, they would be found in picture galleries? Is that suitable to abiding in Christ? If you are not abiding in Christ, you are sure to be lawless.
Ques. How is this difficulty to be met with regard to those who seek for help?
Faith for the Path
F.E.R. The difficulty is, there are people who have not faith for the path.
Ques. What do you mean by faith for the path?
F.E.R. Take Moses. Moses had every opportunity in the world, but he had faith for a path. If people have faith for the path they will be prepared for self-abnegation. If they want to get the best of both worlds, to get the things of this world as well as the things of Christ, they will not be much good. It is not that we make a company, but our bond is the truth. What we want to know more of is living down here in relation to the One in heaven. I defy anybody to find any antidote at all to lawlessness excepting abiding in Christ. It certainly means the entire setting aside of our own will.
Ques. Do I get a right impression that the only thing for us is for the truth of God to be made good in our souls individually?
F.E.R. Yes.
Ques. What would you say abiding in Christ is?
F.E.R. It is like the earth abiding in the sun. It is coming under the influence of Christ; you are held by attraction to Christ.
Rem. If we are walking in the Spirit, we shall be abiding in Christ.
F.E.R. I think the whole universe will abide in Christ, and that is how God intends to set lawlessness aside. In the meantime we abide in Christ and He in us. I do not think Christ will abide in you if you do not abide in Him. If Christ is your Head Christ is your intelligence, and you view everything according to Him. Christ in the gospels never viewed anything according to man. Man’s thoughts were continually presented to Him, but He never viewed anything according to man. We have the mind of Christ, and we view everything in relation to Christ and not to ourselves.
Rem. I remember a brother saying that practical christianity may be summed up in two expressions: the sum of the Spirit’s teaching is abide in Christ, and the sum of Christ’s teaching is “Love one another”.
Rem. I suppose if two persons were abiding in Christ they would be loving one another, and there would be unity?
F.E.R. I think so. The true principle is — “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another”. We cannot get out of that — “We have fellowship one with another”.
Last Lord’s Day the Lord took our brother Mark Lemon of Sevenoaks to be with Himself. Many readers will have known Mark, not least as editor of the magazine ‘Living Water’, and also for managing the Stone Publishing Trust, a distributor of bibles, tracts and current and old ministry. I knew Mark for over 60 years: he was a very dear brother for whom I have had much affection and esteem, who served the Lord well. He will be sorely missed by his dear wife Monica (they celebrated their golden wedding recently), the gathering in Sevenoaks and many throughout the world who received encouragement from him.
Handing on the Torch
In 1994 Mark Lemon compiled a book entitled ‘Handing on the Torch[i]’ comprising extracts from the Ministry of F E Raven. I know some readers of A Day of Small Things have problems with certain aspects of F E Raven’s ministry, and I do not want to get into a discussion about other subjects here. I just ask my readers to consider without prejudice some of the things he said as to the church and collective Christian experience. He was very much set against claiming positions – something that brought him into conflict with big-B Brethren.
Some Selections from Mark’s Book.
Here are some selections from Mark’s book.
Frederick Raven
The church is in ruins; and I am sure we ought to be more under the burden of this than we are. I have felt how little sense I have of the defection of the church, of how far the church is from the mind of God in regard to it. . . . The fact is we have had far too much in our thoughts the idea of setting up an expression of the original, and have been pretty much contented with it. That means that we are losing sight of the ruin of the church. From F E Raven: Fellowship, Privilege and Testimony[ii]
The tendency with man, if he has any sense of the failure of the church, is to begin again, to try and set up a sort of pattern of what the church originally was. It has been said that if we are a testimony to anything it is to the ruin of the church, but people do not quite like that, they want to be ‘a local expression’ of something. . . . If you have apprehended the ruin you can stand apart from what is contrary to the Lord, and be guided by the light which was from the beginning, without making any pretension to ecclesiastical order. F E Raven: Notes of Readings on Romans – Chapter 8[iii]
We cannot return to the power, to that which was at the beginning; but even in recognising that the Holy Spirit is still here, we get great good. The remnant in Malachi could not go back to the Solomon state of things. If Christianity could be set up as at the beginning, it would only fail again. It is a great assumption to imagine that we can set up a representation of the church, From ‘The Divine Side of “in Christ” and its Effect in the Saints’[iv]
I decline altogether the idea of attaching any peculiar value to a particular company because that company holds something distinctive. The only value of any company in the present dispensation is that they return to what was from the outset; that is that they represent morally the church as before Christ. From The Holy City Jerusalem[v]
If you ask me what Christianity really is, I should say it is Christ formed in the saints by the Spirit. It is not holding a certain system of doctrine. . . . I cannot conceive of anything more wonderful than to be able to say that the spiritual constitution of the believer is really derived from the heavenly, so that it can really be said,‘As is the heavenly, such are they also which are heavenly’. From The Last Adam[vi]
Conclusions
From the above, there are a number of significant points.
The church is in ruins and we are to feel our own part in it.
We cannot correct it by setting up a new representation as to what was from the beginning (I personally have recently got help as to this one)
If we did it would fail again, and we would fall back into sectarianism with its structure and formality
We should not claim to have anything distinctive, setting us apart from other believers
We need to recognise that we derive from what is heavenly, so our gathering should reflect that.
Increasingly, I have come to the conclusion that, if the Lord has, in His goodness and wisdom has put a few simple believers together enjoying assembly privilege, they are to reflect Christians in testimony, valuing all believers equally. As the Lord said, ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’John 13:35
Thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, not comforted! Behold, I will set thy stones in antimony, and lay thy foundations with sapphires; and I will make thy battlements of rubies, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of precious stones. And all thy children shall be taught of Jehovah, and great shall be the peace of thy children, (Isaiah 54:11-13).
Spoken prayer is audible, and normally it is distinct, and generally, it is public. Unspoken prayer is inarticulate – it is too deep to be voiced in words, but it is heard– heard in secret by God.
When passing through seasons of trial and sorrow, when the waterfloods of grief and bereavement overflow the soul, when depressed by one’s moral state or circumstances, when the pressure seems well-nigh at breaking-point, and prayer seems torpid and dead, what a relief, what a comfort it is to know that the priestly eye of Jesus “searches the hearts” (Romans 8:27), eager, as it were, to detect, to decipher anything there that is for God, and that He interprets the groanings of the spirit and makes intercession accordingly.
Can He heed a groan? Yes, even a groan. He counts a groan as a prayer – not only the groanings of the Spirit, “which cannot be uttered,” but also the groanings of our own spirits. A groan may speak anguish or longing desire. We may “groan, being burdened” (2 Corinthians 5:4) – groan for deliverance. We may likewise groan because what is awaiting us up there is so enchanting that we yearn to enter into it (2 Corinthians 5:2). “The whole creation groans,” and Paul adds, “we also ourselves groan,” Romans 8:22,23. Sometimes that is all we can do. Sometimes we may even groan, “O wretched man that I am!” But we never add: “Who shall deliver me?” (Romans 7:24) if we know who He is. But every groan to God is heard. “Lord, … my groaning is not hid from thee,” Psalms 38:9 (KJV). Thank God, it never is.
But He can also heed a sigh. A sigh has not that intensive force which a groan has, it is softer. Yet how affecting it sometimes is. The weeping prophet was full of sighs: “I sigh” “her people sigh” – “her priests sigh” – “my sighs are many,” Lamentations 1:21, 11, 4, 22. The weeping Saviour, Jehovah’s servant-prophet, often sighed, yea, “He sighed deeply,” Mark 8:12 (KJV).
For ever on Thy burdened heart,
A weight of sorrow hung,
Yet no rebellious murmuring word
Escaped Thy silent tongue.
The Psalms breathe His sighs. They reveal what Jesus felt as He suffered. In the Pentateuch we have the figures; in the prophets, the forecasts; in the gospels, the facts; in the epistles, the fruits; but in the Psalms, we have the feelings of Christ as He suffered.
Every sigh He heaved was to God, and, like the frankincense of the meat-offering, it went up to God. Every divinely prompted sigh we utter to God is heard. Ay, and, poor weary soul, it may mean more to Him than ten thousand words, however eloquent – “For the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord,” Psalms 12:5 (A.V).
No faintest sigh His heart can miss,
E’en now His feet are on the way,
With richest counterweight of bliss
Heaped up for every hour’s delay.
He also heeds a tear. The great men of the Bible were often great weepers – Joseph, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Ezra, Nehemiah. “Jesus wept,” John 11:35. The Man of sorrows mingled His tears with those of His bereaved and beloved ones. He wept, too, over Jerusalem. He wept also in other ways – ways too mysterious and sublime for us to understand (Hebrews 5:7). Oh! let us ponder His tears well – ponder them till every fibre of our moral being pulsates with holy emotion.
Whilst guarding against what is natural sentiment, yet we should cultivate spiritual emotions. A tear in the eye of a child may be very appealing and do what words fail to do. God treasures the tears of His people. He has a bag for their transgression, a book for their thoughts and words, a bottle for their tears (Job 14:17; Malachi 3:16; Psalms 56:8). David was not satisfied with a divine record of his tears being kept – he wanted them preserved. “Put my tears into thy bottle.”
Even in public let us not check the tear when it starts. John Bunyan said he liked to see “Mr Wet-Eyes” among the saints. I once saw a brother in tears at a prayer meeting, though he spoke not a word. I murmured, “Amen,” to his unspoken prayer. The woman of Luke 7 said nothing with her lips, but her tears said a good deal. Paul speaks of his “many tears” (2 Corinthians 2:4); John wrote, “I wept much” (Revelation 5:4); Timothy was in tears about the testimony of our Lord (2 Timothy 1:4, 8). We need to steep the gospel seed in tears (Psalms 126:6). Who can estimate the worth and power of a tear shed before God in prayer?
Then there is a look. Solomon prayed, at the dedication of the temple, “When they shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house,” 1 Kings 8:38. What a mute appeal, yet how pathetic! How many a pious Israelite, in captivity or alienation from God’s house, feeling the plague of his own heart and otherwise oppressed, looked towards God’s house, like Daniel at his open window, and got blessing. We can look toward heaven to a Person. “They looked unto him, and were enlightened (Psalms 34:5) – that is the way of relief and happiness. Try it, dear troubled one. Perhaps you say, I have looked but have got no relief. Look again– look till your spiritual vision becomes calm and clear. Jonah said when down among “the weeds” and at “the bottoms of the mountains” and tempest-tossed by “the flood,” “breakers,” and “billows,” “I will look again toward thy holy temple,” and he did. Then he was able to add, “And my prayer came in unto thee,” Jonah 2:3-7.
Then there is a desire. How cheering and reviving it is that even a desire can cleave the mighty space between earth and heaven and be heard above. “Jehovah, thou hast heard the desire of the meek,” Psalms 10:17. Every desire born in the renewed affections after Him is cherished and fostered by Him. “Lord, all my desire is before thee,” Psalms 38:9.
Are we so overwhelmed that we cannot even groan or sigh; so low that we cannot give vent to even a tear or a look: so utterly cold, inert, and hopeless that the soul feels it is prayerless? Yet, surely there must be a desire after God if there is life! Beloved, that is prayer!“With my soul have I desired thee in the night,” Isaiah 26:9. Amid impenetrable gloom that may sometimes enshroud us, when the soul seems shut out from God, and the heavens seem like brass, when there is neither moon nor stars to lighten the darkness of our night – then, even then, we can rest in a quiet waiting, heaven-inwrought desire after God, and be encouraged by knowing that even the desire of the heart is graciously heeded and interpreted by Him as unspoken prayer.
I trust that you proved God’s mercies over the Christmas period (however you did, or did not, celebrate it), and hope that He will give you health and happiness in 2019, as you enjoy Christian fellowship.
As we start a new year, I thought it might be a good idea to remind one another of those things which motivated Darby and others in the early 1800’s, and their relevance to us now.
A reminder that the Lord’s coming even closer now. Paul wrote, ‘It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light’ (Rom 13:11-12). Paul was, I believe, looking forward to the rapture – the salvation of our bodies which will be changed. As we look around we see the darkness of the world, getting even darker as God’s honoured relationships are discounted. At the same time the public sphere is becoming more and more confused – in the UK, USA and in the Rome-backed EU, with oppressive regimes and wars elsewhere). The love of the many may have grown cold, but the light shines even brighter amongst Christians who have the hope of our Lord’s coming, and amongst those enduring persecution.
A reminder that the calling of the church’s mission is heavenly. It’s sad: so often we hear that striving to be better Christians we can make this world a better place. We cannot; we never will. Jesus said, ‘They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world’ (John 17:14), while Paul wrote, ‘For our conversation [or ‘commonwealth’ – Darby or ‘citizenship’ – NIV, ASV etc.] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself’ (Phil 3:21) .
A reminder that Christians are called to be apart from religious organisations which are based on the principles of the world – human organisation with one person in charge of an assembly be it a pastor, vicar, priest or whatever, and human performances with beautiful music and liturgical rituals on one hand emotional excitement on the other, all pandering to the flesh.
So, what do we see? Small Christian companies which are unattractive outwardly, and if we are honest somewhat struggling. You ask ‘How will they grow and spread, and what is the future?’ If the Lord’s coming is just round the corner, why be worried about the future? Maybe our faith is being tested – meanwhile let’s just obey the Lord – ‘This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you’ (John 15:12). ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another’ (John 13:35).
God’s blessings in 2019.
Sosthenes
PS – A thought about Corinth
Thinking about the above, last week we had a meeting for ministry meeting and I was moved to give a word on what constitutes a good local assembly:
Not Corinth – Good numbers, gifted speakers but factions and politics
Not Ephesus – Absolutely correct teaching and well ordered – but no love
Just ’the poor of the flock’ – like Philadelphia – just a little power but as the city’s name implies – brotherly love
A brother followed speaking about Corinth and orderly meetings (1 Cor 14). You could imagine a large hall: I guess they didn’t have seats, but a several (men and women?) speaking simultaneously People gathered round the speaker they liked.
The question comes up. ‘Who do you meet with?’ –
Answer – ‘We don’t have a name’.
Question ‘I see, so which of the many groups of Brethren are you?’
However much we try, it seems as we cannot get away from that label.
Why do we like to Fall Back on Labels?
I am guilty of a serious thing. This week I met a fellow believer and we enjoyed a happy conversation. Then came up the inevitable question ‘Who do you meet with?’. My friend said something indirectly pointing to a group of Christians. Immediately I pigeonholed him into a division of that united vessel (I wish I could think of another word) and associated this with preconceived negative thoughts and doctrinal differences. The result – our warm and happy conversation was marred, and we went away thinking of differences, not of our Saviour, His glory and His return to rapture His saints. I owe that brother an apology.
Why do I do such a thing? Doubtless, Satan has us resting on this or that group of Christians. We are comfortable with the fellowship, the structure and the part we can play.
This is so different from what we have been taught. There is only one church – the assembly of the living God, purchased with the blood of our Lord Jesus; there is only one fellowship – the fellowship of God’s Son. We have confused the true function of the church – something perfect, with its origin and destiny in heaven with what we as Christians can and should do down here. In God’s grace, we may have been led to reject human organisation and church leadership, sectarianism, the building up of things here.
The question comes up. ‘Who do you meet with?’ –
Answer – ‘We don’t have a name’.
Question ‘I see, so which of the many groups of Brethren are you?’
However much we try, it seems as we cannot get away from that label.
A Church with No Name
The Church with No Name
Here is a picture of a little chapel or meeting room, about an hour’s drive from where I live. Formerly an evangelical church, it was disused and in a bad state when a few lovers of our Lord bought it and painstakingly renovated it. When finished they invited many from the area to join in prayer – not to bless the room or any group, but to seek the Lord’s guidance as to what they should do. I was led to give a little word from 2 Cor 8:5 – ‘They gave them selves first to the Lord, and to us by God’s will.’ (Darby). (See ‘Have we had it the Wrong Way Round?’)
.
There is no name. All you can say that is where there is a gathering of a few simple Christians who seek to be true to our Lord in very confused circumstances. They break bread in obedience to the Lord’s request ‘This do in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19). Those who go there regularly know the certainty of their eternal salvation and have received the Holy Spirit. They are not connected with any humanly organised sect – nor are they in that meeting by membership. Collectively, they do not know who they are, apart from a collection of lovers of the Lord Jesus, and, though bound for glory, do not know where the Lord is leading them in their testimonial pathway. May it remain that way!
Over the past year or so the Lord has shown me that many of my thoughts as to the working of assembly administration have been based on man’s ideas not God’s.
I may have been looking at such things in other denominations hand have been quick to criticised. I needed to look closer at home and to see that much was based on prescriptive thoughts of godly men and gifted servants – but taken to be ‘rules’ rather than help.
What is primary is the Lord’s view – it is His assembly. Who is here to help us the Holy Spirit. Is there a written guide – the Holy Scriptures. Did the Lord give us any commandments – just one ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another’ (John 13:34) .
As a result I am pulling temporally several pages whilst I review what I have written.
what is it that will make me exclusive? Love will do it. I know that many people think the opposite of this and that our exclusiveness is anything but love, but I am sure of my ground when I say that nothing but divine love will enable you to be exclusive of what is in man.
Frederick Raven
I shall speak of the idea of exclusiveness. We have been in reproach because of what has been termed our exclusiveness. Now l want to be exclusive of all which Christ would be exclusive. I do not think Christ is exclusive of men. I am sure He desires to receive every man, and would save them all, but men are not willing that He should. I am not exclusive of men, but shall I tell you what Christ excludes? All that is of man. What is in man? Why, the world is in man and Christ will not tolerate it, and nor will I, by grace, go on with it, either. I want to be exclusive of all that He excludes; lust and pride are in man’s heart, that is really the world. Now what is it that will make me exclusive? Love will do it. I know that many people think the opposite of this and that our exclusiveness is anything but love, but I am sure of my ground when I say that nothing but divine love will enable you to be exclusive of what is in man. (F E Raven, Letters p302)
Golden Nugget Number 191
Golden Nuggets are published by Saville Street Distribution, Venture, Princes Esplanade, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8QD UK
Branch of Theology Darby’s Probable Position
Hermeneutics – concerning the Biblical text Qualified-literal – Passages are literal, figurative or symbolic, and recognised as such. Also, that which relates to Israel and the law (OT) is distinct from that which applies to the church and grace (NT).
Soteriology – concerning salvation Classic evangelical – God-given faith in the blood. Without the atoning work of Christ, man must bear the guilt of his sin and remain at a distance from God without knowledge of Him or of His love. More Calvinist than Arminian but claiming neither
Should there be an Introduction to a Little Basic Theology?
At a discussion about ‘A Day of Small Things’ with a few friends, the suggestion was made that there should be an introduction to a little basic theology. This is a subject many like myself have steered clear of, even regarding the term as a dirty word, and for very good reason.
– We read the scriptures, we have bible readings and other occasions, and we pray with a view to ‘knowing God’ and in an assembly setting it can be said that we are ‘taught of God’ and guided by the Holy Spirit.
– On the other hand, theology is the critical study of the nature of the divine. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. (Wikipedia) – Trying to mentally encompass the inscrutable God is futile, even profane!
However, there are times when we desire to help fellow Christians who have been subjected to a different system of teaching. It is then useful to understand lines of thought, which we might feel are not fully in accord with, or a misinterpretation of scripture, even when they are held by seriously devout godly believers.
So recently I have been seeking to produce a short guide to some of the theological terms that we might encounter – not to make theologians of us, wasting time on ‘foolish and unlearned questions (2 Tim 2:23)’. But it is useful to know what is meant, for example, by the difference between Calvinism (and its five points) and Arminianism, pre-, post- and a-millennial eschatology etc. Through this we can see how we might relate to those from Baptist (Calvinist), Wesleyan/Methodist/Pentecostal (Arminian), and other backgrounds, and to be able to bring in what is positive in a meek way without giving offence. We are exhorted: ‘In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth’ (2 Tim 2:25) – a scripture which follows the instruction as to separating from iniquity.
The Word
Love is of God, and every one that loves has been begotten of God, and knows God. He that loves not has not known God; for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8 Darby)
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent(John 17:3)
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings (Phil 3:10)
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (John 5:39).
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth(2 Tim 3:7)
Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. (Eccl 12:12)
A Call for Help
I am no theologian – I studied economics and statistics, not theology. So I would like to invite several to review my draft when I have done my bit. There are two or three persons I have already contacted, but if you feel you could help please let me know.
John Nelson Darby
Meanwhile, for a start, here is what might be written about Darby theology
Branch of Theology
Darby’s Probable Position
Hermeneutics – concerning the Biblical text
Qualified-literal – Passages are literal, figurative or symbolic, and recognised as such. Also, that which relates to Israel and the law (OT) is distinct from that which applies to the church and grace (NT).
Soteriology – concerning salvation
Classic evangelical – God-given faith in the blood. Without the atoning work of Christ, man must bear the guilt of his sin and remain at a distance from God without knowledge of Him or of His love. More Calvinist than Arminian but claiming neither
Eschatology – concerning prophecy
‘The Father of Premillennial Dispensationalism’ – The pre-tribulation secret rapture with the Church returning with Christ at the start of the millennium
Ecclesiology – concerning the church and church form
The true church is heavenly, unified and perfect – publicly it is in ruins – the call is to depart from iniquity and gather to the Lord’s name – without form, organisation or ordained leadership.
Christology – concerning the Person of Christ
None! – How can the blessed Object of our worship be studied academically?
A Warning
This is no substitute for:
Reading, remembering the Holy Scriptures (see 2 Tim 3:15)
Knowing that your sins are forgiven and rejoicing in the Saviour (see 1 John 2:12)
Awaiting our Lord’s return with a heart aglow (see 2 Peter 1:19)
Enjoying a wonderful relationship with one another, with he Lord’s presence when two or three are gathered to His Name (see Matt 18:20)
Worshipping our great ‘God and Saviour Jesus Christ’ (Titus 2:13 Darby and others)
Has the church failed in its responsibility? Has the Christian religion broken down? Has Christianity failed as a witness, a steward, and a light-bearer for Christ in this world? 99% of Christians look at Christendom as a splendid success. Christendom will claim that, like the rider on the white horse, the gospel has gone forth to conquer, and achieved many glorious triumphs. Church people look back to the opening of the fourth century as a glorious epoch when persecution ceased, and Constantine adopted Christianity. They claim Christendom has gone on increasing in brightness from that day until now.
CHM said that he was thoroughly persuaded that Scripture did not support those who hold this view. all support this. Paul’s farewell address to the elders of Ephesus and his closing ministry in the letters to Timothy prove the anticipated ruin of the church in its earthly service and testimony. Peter and Jude, as well as the parables of the leaven, the tares, the mustard tree and the ten virgins, confirm this too.
The seven churches in Revelation indicate the phases of the church’s history, leading to its present Laodicean state. Lift up your eyes: look upon Christendom: say if you can trace a single feature of resemblance to the church as presented in the New Testament.
The One Body
Where is the one body? Suppose a letter was addressed, “To the church of God in London;”. To whom should it be delivered? Who could claim it? The church of Rome might, but not truthfully. The established Church of England would not claim it, but an uninstructed postman would probably deliver it there by default. None of the sects and parties into which Christian profession is divided, could rightly to call at the post-office and demand the letter: not one of them is the church of God (even if some have such a name). We must admit that Christendom, far from being a splendid success, has proved to be a most deplorable and humiliating failure.
The history of the church is one of failure and ruin, sin and judgment: all human efforts to mend or remodel must prove as utterly vain and hopeless as building the tower of Babel. Look at our own bodies: Can they be restored? They must die or be changed; never reconstructed. God will give us bodies of glory; He will never patch up bodies of sin and death.
The True Church vs. the Profession
Christ, blessed be His Name, will present the true church to Himself, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing (see Eph 5:27). That glorious body will be seen descending from heaven, like a bride adorned for her husband, shining in all the brightness of the glory of God and the Lamb. But for the false, faithless and corrupt church – that vast mass of baptised profession which calls itself Christian, nothing remains but the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God – the lake of fire – the blackness of darkness forever.
What must we do? We have learnt that the church is a ruin, and that it is not God’s purpose to restore it. Instead of asking, ‘What is to be done?’, let us be truly broken and penitent before our God, and cast ourselves on His rich mercy and sovereign goodness. Though He will never reconstruct a fallen church on earth, God will sustain, feed, strengthen and encourage all those who humbly rely on His faithfulness and love. It will be our privilege to tread a holy path and enjoy communion as the disciples knew it in the early days of this dispensation. May we make the church’s sin our own, and put away from us any proud pretension and futile effort to set up another church of our own devising and workmanship.
God’s Standard
Unfortunately, there is a constant tendency to lower the standard of devotedness to the level of the general condition of things publicly. It is destructive of all service and testimony, and we must guard against this. In 2 Timothy 2: 19 it says, ‘The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity’. God is faithful: His standard remains the same. His foundation can never be moved; and it is the privilege of the individual believer to rest on that foundation and abide by God’s standard, come what may. Faith can count on God, and draw upon His inexhaustible resources, despite the hopeless public ruin. Were it not so, what would have become of the faithful through the ages?
Take as an example the golden calf. Aaron made it, but it was blatant idolatry. Moses insisted that Jehovah and the golden calf could not reside together. If a calf was in the camp, Jehovah must be outside – such was the simple reasoning of faith (faith always reasons aright). When the public body is totally awry, the path of individual faith is outside it. The call is to depart from iniquity. ‘Every one which sought the Lord’(Ex 33:7) had to go outside of the defiled place to find Him: they even had to leave the camp of Israel, the place Jehovah had taken up His abode.
Elijah is another example. The ten tribes had been broken off from the two, and Israel’s visible unity was gone. But ‘Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the Word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name. And with the stones he built an altar in the Name of the Lord’(1 Kings 18: 31). Elijah confesses the indissoluble unity of Israel’s twelve tribes in the presence of Ahab, Jezebel and eight hundred false prophets. It could have been said that this was not the time for an altar of twelve stones, the day for that was gone . However, God’s standard remained. ‘For ever,O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven’(Ps 119:89). We must maintain the eternal stability of the truth of God, even if that truth exposes our fallen condition. Faith takes its stand on God’s own ground, acting according to the integrity of divine revelation.
The Authority of the Holy Scriptures
If there is one feature of the present moment more deplorable than another, it is the loose way in which the truth of God is held: there is a strong tendency to lower the standard of obedience. It is deemed narrow-minded to insist on the paramount authority of the Holy Scriptures. The Word of God is fast losing its place in the hearts and minds of professing Christians. The motto, ‘The Bible, and the Bible alone is the religion of Protestants[*]’, if it ever was true -is certainly not true now. There is a most determined effort in the media and the pulpit, to dispense with the Word of God as a paramount infallible authority. This is not an over-statement. [Has it not gone much further in the 21stcentury, where quoting the scriptures, especially as to sexual morality, brings out allegations of criminal hatred? – and the iniquitous agenda of the liberal gay rights movement is being endorsed by the Established Church and promoted in Christian schools.]
Mackintosh was thoroughly persuaded that the professing church is hastening on to a fearful moment in her history, in the which she will utterly reject the Word, the Christ, and the Spirit of God. Ignorance, superstition and impudent infidelity are fast gaining sway over the minds of millions. Towards the close of the nineteenth century, millions professed their deluded belief in an immaculate woman (Mary) and an infallible man (the Pope).[†] At the same time, they audaciously tampered with the Word of God, with blasphemous assaults on the Person of the Son of God.
Our Call
Does this not make us prize, all the more, the faith and faithfulness of those worthies, who stood in the face of a hostile world, and boldly maintained the truth of God, despite of the palpable ruin and failure of the that which publicly espoused Christ’s Name. Like Elijah before the prophets, and Moses going out of the camp, there is a blessed platform of faith on which each true believer can take his or her stand, in calm and holy confidence, and there abide with God.
[*]Attributed to William Chillingworth (1602–1644)
[†]Immaculate conception – Pope Pius IX 1854 and the assumption of Mary – Pope Pius XII 1950; Papal infallibility – First Vatican Council 1868
…”the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matt 13:46). It is a merchant, a man who knows his business. He is seeking goodly pearls, something that is not spurious. It says,”when he had found one pearl,” not a string of pearls, one pearl of great price. It speaks of the peculiar beauty that attaches to the assembly as having but one object for her affections. It is the beauty of undivided affection for Christ. That was of great value in the Lord’s sight…and He was prepared to surrender all that was His legitimately with a view to securing this one object of His affections. Think of what joy it was to the Lord to live here as a Man ministering to the heart of God every day of His life, and conscious of His pleasure! Yet He would surrender that—He would go down into death for the sake of the pearl.
Last Lord’s Day the Lord took our brother Mark Lemon of Sevenoaks to be with Himself. Many readers will have known Mark, not least as editor of the magazine ‘
Thinking about the above, last week we had a meeting for ministry meeting and I was moved to give a word on what constitutes a good local assembly:
At a discussion about ‘A Day of Small Things’ with a few friends, the suggestion was made that there should be an introduction to a little basic theology. This is a subject many like myself have steered clear of, even regarding the term as a dirty word, and for very good reason.
