p. 3 | The Need of the Christian Church by W. R. Carswell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

The Need of the Christian Church

By W. R. Carswell

W. R. CARSWELL

“EXAMINE yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Cor. 13: 5. In these words is presented the great need of the Christian church, and therefore of every one who takes on him the sacred name of Christ.

The scripture quoted does not say, “Examine your brethren and sisters,” but, “Examine yourselves.” There is a vast difference. We usually do not watch our own motives, words, and actions very closely, but we are quick to detect the shortcomings of others. Our text calls for a reversal of all this. In this change is our safety. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” 1 Cor. 11: 31. Now, in the judgment hour, God sits “as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Mal. 3: 3. Either we must submit to the removal of the dross of sin, or we ourselves shall be separated from the church, which is the body of Christ. Thus only can he present to himself “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5: 27. Brethren, let us examine ourselves.

The True Witness

The testimony of the True Witness shows us the need of just such a work of self-examination. It is his message to his church in the last period of its history. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev. 3: 17, 18. As we do not know our need, according to the Saviour’s testimony, how important it is that we should examine ourselves. When this is done with sincerity of heart, the injunction of our loving Saviour will be heeded: “Be zealous therefore, and repent.”

When our eyes are opened by the eyesalve of the Holy Spirit’s bestowing, there will be no more a thought like the prayer of the Pharisee, “I thank thee, that I am not as other men,” but the contrite, humble prayer, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Then, too, the humbled soul will exclaim, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1: 15. Like Daniel, we shall be ready to join in the prayer, “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: neither have we harkened unto thy servants the prophets,” etc. Dan. 9: 5, 6. With Nehemiah also we may truthfully say, “Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor harkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.” Neh. 9: 34. Is it not a sin, which nearly all deplore, that we have not heeded the testimonies of the Holy Spirit as we should? At the time when God was calling his people out of Babylon and the land of their captivity, how few heeded the precious promises given by the prophets from the Lord, and prepared to return to the goodly land! Now the Lord is setting his hand again, “the second time to recover the remnant of his people” (Isa. 11: 11), and we are acting as foolishly as did ancient Israel. Pride, unbelief, and self-confidence will shut many out from the heavenly Canaan. Even among men in responsible places there are those who have not learned to “have no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3: 3), and “to walk humbly” with their God. Micah 6: 8. While the Lord Jesus is still ready to impart “repentance to Israel” (Acts 5: 31), let us use in earnest the “weapons of our warfare” which he has provided. With these we can subdue the strongholds of the enemy, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10: 4, 5. Brethren, let us take hold of the strength of the Lord, that we may make peace with him, remembering that God can dwell with no mortal who is not “of a contrite and humble spirit.” Isa. 57: 15. With such he will abide with eternal blessing.