THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH SURE.
By John G. Matteson
BY ELD. JOHN G. MATTESON. Text: “Nevertheless 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.” 2 Tim. 2:19. Christ died to save his people from their sins. He is our great example. His footsteps are found only in the path of virtue. He bids his disciples follow him. His voice is distinct from all other voices. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27, 28. The chief object of all Bible truth is to lead men to believe in Christ and follow him, thus preparing them for the kingdom of Heaven. In this direction, the apostle gives us excellent instruction in the chapter from which we have already quoted. Let us further listen attentively to his words. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:1–3. This epistle was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time. The time of his death was near. His noble life would soon be ended. He would be removed from the prison to the scaffold. But these facts did not seem to rest heavily on his mind. His lips uttered no complaints. No lamentations went forth from his pen. The burden that rested upon him was of a different nature. He had offered his life in the service of the gospel, and he desired greatly that this service should be continued after his death. For this reason, he instructed Timotheus carefully, and exhorted him with solemn earnestness before his departure. The apostle points out three things specially as necessary qualifications for those who should proclaim the gospel. 1. They must be faithful men. Where honesty and faithfulness are lacking, learning and ability strive in vain to promote the salvation of our fellow-men. 2. They must be able to teach others. No one can succeed in trying to teach unto others that which he never learned himself. But those who understand the truth and have some experience in the way of life can communicate some of this to others who have less. 3. They must endure hardness. Those only who will deny self and willingly suffer contempt and loss for the sake of Christ, can labor to advance the cause of truth. They must also be disentangled from those affairs in life which would hinder the work, like husbandmen who are bending all their ability to the work of bringing forth fruit from their farm, or soldiers who follow and obey their commander implicitly. Verses 4–6. “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” Verse 7. The servant of the Lord should not only be able to express his mind readily, but he needs to have some understanding in all the common affairs of life—a good degree of common sense. No calling is more difficult and responsible than that of a minister of the gospel of Christ. Yet no calling is more honorable if faithfully attended to. “They that be wise [margin, teachers; Danish, They that instruct others] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 12:3. Much wisdom from God is needed for this work. “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel. Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” 2 Tim. 2:8–10. The death and resurrection of Christ is the chief theme of the gospel. This we should always remember. Other truths may be important, but ought never to be used in such a way as to obscure this great truth. Paul proclaimed it. We must also proclaim it, until the coming of the Lord. For this the apostle willingly suffered trouble, and was weighed down with chains as an evil-doer. But he endured all things for the salvation of his fellow-men, that they might obtain eternal glory. Satan had raged with bitter hatred and persecution against the followers of Christ. When a large portion of the city of Rome was devoured by fire, the emperor Nero accused the Christians of being the cause of this calamity. The combined hatred of wicked men fell upon them. Thousands perished. Some were torn asunder by wild beasts. Others were consumed by fire, and served as torches to illuminate the sensual festivals of the cruel tyrant Nero. Their most active leader, Paul, was meanwhile bound as an evil-doer. The joy of the Christians was mingled with bitter elements. We might feel disposed to think that all these unfortunate circumstances would greatly hinder the advancement of the Christian religion. But the apostle testifies joyfully that “the word of God is not bound.” It is profitable to notice how the gospel was introduced and spread in the world. The founder of the Christian religion was brought up with a poor family. He worked at a humble trade most of his time on earth. He had a greater and more important mission to accomplish than any other public teacher who has appeared in the world. Yet he used only three years and a half for this wonderful work. The new doctrine should take the place of Judaism and overturn heathenism. It should be proclaimed among all the nations and tribes of the earth, and should continue unto the end of the world. He needed disciples who could receive instruction from him, and be able after his departure to propagate the Christian religion in the world. But he chose for his apostles only poor, unlearned fishermen, and he instructed them only three years and a half. Moses was forty years in Egypt, and was learned in all its wisdom. After that, he had forty years’ experience in the work and hardships of life. And still he had forty years left in which he instructed his disciples. It is not contrary to the common ways of life that such a man should gain many and have a great influence in the world. All other great men have taken a long time to perform a great work. But our Saviour performed the greatest work on earth among religious teachers, yet he did it all in a very short time. His example in this direction is most wonderful and unique. He had no human learning or education, no pecuniary means, no disciples but poor fishermen, and only three years and a half to instruct them and to build the foundation of Christianity. This leads us to ask, Why did our Saviour choose to use such humble instruments and so short a time? If he was the Son of God, the world was his own. Its learning and riches were all open to him. He might have used fifty or more years to instruct his disciples. Why, then, did he use such means? Only one reasonable answer can be returned to this question. His work was performed in this peculiar way that all coming generations might understand that this work is of the Lord; for no human wisdom or power could have accomplished anything great in such a manner. After the departure of Christ, the Christian religion was still propagated by weak instruments. The church of Christ did not number many mighty men, not many noble, not many wise men, after the flesh. Soon persecution set in. The kings of the earth and the rulers took counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed. The disciples of Christ had trial of cruel scourgings, yea, of bonds and imprisonments. They were slain with the sword and consumed by fire. The world used the best of its power and wisdom to crush those who were unlearned, and weak, and poor. Infidelity put on the mask of religion to do this the more effectually. Satan roared like a lion, and all his helpers roared with him, and satiated their terrible cruelty in streams of blood. Yet all this could not bind the word of God. It was only proclaimed with still greater power. The Lord suffered all this that the children of men might learn that true Christianity is the work of God, and that to him only belong all the praise and glory. “Nevertheless 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.” Verse 19. The foundation of God stands firm, although some may deny the Lord and his truth. And just as men affix a seal to every important document to prove it genuine, and to separate it from other documents, so the Lord has placed a clear and unmistakable seal on the sure foundation of his truth. This seal has two inscriptions. On the part of God is written, The Lord knoweth them that are his, and on the part of man, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Where this seal is lacking, either with a church, or with a single individual, their hope of eternal life is not built upon the sure foundation of God. Real life in Christ and communion with him lead men to depart from iniquity. “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Verses 20, 21. This is no doubt spoken of the members of the church. Some are true, like gold and silver; others are unfaithful, and cannot endure the fiery trial. Some live for the glory of God, but others are a disgrace, both to the truth and the people of God. When thus both good and bad vessels are together in one house, it is the duty of every Christian to keep himself pure from the corruptions about him. Yet this is no easy matter; for nothing can so easily influence us for evil as to live in the same house with those who depart from Christ. Neither is this the good pleasure of God. Yet it can seldom or never be avoided. Therefore this warning is of great importance, and a gracious promise is added to it. He who will keep himself pure from such people shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. “Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Verse 22. Young believers are exposed to many temptations which do not make such deep impressions on those who are older. Yet it is the will of God that they should flee from these, and by the grace of God gain victories over them. It is a great help in this direction to keep company with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” Verses 23–26. It is not our duty to meddle with all kinds of questions. But it is our duty to avoid all unnecessary questions—every thing that begets strife. In this direction, we need to learn from our Saviour, and to always be on our guard, considering what our conversation may lead us into. Not only ministers, but all Christians, should be gentle unto all men, able to endure hardness, ready to give a reason to every man that asks of the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear. We all need to gather knowledge from the word of God and in the way of Christian experience, and ought willingly to communicate of our small store to others who have less. But this must be done with meekness and humility. We need not think that we can give repentance unto our fellow-men. But we can labor in hope that “God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth,” after they have been instructed in meekness. We should not cherish the idea that every one who departs from the way of truth is lost without remedy. The Lord bids us labor for such wherever we find an opportunity, “that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil.” This encourages us to labor in hope—to sow the incorruptible seed of the gospel beside all waters. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccl. 11:6. Then we can leave the increase unto Him who only can open the heavenly fountains and water the seed in his season. Yet we170know that he who “soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Dear reader, may you learn to build on the sure foundation of God, and be sealed, both “with that Holy Spirit of promise,” and with that seal which God himself has placed on the foundation that “standeth sure:” “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”