IN WHICH POWER IS YOUR TRUST?
By S.
The German emperor, as head of the State Churches of Germany, is strongly advocating a confederation of these various churches. There are forty-eight such churches in that country. Altho State Churches, they each have their individual and independent organizations. It is thought by many, and the emperor is one such, that by uniting the Protestant organizations under one head, they could present a more solid front to the world, and thus develop and defend the common principles of Protestantism, in one numerically strong and powerful organization. This one organization could be more easily influenced and led by the one head, the emperor. As there is no indication of a separation of Church and State in Germany, many believe that this will be the best possible move for strengthening the position of the Protestant Church in that country; and it is quite likely that the movement will increase in strength until the object is accomplished. The same movement, virtually, is going on in this country, the movement for the federation of Protestant denominations. The movement here has the same object in view, a concentration of power and influence, to “present a more formidable front to the world,” or at least to be in such a condition that it can be more easily wielded by a few leaders in bringing about any desired object. It is not to make a united effort to seek God, and get upon higher spiritual grounds; it is not a united seeking of power to convince the world of sin; but to present a formidable front. It is always the policy of military commanders to arrange their forces in such a way as to present a formidable front to the enemy. But Christ did not come into the world to kill and crush, and force men into this or that. He did not come to present a formidable, forbidding, fearsome front to men. His “take My yoke upon you and learn of Me,” is a gracious invitation, not a harsh command given with glowering face. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” are the words of Jesus. There is nothing formidable about them. He who goes through this world presenting a “formidable front” is not going in the Spirit or the power of Jesus Christ. “Not by might [as an army, margin], nor by power [or force], but by My Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.” Zech. 4:6. This is the Lord’s own instruction regarding how His work shall be carried on in this earth. He also tells His servant Zerubbabel that he is to accomplish the Lord’s work by proclaiming, “Grace, grace.” Verse 7. There is nothing formidable about such a work. “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come; he that will, let him take the water of life freely.” This is the spirit and the characteristic of the true work of God—a winning work and not a forcing or formidable one. True, the spirit of confederacy among denominations is in the air at the present time. It is strongly manifest both among German Protestants and American Protestants, and the more strongly it is manifest the greater becomes the dearth of real spirituality in the churches. The Lord has foreseen and foretold this, and so He warns His children not to take part in it. “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be dismayed.” Isa. 8:12. The people are now saying, A confederacy. The cry for it will be louder and more persistent and insistent until the thing is done; but they who are God’s children in deed and in truth will have no part in that faithless work. That work is done through fear and dread of the work of an opposing religious body. But the Lord says upon this point directly, “Jehovah of hosts, Him shall ye sanctify; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” Isa. 8:13. There is no need for us to fear the fears of the world; for God has promised power to overcome in every trial of our faith. To confederate on worldly lines to protect ourselves from the world is to show a lack of faith and trust in God, and look to the human arm instead of to the divine for the strength and protection which we need. In other words, in whose power shall we trust, man’s or God’s? Each must answer for himself, and there is no neutral ground. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”