p. 16 | The Church Visible by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 24, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 47.

“The Church Visible.”

By W. N. G.

That which is visible is that which is seen by the natural eye, at least such is the evident thought in the following expression of a religious journal. It matters not what denomination the journal represents, as every one who belongs to any organized church will indorse it:—

“The church visible is the divinely ordained means for the advancement and consummation of the kingdom of God. To fight against the visible organized church is to fight against God. The more people we have in this world who are too liberal and too heavenly-minded to be members of, or take any interest in, the visible church, composed of men and women in the flesh, the worse off the world is.”

But the great majority of people who will indorse that principle will draw the line at the law of God, especially at the fourth commandment. They tell us that the law is only to be kept in spirit, that we can not keep it in the letter. But the outward observance of the law, not excepting the literal observance of the Sabbath enjoined in the law, is that which is visible. The spirituality of the man is known only by his visible acts. There can be no such thing as obeying either the law or the Gospel in spirit and not in the letter, or visibly. James 2:18. Therefore those who contend for recognition of the visible church must, in all consistency, admit that a genuine obedience of the law of God must include a practical, visible obedience. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:16. What else could a visible church be for but to lift up Christ by practical, visible godliness,—to show the example of Him who said by His prophet, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8)? If the law is in the heart, it will come out in practical life. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matt. 12:34. “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46.

W. N. G.