Christian Union by I. K. Lombard

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jul 22, 1875

Christian Union.

By I. K. Lombard

I READ more than usual in our late papers about "sectarianism," "sectarian parties," "sectarian names," etc., with occasional allusions to "union in Christ," union of the various churches, etc., as a prospective relief from sectarianism. I should not think the matter worthy of notice, if some of the allusions to "sectarianism," etc., did not seem directed against our zeal for the truth. It has ever been Satan's policy to brand the truth with the name of "heresy," and the love of it with the charge of "sectarianism." It is bad enough to see opposition to the truth from those who never knew its worth; but when brethren take up Satan's weapons and use them in his service against the truth, it is time that the lovers of the truth speak out in its defence against such ungenerous thrusts.

There is probably nothing connected with our duty as Christians more generally and plausibly counterfeited than Christian union. Many are the devices of Satan on this point; and I wish that some of our brethren, who seem to be ensnared, were able to say with Paul, "We are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Cor. 2:11. The arch deceiver would fain have us believe that a union of all professed Christians would be Christian union, and a great blessing to the cause of God; and that we had better compromise every principle and doctrine endeared to us as "present truth" for the sake of such a union, than to sacrifice their good will and have division perpetuated for the truth's sake.

We have had one such amalgamation in the rise of the Catholic church, and Heaven knows that one such monster is enough. I have no fears that the short time intervening before the end of all things will admit of such a development by a union of the various Protestant churches; but there is a principle at work in the interest of this project which deserves attention, as it has been an influence against the truth more or less active at all times. I refer to a disposition to compromise our zeal for the truth of God for the sake of fellowship with those who have no relish for the truth.

There is a wide difference between Christian union and a union of professors of religion under the name of Christian union. In the former, the Christian sacrifices no principle for union's sake, for the principles of all true Christians are essentially the same; but in the latter he compromises everything that is sacred by amalgamating it with error and worldliness, as though all the elements were common stock and of a common value. He cannot make prominent what is offensive to the majority, and must therefore become a party to smothering the truth, if he does not actually join with them in denouncing it as "heresy." If a man can be found among the lovers of the truth base enough to barter away his honest convictions for the sake of union with worldly, backslidden professors, he is just the man who can be spared without loss to the body of true believers. It is not a wonder nor a misfortune to the cause of God that those in her service who can put their principles and honest convictions into the market to be sold to the highest bidder, should feel ill at ease with the lovers of the truth, and should seek their level somewhere else.

But no true Christian will violate his conscience, nor ask such a base thing of another as the price of fellowship. True Christian union cannot exist without full confidence in each other's integrity and sincerity, as its foundation. So if one is willing to barter his principles and honest convictions for the sake of fellowship, he is virtually trampling upon Christian principle to obtain Christian union. But a fellowship obtained at such a fearful price is not Christian union, but a counterfeit. Any union or temporary association that requires a man to sacrifice his love of truth as a price of association is not Christian union, however cordial it may be.

Christian union is a union of Christians—true, real Christians, and none but Christians. Others may be associated with them, but they do not enjoy the union. They do not drink into the one spirit, nor are they baptized by one spirit into one body, though their cooperation may be cordial and well meant. The union of true Christians is not deliberate, mutual compact, either verbal or written; but a spontaneous flowing together of hearts, like two drops of water. It finds its cause and commencement in the individual union of each member with Christ. Christians do not seek to be united with each other, nor feel that they ought to be united with each other; but they are united in heart and spirit with all who are united to Christ. Nothing is more spontaneous and free. It commences with their union with Christ, extends to all in fellowship with him, exists as long as this fellowship continues, and ends when they backslide from him.

Since, then, Christian union spontaneously flows from our union with Christ, it cannot be found with those who were never united with him. Since, also, it depends upon our union with him, and ceases when we backslide from him, no backslider is in possession of it, and no company of backsliders, however mutual or cordial their union, can be said to live in Christian union.

It cannot exist with the love of the world. John says, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15. James says: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore is a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4. Both of these passages agree in sentiment, and they are too explicit to leave room for a doubt as to their import. But as truly as "by their fruits ye shall know them," we may settle it that seven-eighths of the professors of religion are without the God of God, and are "adulterers" in his sight.

It cannot be found with covetousness. There is no question but seven-eighths of the professed Christians are covetous, both preachers and people. It has ceased to be a sin in their eyes, and especially if they do a fair thing in the way of supporting the church. But Paul has repeatedly declared that covetousness is idolatry. We must therefore come to the conclusion, that either Paul is mistaken, or that the mass of the professors of religion are idolaters in God's sight. Another proof of idolatry in them is found in the remark of Paul: "Neither be idolaters as some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 1 Cor. 10:7. If it was idolatry for the Israelites to eat and drink, and rise up to play, what shall we think of the proceedings of the churches all over the land in their oyster suppers, festivals, and other sprees, so frequent in these days? Is it any less idolatry when done under the light of the gospel, than it was in the wilderness? Paul says "these things . . . are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

It cannot be found with those who scoff at the Lord's coming, or treat it with indifference. Christ says, "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching." Luke 12:35-37. Paul says, "Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, without sin, unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. In another place, Paul tells us the crown is to be given "unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim. 4:8. Here we have looking for him, waiting, watching, and loving his appearing, as the proper attitude of the church in relation to the coming of Christ. But any one who has preached the coming of the Lord in these days has learned that professors of religion are more prejudiced against it than those who make no pretensions to religion. The mass of professors of religion have departed as fearfully on this point as on the others considered.

Another feature which bears prominently on Christian character in our day is a discernment of the signs of the times. Christ says of our day, that it shall be as it was in the days of Noah. Matt. 24:37-39. We read of Noah's day, "the wickedness of man was great in the earth." Gen. 6:5. Daniel says of our days, "The wicked shall do wickedly." Dan. 12:10. The prophet Joel says of the same time, "Their wickedness is great." Joel 3:13. Paul says that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse." 2 Tim. 3:12. These are a sample of the Scripture testimonies concerning the last days; and if we read the records of our day, in all parts of the world, we find these predictions verified fully. Men of the world see these things, and are wondering with alarm as to what is coming. But professors of religion blindly pretend that the world is growing better all the time. Those who are taught of God ought to view the increase of crime with more abhorrence than the world. But in our day the world view these things with serious alarm, while the popular professors blindly pass on with indifference, without eyes to see, ears to hear, or hearts to confess these things so plainly pointed out in the word of God.

With the popular professors, an interest in the signs of Christ's coming is heresy; and a claim that we can tell something by the signs which Christ has given of his coming is insanity, if not blasphemy. Though signs be hung out in the heavens above, in the earth beneath, in the state of the nations, in the state of society and of religion, still they have no eyes to see, no ears to hear, no heart to receive these things. Well, as Paul said of them, "They will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. They would spurn with contempt a proposal to have the Lord's coming and the signs of the times preached in their houses of worship; but are constantly using them by their own appointment for oyster suppers, festivals levees, sociables, and other church sprees; where all sorts of worldly pleasure, and even gambling, is carried on by their arrangements and for their benefit.

Such is the religious character and usual course of the mass of professors of religion in our day; and these things are well known to those brethren whose sympathies incline toward them. Do they expect Christian union with such people? Do they love those who despise the truths especially designed in Divine wisdom for this judgment-bound generation, more than those who carry them to their unwelcome ears? Will they smother these truths, and discourage their prominence, that they may win the smiles of those who despise these solemn warnings? Did God ever call such to warn the world of approaching judgment? If so, who has countermanded the order? Under whose authority do they now act in smothering and trifling with these things? May the Lord pity those who are sighing for the leeks and the onions of Egypt; whose hearts incline to the broad way as more inviting than the narrow way that leads to life. Oh! that such might be terribly shaken, if need be, before they take the fatal leap.

Where are the faithful Jeremiahs to warn the world of her approaching doom? Men that can neither be bought nor sold; whose consciences cannot be swerved like India rubber to suit their situation? Where are the men of backbone, of moral courage, who dare believe the truth, and the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and are willing to share the reproaches which are cast upon the truth and count it all joy? Oh! for more men in God's cause, who cannot be bribed by smiles, wheedled by flatteries, nor intimidated by frowns to put God's truth into the background. Where are those who dare cry aloud, and spare not, but will show the people their sins and their dangers—men who will sound the alarm to this judgment-bound generation, and will lift up their voice like a trumpet, whether men will hear or forbear? It is time that we all awake to our dangers and harness ourselves for the fierce struggle with error which is just upon us. I pray God that we may all see our duty, and do it bravely, like men of God.—I. K. LOMBARD, in Crisis.