Amen, amen, and amen!! Jesus' work is to recreate us in His image, and this He will do if we will spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating His life (character), for by beholding His grace, our hearts are surrendered and we are transformed into His image (character). "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.
I was greatly impressed that what happened in Jesus' day, will also happen in our day. Was John called by the Sanhedron? No. How was he received by the leaders in Israel? Was the priesthood established by God? Yes, it was. But, man has no power over other men, to direct their actions. God calls man, the church does not. The church is to recognize God's calling. Often it has not done a very good job. We see this today when the news reveals a crime has been done by a church leader, or the truth has been rejected by church leaders.
God has an organized church. That does not mean the organized church is walking in the light of God's love and grace. The church remains in a Laodicean condition, as such, their is much wrong in the church. All can see this no matter what side they stand on. Thus, it may be that the Holy Spirit will move upon honest souls that are not in the organized church ministry (denominational workers). How are church leaders to respond? How are church members to look upon those called of God, but not in church employment?
John had not recognized the authority of the Sanhedrin by seeking their sanction for his work; and he had reproved rulers and people, Pharisees and Sadducees alike. Yet the people followed him eagerly. The interest in his work seemed to be continually increasing. Though he had not deferred to them, the Sanhedrin accounted that, as a public teacher, he was under their jurisdiction.
Why the battle then, and today?
".....their power over the people was waning. It was becoming a serious question how to maintain their position."
And, there is another battle soon to come. We live in the very last days of this Earth's history. Soon, very soon, there will be angry men who think themselves the protector of Christianity, the true religion. They teach the wrong commandment, and when they are faced with a small group who are unwilling to accept their false commandment, and cannot sustain their teaching from Scripture, they too will lose their authority with all who put their faith in Scripture and the author of Scripture. Will they just sit back and accept their loss of authority? No, they will turn to the state to enforce their apostate teaching. Thus Babylon will attempt to force the conscience of all to follow national Sunday laws all around the world.
Some of our leading men are inclined to indulge the spirit manifested by the apostle John when he said: “Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.” Organization and discipline are essential, but there is now very great danger of a departure from the simplicity of the gospel of Christ. What we need is less dependence upon mere form and ceremony, and far more of the power of true godliness. If their life and character are exemplary, let all work who will, in any capacity. Although they may not conform exactly to your methods, not a word should be spoken to condemn or discourage them. When the Pharisees desired Jesus to silence the children who sang His praise, the Saviour said: “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Prophecy must be fulfilled. So in these days, the work must be done. There are many departments of labor; let everyone act a part as best he can. The man with one talent is not to bury that in the earth. God has given to every man his work according to his ability. Those to whom larger trusts and capabilities have been committed should not endeavor to silence others who are less able or experienced. Men with one talent may reach a class that those with two or five talents cannot approach. Great and small alike are chosen vessels to bear the water of life to thirsting souls. Let not those who preach the word lay their hands upon the humblest worker and say: “You must labor in this channel or not work at all.” Hands off, brethren. Let everyone work in his own sphere, with his own armor on, doing whatever he can do in his humble way. Strengthen his hands in the work. This is no time for pharisaism to control. Let God work through whom He will. The message must go.
All are to show their fidelity to God by the wise use of His entrusted capital, not in means alone, but in any endowment that will tend to the upbuilding of His kingdom. Satan will employ every possible device to prevent the truth from reaching those who are buried in error; but the voice of warning and entreaty must come to them. And while only a few are engaged in this work, thousands ought to be as much interested as they. God never designed that the lay members of the church should be excused from labor in His cause. “Go, labor in My vineyard,” is the Master’s command to each of His followers. As long as there are unconverted souls in the world, there should be the most active, earnest, zealous, determined effort for their salvation. Those who have received the light should seek to enlighten those who have it not. If the church members do not individually take hold of this work, then they show that they have no living connection with God. Their names are registered as slothful servants. Can you not discern the reason why there is no more spirituality in our churches? It is because you are not colaborers with Christ.
God has given to every man his work. Let us each wait on God, and He will teach us how to work and what work we are best adapted to perform. Yet none are to start out in an independent spirit to promulgate new theories. The workers should be in harmony with the truth and with their brethren. There should be counsel and co-operation. But they are not to feel that at every step they must wait to ask some higher officer if they may do this or that. Look not to man for guidance, but to the God of Israel.
The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most discouraging, forbidding circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us. 5T 462