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Development Of Christ-Likeness
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the Household of Faith."—Ga 6:10.
Development of character-likeness to
our Lord Jesus Christ is the first duty of every consecrated child of God.
"Hereunto we were called," as the Apostle suggests, not especially to
do something for somebody else, but especially to develop our own individual
character—to fight a good fight, to lay hold on eternal life, to get the
blessings which God has invited us to have. Nothing that we can possibly do for
others should be considered as appropriate for taking the place of the work
which He has given us to do for ourselves individually.
Apparently many good people make a mistake along this line. We see the great
institutions of the various denominations arranging for the world’s conversion
and entertainment, but at the same time there is a lamentable neglect to
provide for their own growth in grace and in knowledge of the Word of God. All
this is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. What God’s people are to do for
the world is to be merely secondary, merely what opportunity may offer. Their
chief work is to be for themselves. It is important that we get this thought
well grounded in our minds. Otherwise it might be with us as St. Paul points
out—that while preaching to others, we might ourselves become castaways.—1Co
9:27.
But while we are developing ourselves, and while assured by the Scriptures that
in due time we shall reap if we faint not, there is, nevertheless, something we
can do beyond ourselves. As we have opportunity, we may do good to anybody, to
everybody. These opportunities
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are various. But in choosing what we shall do, we should remember the Apostle’s
injunction, "As we have opportunity, therefore, let us do good unto all
men, especially unto them that are of the Household of Faith."
To our understanding, the Household of Faith is composed of those who have
"the faith once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3.) To accept that
faith means much more than to say, "Good Master, what good thing shall I
do?" It means that one who has the faith as set forth in the Word of God
would take the steps which the Master indicated as necessary for membership in
the Household. Therefore there are a great many people who have not entered the
Lord’s Household at all. The Master did not say, "If you wish to be
numbered amongst My disciples, you may do thus; or, if you prefer, you may do
so-and-so." On the contrary, He said, "If any man will come after Me,
let Him deny Himself, take up his cross, and FOLLOW ME."—Mt 16:24.
Addressing the Household of Faith, St. Paul declared, "Ye are called in
ONE HOPE of your calling." (Eph 4:4.) The invitation given to the Church
of the Gospel Age was but one invitation; and those who accepted it are
declared to be a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People. (1Pe 2:9.)
We learn, however, from other Scriptures that amongst those who accept the
invitation and consecrate themselves to God there are two classes, the Little
Flock, and the Great Company, the antitypical Priests and Levites. The one
class faithfully perform their consecration vow. The other class lose their
first love in a measure. While they do not become enemies of God, they live an
indifferent life.
They are not overcomers. Although they serve in many ways, and although on the
whole they are good people, yet they do not come up to the standard set for
admission into the priestly class. Therefore they will not have an abundant
entrance into the Messianic Kingdom, but must "wash their robes and make
them white in the blood of
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the Lamb"; for to some degree they have been derelict. (Re 7:9-11.) They
will constitute the antitypical Levite class, who will have a future service to
perform in connection with the Royal Priesthood.
WHO CONSTITUTE THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH?
In seeking for opportunities of service, the Lord’s people are to recognize
that they are to discriminate in favor of the Household of Faith rather than
the world of mankind. Whatever time we do not need for ourselves should be used
in connection with the members of the Household of Faith. Should any one ask,
"Why should you not give all your time to those who are not of that
Household? Why should you not do slum work, etc.?" we reply that those who
are engaged in such work are a class who do not understand the Divine Plan. We
are not finding fault with them, however; for we sympathize with everything
that makes for human uplift.
But first of all should be our own personal uplift; and next should be our work
for the Household of Faith.
The reason this order of procedure should be followed, is that God Himself is
dealing only with that Household at this time.
Those who are doing slum work, etc., have the thought in mind that God is
dealing with mankind in general now, and that now is the world’s only
opportunity for getting eternal life. With the erroneous thought that mankind
are in danger of eternal torment, this class feel that they are doing right to
neglect themselves and everything else in order to do this work amongst the
degraded. If they had the knowledge of God’s plans which the Bible gives, they
would know that the Lord is not now dealing with the world, but only with the
Household of Faith.
This statement is in harmony with the words of Jesus, who prayed not for the
world, but for those whom the Father had given Him. (#Joh 17:20,21.) Those who
came from the sinner class He received—those who had
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an ear to hear His message. Whoever accepted that message was treated as a
member of the Household of Faith. To such our Lord ministered especially, even
neglecting His own temporal interests to do so. We may be sure, however, that
He never neglected His own spiritual needs; for the development of Himself as a
New Creature was His first obligation—as it is our first consideration.—2Pe
1:4-11; 3:18.
In the strictest sense of the word, the Household of Faith is the Family of
God; those who have offered their bodies to God in sacrifice and have been
accepted by Him and have been begotten of His Holy Spirit. All such belong to
God’s Family. Some of them are making good progress, growing strong, tall,
broad; others are merely "babes in Christ." We might, however, make a
distinction between the Household of God and the Household of Faith. The latter
seems to be a broader term which includes those who are drawing near to
"the faith once delivered to the saints" and are seeking to attain
it; those who are prospective members of the Family of God, who will finally
become so strong in faith and zeal that they will render a reasonable service
and will present their bodies as living sacrifices, "holy, acceptable to
God."—Ro 12:1.
We perceive this to be the proper course for development in character-likeness
to Christ. First, we are to make our own calling and election sure by
cultivating all the fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit; then we are to keep on
the alert to note and to gladly avail ourselves of all opportunities in the
service of God which in His providence are opened up to us. These we are to use
primarily in favor of the necessities of the Household of Faith, and then on
behalf of anybody and everybody who may need assistance. The helping of those
in need does not mean, however, that we should give them luxurious things or
enough to last them the remainder of life, but that we should give them enough
to assist them
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through their stress—a coat, a hat, a dress—whatever we could spare that they
might need. If we see anyone who apparently is in condition to have the eyes of
his understanding opened to the Truth of God’s Word, we might well consider it
a good opportunity for us to assist him. Thus we might neglect our temporal
interests and spare the time to help such a person. But under no conditions
should we neglect our own spiritual growth.
"STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED
UNTO GOD"
In order to grow in the fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit, it is necessary
that we study the Word of God.
Furthermore, since we have the treasure of the new mind in earthen vessels that
are leaky by nature, it is necessary that we study continually. No true
Christian, therefore, would think for a moment of ceasing to study the Word,
whether by direct reading of the Bible or by reading THE STUDIES IN THE
SCRIPTURES, which put the Word of God into a form especially arranged for
topical study.
A certain amount of spiritual refreshment comes also in connection with the
morning hymn, the Manna text and the Vow. This refreshment we recommend to be
partaken of every morning before breakfast—if possible as a family; if not,
then individually. A few minutes spent in thinking of Heavenly things, in
returning thanks to God and in singing a song of praise should result very
profitably spiritually. In some way the Lord’s people should keep in touch with
His Word continually; otherwise the New Creature life will wither.
There is also another kind of study which seems to be overlooked, even by those
who study His Word faithfully.
The study to which we now refer should be in progress from the moment when we
awaken in the morning until we fall asleep at night. We should continually
study to apply what we already know respecting God, respecting the Bible,
respecting His will, respecting our duty toward others and toward ourselves,
respecting the
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Golden Rule, etc. In other words, every Christian should daily, hourly,
continually, be studying more and more how to put off anger, malice, hatred,
envy, strife, evil-speaking, and all other works of the fallen flesh and of the
Adversary; and with equal perseverance he should be studying diligently how to
put on the graces of the Holy Spirit—meekness, gentleness, patience,
long-suffering, brotherly-kindness, love.
All of the Bible, all that we learn respecting it, all the lessons taught us by
Divine providences, and all the advantages we receive from fellowship with the
brethren—all these are merely preparations for the great study of life—how best
to perform the will of God in thought, word and deed. We emphasize this kind of
study for the reason that we perceive that many of the Lord’s people do not
understand the matter. They seem to think that their spirituality depends upon
the number of hours which they spend in Bible study. Thus they are grasping
only a fraction of the Truth. The great blessings come from our efforts to
apply the principles which we have already learned from the Bible. This study
requires, not that we should have our Bibles ever in hand, but that we should
continually bear in mind the things which we have already studied from God’s
Word, in order to make practical application of them in the affairs of life, in
our thoughts, words and doings toward God, toward our fellowmen, toward
ourselves.
If to the right or left I stray,
That moment, Lord, reprove; And let Thy goodness chase away All hindrance to
Thy love.
Oh, may the least omission pain My well-instructed soul, And send me to the
blood again, Which makes and keeps me whole.
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