| Christian Life and Doctrine | Decemeber 1966 |
Getting Ready to Move
“For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.” —II Corinthians 5:2
AT SOME time or another possibly many of us have asked ourselves, “Am I ready to die?” With the Christian this question might properly be rendered, “Am I ready to move?” Are we, as new creatures, preparing ourselves for the fulfillment of that “blessed hope,” when we shall be changed from this earthly home to our new home in heaven? (Titus 2:13) If called upon tomorrow to finish our earthly course, would we feel that we have “fought a good fight” to the best of our ability, and “kept the faith,” “having done all” we could in the service of our great Master?—II Tim. 4:6-8; Eph. 6:13
True, we don’t like to overestimate our faithfulness. However, we are admonished to continually view ourselves from the standpoint of the progress we are making. Jesus warned us along these lines, saying, “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”—Luke 21:34
This taking “heed to ourselves” should become more and more a part of our preparation to move. If we would judge ourselves, we would not need to be chastened as much by God; and by constant watchfulness we should attain the goal of perfect love. (I Cor. 11:31; Heb.12:8-11) In a great effort to keep us from reaching this goal of perfect love, Satan is devising most treacherous schemes in these last days. We are well-informed in The Scriptures of how he is trying to misdirect and change the minds of the true saints of God. Paul wrote, “For we are not ignorant of his devices.”—II Cor. 2:11
In Revelation 3:14-22 there is a message to our period in the history of the church. In this message Luke warmness is shown to be one of these deceptions. This coolness regarding the Lord is the result of too much ease and a feeling of self-reliance. The feeling of men today seems to be just such an attitude: “I have need of nothing.” Certainly for the world this is bad enough, but the Lord forewarns that this spirit can spread among the true church, and there its influence is doubly bad. Our Lord states, “I would thou wert cold or hot”; that is, that we should be either altogether against or completely for the Lord and the truth. When the Christian does fall into this condition of “having need of nothing” he becomes “wretched, … poor, … and naked” in the Lord’s eyes. Such a state is an abomination to our Heavenly Father, and anyone remaining in this attitude of heart is not appreciative of the Lord’s favor, and no longer worthy of it.
We have seen this in the nominal church systems, hence their being cast off from God’s favor. Their spirit has been, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” (Rev. 3:17) Thus, not valuing the spirit of Christ, the spirit of sacrifice, mystic Babylon fell from God’s favor and was “spewed out” of his mouth. Though we often apply this Laodicean message to the nominal church, it would be well for the true followers of Christ to take heed of its warnings as individuals. Such application will keep us from becoming Christians in name only. Because we are enjoying a level of existence and culture which is above the fondest dreams of man a hundred years ago, it is a constant warfare to stay close to the Lord and not let the peaceful skies of temporal prosperity take us away from our spiritual aspirations.
Persecution Changes
A query of possibly many of the “feet members” of the church has been, “Just how does the Lord view and judge us?” Whereas the Early Church had great trials of faith by both mental and physical persecutions, such trials are no longer prevalent among most of earth’s societies; in fact, many of the people today believe that “every religion has its good points.” Let us not be deceived by an absence of physical persecution! Though these outward demonstrations against the truth have ceased, for the most part, there are still trials, though they have changed in form. For “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”—II Tim. 3:12
The type of persecution is not mentioned, and it has changed. In the beginning of the Gospel Age there were trials of whippings, stonings, being burned at the stake, and even being thrown to the lions. But now we have come to a period where none of these are in effect. Just what, then is the test upon the church? Our adversary knows that human nature desires and craves ease and comfort. Here the test presents itself. Are we willing to sacrifice these natural and unsinful cravings the better to know and to serve our Heavenly Father? Do we let the atmosphere of worldly drunkenness and pleasure all about us take our minds from the service of the Lord? During such a period of comparatively favorable circumstances which the flesh loves to enjoy, are we willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow the Master?—Matt. 16:24
We might answer, “If ever called upon to be executed by a firing squad, for the sake of the truth, I would gladly face the guns rather than deny the Lord.” But when such exacting tests are not our lot, do we fulfill these heroic statements by the daily laying down of our lives serving the brethren and the truth? Do we use such precious times of rest and ease in preparing ourselves for the eventual move from our human existence to the divine? Though we sometimes wonder at the way Peter denied our Lord when asked if he knew him, let us beware lest we do likewise, denying him day by day in the neglect of little things.
Yes, the temptation to satisfy the flesh can be just as much a test of our faith as being forced to face a firing squad. For when we begin to put trust and confidence in ourselves and our temporal condition rather than in our Heavenly Father, the new creature is on dangerous ground.
In II Corinthians 5:6 Paul speaks of this fleshly satisfaction as being “at home in the body,” and shows that whenever we feel satisfied, or in harmony with conditions around us, we are “absent from the Lord.” If, as in our text, we are groaning and desiring to be “clothed upon” with our house “which is from heaven” we could not be fully satisfied with this present home, but be anxious to move. When we realize that we are but dust and this “earthly house of this tabernacle” is only a tool of the new creature, we can see why the Lord would not have us remain contented with a society in which fallen man delights. But, to the contrary, he would have us separate ourselves from the people of the land, and learn of his ways and do his will. We know that the Creator is not in harmony with “this present evil world,” therefore how could any of his new creation be in sympathy with it? (Gal. 1:4) We can see why the Apostle John admonishes us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.”—I John 2:15
Spiritual Building
As the world increases in population, and as families grow, the natural human desire is to stay in this life by preserving and protecting all the fleshly and earthly interests. This is noticed in advertisements such as, “Save for the Future of Your Child.” Air raid shelters and other normal means of self-preservation are all a part of the saving means invented by this generation. These things are not wrong, but we mention them to contrast the preparation the world makes for this life with that which the followers of Jesus make for their future life.
With the Christian the main thought is not how to save and protect this human life, but how to “spend and be spent” in the service of the Gospel; not how to plan to be saved from war, but how to die daily in the Christian’s warfare. Jesus summed up this thought when he said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”—Luke 9:24
This does not mean that we should expose ourselves to the destructive power of a bomb if and when it should be dropped, or never save enough money as a reasonable means of existence during times of unemployment, or for some other unforeseen need. But it does mean that the general spirit and motive of the world should not control the Christian’s thinking. The Christian, realizing the needs of the present time, should provide things needful and honest in the sight of all men, but his love should not be for these temporary, earthly interests. In a word, we might say the Christian does not build his life around this life, but builds and constructs this life around Christ. Paul certainly had this thought in mind when he said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”—Phil. 1:21
We haven’t seen our new home yet, but we can catch a glimpse of it as through a “glass, darkly [margin, Gr. in a riddle].” We know that eventually to live in this habitation of glory we need, in the meantime, to store up treasures in heaven. These treasures will be fully realized when we finish our earthly pilgrimage and reach that new country. There the place which Jesus promised to prepare will be awaiting us. (John 14:2,3) Yea, what a groaning desire we should have for this “most holy” condition!
A Moving Comparison
No doubt most of us have had to “pull up stakes” at some time in this life, and journey to a new place of abode. We might draw a crude and simple analogy from such an experience by comparing it with our spiritual experiences. In the world, when someone moves from one house to another, or to a new city, it sometimes indicates that there was some dissatisfaction with the environment. There is always some reason, business or otherwise, for leaving the old surroundings. Sometimes something occurs to stir up and encourage the idea of heading for a new location. It might be the lease expiring in the present place, or the building being demolished, or any reason that might encourage this desire for a change. But unless there is this desire or “call,” the person might become so immobile and stationary he would never want to move into a new community or neighborhood.
Certainly, as we look back at the beginning of our Christian walk, we can see a drawing toward the Lord. It could have been that the lease of life was short and almost up, enkindling a desire to know why we were placed here on earth and what our great Creator’s plan was for us and all who lost their lease on life through Adam. Or it could have been the frailties of the human body that caused us to crave a more perfect place of abode. The demoralization of the finer and nobler human qualities is often a great question among thinking people. But whatever the reasons prompting the desire for a change, we can be sure the Lord used these to draw us to himself. How glad we were when we learned of the place reserved for us in one of our Father’s mansions, if faithful!—John 14:1-4
As those who are born into pleasant surroundings and great wealth cannot appreciate them nearly as much as those who were brought up in more modest conditions and who, through industry and self-improvement, have risen to the highest level of human attainment; so too, the Christian who was born into a family of consecrated parents perhaps will not appreciate the truth as much as the one who has searched many years for the “pearl of great price.” This precious truth was certainly an incentive to move, and when we saw the “high calling” and what a wonderful selection the Lord has made for us to have a better home, there was great rejoicing! How grand the neighborhood and heritage the Lord has provided for his children!
Thus, when we were drawn and saw some of the length and breadth and height and depth of the love of God and Christ, we took a lease, as it were, on this new home. (Eph. 3:18,19) The condition of lease was a full consecration unto death, and the down payment was the sacrificing of this mortal body. (Rom. 12:1) We now have a deposit on our heavenly home, and God’s acceptance and terms of the lease are shown to us by the seal of the Holy Spirit.
Preparation
Though the terms are set and the covenant is sealed, we still cannot just walk into the new dwelling place and possess it without first thinking how we will furnish it. This calls for interior decoration. Our adviser is Jesus, and he sets forth what type of furnishings should be placed in the new home. We have full confidence in him, knowing that whatever he chooses for us is the right choice. Let us watch, however, that we always desire interior and not exterior decoration, which would be only the outward adornments of love, unselfishness, and humility. This type of decorating will be of no value on moving day. The Psalmist wrote, “The King’s daughter is all glorious within.” (Ps. 45:13) As we study and “learn of him” we find the most beautiful designs and patterns which will thoroughly furnish our characters for the kingdom home.
As often is the case when a new house is bought, new furnishings are also bought to match the style, so, too, it is with the new creation which is being prepared for a heavenly home. None of the old broken-down constitution from Adam’s posterity will be found in the “new city.” (Rev. 21:9-10) “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” (I Thess. 4:3) A setting apart and discarding of the old will is the only proper way to prepare ourselves for the great move. We soon realize that there are many possessions we have which will be of no value in the new home. Before we move, the fallen cravings, or “possessions,” of the flesh: lust, selfishness, envy, and all the rest of the “works of the flesh” must be “put away.”—Gal. 5:19-21
The preparation to move takes place during this lifetime, though in a sense we have already begun our journey from our old house. We should now be looking for and desiring “a better country” where we will find “a building of God, an house not made with hands.” (II Cor. 5:1; Heb. 11:16) In order to realize such desires we must think of the packing to be done. But instead of packing the old possessions, we fill our minds with the new furnishings which we buy to match the new home.
If we were to move some material belongings of great value, such as an expensive painting or chinaware, we would pack it very well and protect it from any damaging or jarring action. So, we might ask ourselves, Are we as concerned with our priceless spiritual goods as we are with many of our material belongings? Do we watch and pray lest we enter into some jarring temptation which might damage the fruits of the Spirit? Do we wrap and keep ourselves in the love of God? How careful we should be! Remembering Jesus’ promise: “He that keepeth my Word to the end shall be saved,” let us consider the things relating to the new mind with the greatest concern until finally we reach our destination beyond the grave.
Unlike modern moving companies of today, who for a price will pack and prepare your valuables before you move, the Lord requires us to do our own preparing for that great “change.” How sad that so many people have been blinded into thinking that just going to church once a week and giving money to their pastor will ready them for the move into the kingdom! There is only one way to reach that kingdom, and that is the true preparation of our Christian character through rendering by love and zeal, a dedicated service to and for the Lord.
As a decorator, when considering fabrics for various color schemes, has to go out into the sunlight in order really to see how the colors blend, so also it is necessary for us to see the colors, the characters we are building, in the light of present truth. Two colors in a dim light may seem very compatible with one another, but when moved under a brighter light they may be seen to clash harshly. We must ever see ourselves in the right light, the sunlight of God’s Word, and thereby learn whether we are making real progress.
Our getting ready to move can cost much to the flesh, but our adviser assures us, saying, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed.” (Rev. 3:18) Surely, if we resolve to continue this journey, as strangers on earth, we will some day, after reaching the new home, look back and praise the way our God has led us, even though it may have cost us all things else!