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MAINTAINING WHAT IS PRECIOUS TO CHRIST

C. A. Gray

It is remarkable that we get these three instances where one in a position of great privilege in principle denies the assembly. I feel it is a word to us to maintain what is precious to the heart of Christ until the moment of translation. It is to be the first consideration with us. It is in line with the Lord having the first place in all things that what is His chief interest might be continually and distinctively before us. In the first case in chapter 12 Abram denies Sarai his wife before the Egyptians, that is, before the world; in the second case it is before the Philistines and, remarkably, in the third case Isaac does exactly the same thing, and in the same place as in chapter 20 and to the same people. In each case there is damage to the testimony. Those of the world, we might say in principle, ask Abram why he had done this. I think there is a word to us in this. In the first two cases what Abraham said in regard of Sarah was half the truth, she was his half-sister. There was no such excuse in the instance of Isaac; he does not give any reason for it except, as in each of these instances, personal fear.

I just feel, brethren, that it behoves us to view this in relation to what we were considering on Lord’s day, “Hold fast what thou hast”, Revelation 3: 11. The truth of the assembly, as our brother has just said in prayer, is of vital consequence to us; it is a most precious truth because it relates to what is for the satisfaction of the heart of Christ.

It is our privilege to have it, but it is our responsibility to hold it, and I feel this aspect cannot be over-emphasised. It is a privilege which was not known by those of former dispensations; it is distinctive to the present time of the Spirit, and I believe there is distinctively a character of preciousness in these closing moments when we are waiting for the Lord to come to take the assembly to be with Himself. We all need to have that before us, and before us all the time. We know what is in view finally, what is to be for the glory of God—“To him be glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all generations of the age of ages”, Ephesians 3: 21. That is a very extensive thought—something beyond our capacity to comprehend in the present conditions in which we are.

It is remarkable, too, that in the case of Abraham in the second instance he was at Gerar, which means, ‘place of sojourning’—and that is where we are now. It is a provisional condition of things; this is not our resting-place; what we have before us is God’s thoughts and purpose working out to finality.

I feel the need of bringing this line before us because, as we have often observed, if the enemy is against anything he is against the assembly for Christ. So may we be helped in holding these thoughts in their preciousness. If such great men as Abraham and Isaac came short in this respect, we certainly cannot elect ourselves out of the danger of denying or forgoing the truth of the assembly. It was not known, of course, in those days, but the principle of it applies to us now.

Well, may the Lord help us to be vitally in these things. It is what the Spirit is seeking, and the distinctive character of the Spirit’s service, which has extended from Pentecost until now, is what is unified—the submergence in that sense of what is personal and the unifying of the personnel of the assembly. May the Lord help us in these things, for His name’s sake.

Word in meeting for ministry, Helston
18 May 1982

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