NOVEMBER 10TH, 1939

NOVEMBER 10TH, 1939

BELOVED BROTHER, — ... With regard to the matter you mention I am sorry that my head is not at present equal to writing as I should like. But I may say briefly that such scriptures as Acts 15: 14; 2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 18; and John 15: 19 make clear that believers are not of the world, and that in the path of separation they will be approved of God and will be made His paternal care.

If we rightly value our position as called to be identified with God’s testimony I think we shall shrink from committing ourselves voluntarily to any kind of association which is different in character from what we have learned of the truth of Christian fellowship. If the government ordered that all young men should take a course of “First Aid” training it would, no doubt, be right to obey. But a voluntary association to serve a national purpose is another matter, and raises a question whether it is suitable for those who are called to the fellowship of God’s Son to enter into it.

We deeply appreciate the privileges and liberties which we enjoy under the government of this land, and thank God for His great goodness to us in this respect. And it is fitting that we should pray much for all those who are in authority, as we are enjoined to do.

But being partakers of heavenly calling involves being strangers and sojourners on the earth. If this were a reality to us it would settle many questions at once. We need to pray that we may be kept in the truth that our citizenship is in heaven, and that we are here to represent God as revealed in grace. We need to be preserved from national feeling, and to have heaven’s view of what is going on here, and to be at the same time in sympathy with suffering humanity. We should be ready, as we have opportunity, to do good unto all men, but in order to do this we do not need to enter into associations which are not in keeping with the truth of the Christian fellowship. I trust the dear brethren will have grace and faith to keep their garments unspotted from the world.

With much love in the Lord,

Yours affectionately in Him,

November 10th, 1939.