While possibly ego deflating, attitude and motivation can at times be as telling as dramatic spiritual success. Paul underscores this point in his well-known thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians.
We recall, for example, a pastor in the 'seventies who was threatened by the growing acceptance of Renewal emphasis in churches of denominations other than his own. "We're the ones who have preached this all along," he imperiously declared. "If they what what we have, they can come to us." Our later response was something to the effect that, "I guess it's alright, assuming they own the Holy Spirit." (Lest this preacher's reaction be viewed as typical, his older brother, himself a pastor of similar affiliation, subsequently volunteered that when it came to fellowship and Christian identity, the first brother had much to learn.)
The first point in need of clarification at this point was that the Spirit and His enablements are given, not for purposes of promoting self or organization, but rather Jesus Christ (John 15:26; 16:14). It is an awareness easily lost in relation to many aspects of the faith. We are the ones who have it all right and in order. Just ask us.
Somewhat similarly, we also recall a time at which we were enrolled in a Bible College of yet another identity. To our surprise (as well as the Lord's, presumably), we learned one morning from a visiting denominational official that, in its lack of an affiliated congregation, Albuquerque, New Mexico was "a city without the Gospel" - hence the launching of a new endeavor there. Further expression of self-focus did little to prolong our stay at that particular school.
At this juncture, the question becomes: "To whom does the Church belong?" and, "With whom does definitive authority reside in terms of agenda, objective, intent and identity?
Jesus supplies the answer to the first question: "I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18) - that constituency elsewhere defined as, "All who in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (I Cor. 1:2), and "all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity" (Eph. 6:24).
Paul likewise addresses the second question: God has given Christ to be "head over all things to the church which is his body... so that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Eph. 1:21-23; Col. 2:18). Simply stated, "The LORD reigns" (Psa. 93:1).
It is a good place at which to begin.
Burl Ratzsch
