But there are one or two characteristics about a meeting, by which I may judge whether it is of God, that it may be well to state. First, the saints who compose it are gathered together to the name of the Lord Jesus, hence there is subjection to Him. They are not “met together in the name of Jesus” merely, as the common phrase goes, but gathered together to the name of the Lord Jesus, and therefore in dependence on Him, and subjection to His authority. But also there must be in those gathered a suitability to the Person to whom they are gathered. Now, what is the character that will be seen in those who are truly gathered? In a scripture already referred to — the address to Philadelphia — we have the character of the Lord Jesus, not only in general, but specially for the present hour (Rev. 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7)): “These things saith He that is holy, He that is true.” The character of the assembly must conform to His. Hence, if we find a company ever so loudly professing to be gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus, but plainly admitting among them things contrary to holiness or truth, that meeting has no claim upon us. I could not be there without denying my Lord; by going as a Christian there, I should virtually make Christ the minister of sin. This would be the case not only where gross moral evil was present and allowed. It is not enough to exclude drunkenness or any flagrant misdemeanor; Scripture takes note of other forms of evil, not so glaring in the eyes of men, but in reality of a still deeper character.
Christian holiness and divine truth are to be maintained; not only the walk is to be observed, but also the doctrine. Do you suppose that one who, while maintaining a moral walk in the eyes of men, blasphemes or undermines Christ, is to be treated with less rigor than one who behaves ever so ill? Can I be rightly in association with a person whose outward ways men can admire, while he himself says that Christ was but a man? He who thinks so betrays a state of heart and life at enmity with God. Indeed, the maintenance of the truth in the present day demands more strongly our attention, because it is a subtle evil, less easily discovered, and more deadly than outward failure. Any one can see if a man gets drunk he acts wickedly, but not everyone can judge of him who does not bring the doctrine of Christ, for he may do it covertly. Only a person who has faith and affection for Christ is capable of judging whether a man has the truth or not. This is not the only thing required, but it is most necessary.