6. “C. Η.,” Tottenham. We do not feel it to be for edification to discuss the subject of your note; and we should advise you to refrain from such discussion.
7. “W. H.,” Torpoint. Wait patiently on the Lord to open your way to His table. He may see it right to exercise your faith, but He never fails a trusting heart. Most assuredly you ought not willingly absent yourself from the table of your Lord, or from the assembly of His people. We must not yield to the reasonings and objections of mere nature. “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” May the Lord guide and strengthen you!
8. “Learner,” Sutton. As to fact, we are in Egypt; as to experience, we are in the wilderness; in spirit and by faith, we are in Canaan. We are not yet come unto the rest.
9. “J. G.,” Aberdeen. Your question is entirely one of individual conscience. Where the heart is really true to Christ and bound for glory, the question of investment will never be raised, or if raised, will be very speedily and definitely answered. Read Luke 12:22-40.
10. “A deeply distressed One,” Birmingham. We can only help you by prayer. Your case, though a truly deplorable one, is not beyond the reach of the almighty grace of God. He can restore your soul, and lead you in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Look to Him in true self-judgment. Do not limit His grace. Jesus ever liveth to make intercession. God, in His abundant mercy, grant you full restoration!
11. “A. B.,” Staffordshire. It would not promote edification to discuss your question. Let each one study the New Testament, in the spirit of these words, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”
12. “R. F.,” Ballymena. We believe “the angel” is the mystic representative of the assembly before the eye of Christ. He passes from the angel to the assembly as though they were interchangeable terms. You will notice this throughout the seven addresses.
13. “A. and E.,” Isle of Wight. “Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve” (Matt. 26:20.) So also Mark 14:17. Again, in Luke 22:14, “When the hour was come, he sat down and the twelve apostles with him.” Furthermore, Judas is distinctly mentioned as taking part in the feast and asking a question. And then not merely at the passover, but at the supper, our Lord says, “Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.” We do not see how anyone can question the fact of the presence of Judas at the supper. His character Was only known to the Lord. His fellow apostles did not seem to have any suspicion of him. But then to argue from this case that we ought to countenance known evil at the Lord’s table, is simply wicked. To say that we may have traitors at the table, for aught we know, is to confess our own weakness; but to say that we ought to have known traitors, is perfectly shocking to any holy mind.
14. “Frater,” Cheltenham. Our Lord Jesus Christ has left us an example that we should follow His steps. Can we trace His footsteps into a field of battle? We are called to walk even as He has walked. Is it walking like him to go to war? Alas! we fail in many things; but if we are asked if it be right for a Christian to go to war, we can only answer the question by a reference to Christ. How did He act? What did He teach? Did He ever take the sword? Did He come to destroy men’s lives? Did He not say, “He that taketh the sword shall perish by the sword?” And again, “I say unto you, that ye resist not evil.” How do such words comport with going to war? But some will say, “what would become of us if all were to adopt such principles?” We reply, If all were to adopt those heavenly principles, there would be no more war, and hence we should not need to fight. But it is not our business to reason as to the results of obedience; we have only to obey the word of our blessed Master and walk in His steps, and if we do so, we shall, most assuredly, not be found going to war. Persons sometimes quote our Lord’s words, “He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one,” as affording a sanction for going to war; but any simple mind can see that they have nothing to do with the question. They refer to the altered condition of things on which the disciples would have to enter when the Lord should be taken. While He was with them, they had lacked nothing; but now they would have to face, in His absence, the full brunt of the world’s opposition. In short, the words have an entirely spiritual application. Again, much use is sought to be made of the fact that the centurion in Acts 10, was not told to resign his commission. It is not the way of the Spirit of God to put people under a yoke. He does not say to the newly converted soul, “you must give up this or that.” The grace of God meets a man where he is, with a full salvation, and then it teaches him how to walk by presenting the words and ways of Christ in all their sanctifying and formative power. But again it is said, “Does not the apostle in 1 Cor. 7 tell us to abide in the calling wherein we are called?” Yes; with this powerfully qualifying clause, “Abide with God.” This makes a material difference. Suppose a hangman is converted, could he abide in his calling? It will be said that this is an extreme case. Grained: but it is a case in point, inasmuch as it proves the fallacy of the reasoning on 1 Cor. 7. It proves that there are callings in which one could not possibly “abide with God.” Finally, then as to your question, dear friend, we have simply to inquire, “Is it abiding with God, or walking in the footsteps of Christ to go to war?” If it be, let Christians do so; if not—what then?
15. “P..” Kent. Thanks for your kind note. We have very recently replied to your questions on 1 Pet. 3:19.