Revive Thy Work by Watchman Nee & Herbert L. Fader & Stephen Kaung

Author:Watchman Nee & Herbert L. Fader & Stephen Kaung
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Religion, Christian Life, General
ISBN: 9780935008814
Publisher: Christian Fellowship Pub.
Published: 1996-07-14T22:00:00+00:00

Exercising Authority in the Body and Body Consciousness

113

result; such, for example, as worshiping the image of Mary. On the other hand, the Protestant Church takes a more liberal stance on the matter than the Catholic Church. For its teaching carries within it the implication that there are as many popes as there are Christians! For its teaching holds that everyone may read the Bible and each may

decide on the Bible’s interpretation. Yet if we have light, we shall see that both are wrong; because in the body, only certain members whom the Lord sets forth therein have the authority to interpret the word of God. Hence, let us not hasten to be popes.

We may illustrate this matter in the following way. Concerning

the paths of life, the Lord has raised up in the local church certain brothers to help us in this matter. If any one of us has a problem with regard to the path of life he should pursue, he can go to these brethren for instruction. Thank God that in the body there is not just one brother who can supply you with life; there are several others.

Yet if you desire their ministry, you will need to submit to their authority for their ministry implies authority. And such authority is given by the Head of the body. Any member who strives against the

mouth or the eyes of the body of Christ is striving against the

ministry set up by the Head. For in reality insubjection to these

members is insubjection to the Head. Insubjection is first expressed in many words, then in many thoughts. Yet the simpler we are the

more we shall be united. This does not mean to say that in submitting to others you yourself have no ministry, since in the body of Christ we have authority towards one another.

Ministry is authority. In giving ministry, the Lord gives authority.

As members of Christ’s body, we need to learn not to be head. This is in fact the meaning of head covering. Head covering exhibits the fact that only the Lord is Head. And this therefore means that the responsible brothers themselves cannot decide on their own. A

disciplined person has no pleasure in interfering with others’ affairs.

In order to exercise authority properly, he must learn not to take 114

Revive Thy Work

pleasure in meddling in the business of others. For God himself

never interferes with or forces people.

Before the fall, the entrance to or exit from the Garden of Eden

was never barred to man. Hell has no hedge, which means that

people can quite easily fall into hell if that is their wish, since many are the roads which lead to destruction. Today twentieth-century man knows how to install a security fence charged with twenty, sixty, or more volts of electricity. But our God never interferes with, compels or prevents anybody. All who are naturally busybodies seeking to

impose their will on others must be dealt with, otherwise they can never represent authority. The delegated authority is one who lets people know that he takes no delight in probing into another’s

affairs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.