Generally
speaking, the Ecclesias are living in as good spiritual atmosphere as can be
expected in this day of floating clouds which carry contagion wherever they go.
Go where one will, in this evil age/trouble in one form or other is to be met
with. One day a cloud will burst upon us like a mighty tornado, and leave
behind it confusion and consternation. We go to work and gather up the
fragments, set everything back in proper order as best we can, and then give a
sigh of relief, that once more a calm has come; and we begin to think, now we
may expect to glide along in peace; and bathe in the sunshine of Deity's
blessings. But alas! No sooner have we conceived the thought than it is met
with disappointment, causing, in many cases, despair which results in some
falling by the way.
But
how vain, to expect exemption from storms and tempests in such a political,
social, and religious climate as we live in! Evil in every conceivable form is
the order of the day, the world over; east, west, north, south it is the same.
And Why?
It
is because "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked". The words, "We must through much tribulation enter into the
kingdom", explain the entire situation. These words would have been
uttered in vain if peace and harmony were found everywhere the Truth is found.
Some
ask. Why is it that Christadelphians have trouble among themselves? This is
easily answered. Among them is a people who love the Truth, and in whose
"good and honest hearts" the seed of the kingdom has taken root. They
will have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: they will not
compromise the fundamental principles of the gospel; and so whenever it is
found that there are evil men and seducers in the camp, there is a collision —
there is war, the spirit in the one, warring against the flesh in the
other. This trouble could be very
easily obviated if those who war for the principles and precepts of the Spirit
would only surrender, and compromise — agree to disagree, but in the very
nature of things this cannot be done. God has not ordered it so. He has
arranged it so that His servants will "earnestly contend for the
faith"; that they will not give up their fidelity to God's Word,
either in word or deed. Therefore as long as there exist two conflicting
forces, which will be as long as the present unbridled condition of things
lasts, there will be the much tribulation through which the "few" out
of the "many" who are called will, as Jehovah's chosen ones, enter
into that rest which remains for the children of God.
Thomas Williams (1886)
The Christadelphian
Advocate, May 1956, pgs 109-110