Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 21
October 30, 1969
NUMBER 26, PAGE 8-9

A Defeatist's Attitude

William C. Sexton

Recently while talking with a "Liberal" brother, I mentioned a point I had made in a sermon. He responded that such manifested a "Defeatist's Attitude." The sermon was: "Our Mission." In this sermon I had pointed to what I believe the Bible teaches is "Our Goal," as a congregation. The point I had made was: If we do our duty, and are unsuccessful in winning a person to Christ, we will have saved our souls. I think that it is very unlikely (nevertheless possible) that a faithful Christian, not to mention a faithful congregation, will be unable to win a person to Christ; but the point is that if one does his duty, he'll be saved regardless of his success. I have thought about it some more, due to this criticism, and I am still convinced that such is true; it has a scriptural foundation and has some merit, I believe. Thus, I offer it for your consideration.

Criticism should not discourage us, we should give it due consideration; if it is unjust or ill-advised, we should go ahead as we have been doing. If criticism is offered with the right purpose in mind, the person issuing it is not hurt, neither is the receiver. If it is just, then we can see and turn. If issued from an impure motive, then the issuer is hurt. Thus, I suggest that all of us would do well to appreciate criticism, perhaps, more than we do. Of course at times criticism reveals the condition of the heart behind it. But there is a human tendency to reject all criticism without a fair deliberation, thus the need for awareness.

But let us consider the point further:

1. SUCCESS VS FAITHFULNESS: We need to remember that we have a duty to serve God, and nothing can justify us in failing to worship Him faithfully and regularly. In our daily life we are to try to convert others, by teaching them to obey Christ. But if in our efforts we don't win a soul, we still save our souls.

I feel at times we are likely to forget that our activities are for our good as well as for others. For instance, it seems at times that certain ones attend the services just in order to get others to come, and if they, can't get others to come they feel no obligation to attend. Each person needs to meet with the saints of God and worship Him, and carry out his duty if no others in the community does. That includes you and me and every Christian on the earth.

We get discouraged if the congregation isn't growing. Certainly, we should re-examine our teaching and methods if we aren't winning people to Christ; see if we are as active as we should be, Etc. But on the other hand, if we are preaching the gospel of Christ, and employing the methods available; in other words if we are doing all we can and are still unsuccessful, we need not fear. We cannot change the word to attract people!

2. SUBTRACTION VS ADDITION: At times a decrease in the membership would be an improvement. Such is the teaching in 1 Cor. 5. There was a person in the congregation who was immoral and the duty of the brethren was to; " .. put away ... that wicked person." This in effect would be a subtraction in numbers, yet an improvement in their relations with God. To allow this person to remain would have worsened their spiritual condition. So it is today, I believe. At times if congregations would teach the pure gospel of Christ, they would interest and thus win fewer people, yet they would be stronger spiritually.

Several years back, while the Issues of Institutionalism and Centralized Control were being discussed, studied, and kicked around, I heard some equating the position of the "Anti" with that of the "No Bible Class," and "No Located Preacher," position. These were saying that they "never grow, they just die out." Several things were wrong with this: (1). The position of the two are not at all the same. (2). If they were, and they were not winning souls due to their scriptural position, the lack of success would have been no justification for opposing them. If the churches were half as large as they are and yet every member in them were true faithful Christians, such would be an improvement over what we have, I am sure.

Perhaps the reason some churches are so large, is due to the facts that they have taught WHAT MEN WANT rather than WHAT MEN NEED. Who would argue the point that had Jesus changed His teaching to appeal to the people, that He could have gained more, and had a greater following? The record shows that He had a hundred and twenty disciples after about three years. (Acts 1: 15). Would He liked to have had more? Had he changed would he have pleased His Father? Would He have changed had no one been attracted by His teachings? I think not! I feel that all should be aware of the fact that numbers have no bearing upon the soundness of a doctrine. Perhaps most of us need to be reminded at times. As Paul says, " ... yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Rom. 3:4).

3. SALVATION VS NOTORIETY: There is within each person that desire to be noticed. The person that is successful attracts attention. The Religious circle is no exception. Churches which have the biggest building and the largest membership are looked up at in the community. Such churches, no doubt, have more power; exerts more influence in the community. Yet, is the power everlasting? Will its influence result in more souls being in heaven? If its power is not making people suitable for eternity, it is not as it should be.

The point of this article is this: May we ever be aware that our duty is to be faithful to God; serve Him — Individually and congregationally. If we fail here, anything else we may accomplish will be of little benefit. While if we are faithful to God — if we are governed wholly and completely by His will, then all shall be "well" with us in the end. What is your attitude? Are we Defeatists or Believers?

— 2718 Remick, St. Joseph, Missouri 64507