"The Seed Is Rotten"
In Joel 1:17, we find the statement, "The seed is rotten under their clods," and I wonder if it will not apply to the present condition that faces the church. We know that the seed of the Kingdom is the Word of God, (Luke 8:11) and that when it is properly planted in the "good soil" it will bring forth fruit unto God. Yet so many times we see dried up crops of Christians and poor husks of congregations, who call themselves the church of the Lord. Why? Have we ever asked ourselves why it is so? Surety we know that when the gospel fails to reach men and women it is not the fault of the seed but the conditions under which it is planted. Sometimes though, the gospel is not planted at all but the poor substitute of men's doctrine and philosophy. Regardless of what kind of soil these are planted in, they will result in failure as far as God is concerned.
With this fact before us, that man's teachings will fail; let us consider some of the ills of the church, and the religious world beyond its borders. What about DENOMINATIONALISM? Have we ever considered what makes it so insidious in the sight of the Lord? (Matt. 15:9) Surely we cannot say that everyone in denominations is vile, and dishonest, though in a good many instances this is so. Is it not a fact that there are some sincere people in the sects? Yes, it is so, and hence we see good soil ready for planting in many places, but the product thereof is not that of Christians. Why? Surely it can be seen that the seed is the wrong kind, and that it cannot produce anything except that which it is. (Matt. 7:16) We can say then of Denominations, that their seed is "rotten under their clods." The ground may be such that it could and would bear good fruit if the right kind of seed were planted, but the wrong one is there. "Every plant that the Heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up" and we should not forget it. It is evident that the seed of the Sects is rotten, because of the fruits of division and confusion that reign in their own ranks. If it were "good seed" it would bring forth "good fruit," but rotten seed cannot grow anything good, and so shall the harvest be.
Looking into the realm of the church, we consider some of the pressing problems before us, and wonder why it is that the church stands at "outs" over certain subjects. It isn't because we have so many dishonest brothers in the church, though this is true of some, but because the wrong kind of seed has been planted, and we know that this is the work of the enemy, Satan.
In the church we see the problem of INSTITUTIONALISM cropping up, mainly because some have dared to cross and question the "Sacred Cows" among us. It is fitting and proper that everything we do in the church should be questioned in the light of scripture, for how else can the church be kept pure? (1 Peter 3:15) It is fitting that many of the questions about these organizations have been brought up. "Oh, but you're making mountains out of molehills" say some, "what do such little differences amount to?" Plenty, if you intend to please the Lord, for we must not offend in any point if we are to please Him. (James 2:10) The ideas of educating people in the Bible, and of taking care of orphans, and other duties along that line, are fine and holy. They represent the best kind of soil that there is to be found;, but why take the hearts of honest, hard-working, brethren and plant the "rotten" and corrupt seed of man's desire and fancies in them? Is not this the very thing we do when we seek to do things in a way that God doesn't authorize; and when we are more interested in pleasing men than God? Why will we not set out hearts to do God's commands in God's own appointed way? Don't begin to "holler" that it is "expedient" to do it the way that it is being done, and has been done in years past. This dodge will not answer God's question of why we didn't obey Him, when we stand in the day of Judgment. We can do the work of teaching, converting, and benevolence without ever getting out of the local church and its organization, and the honest man knows that we should be doing our work through that means alone. The hearts of men and women in the church are such that they bleed that souls are lost, that orphans are uncared for, and that progress of the church is hindered, but too many times the seed that is being planted in these hearts is rotten, and under even this good soil it will fail, wait and see.
Another problem that comes in the same light is that of MODERNISM in the church. Modernism is the rottenest and vilest teaching that can be foisted on members of the church. Perhaps the attitude is that oft: "wanting to be like the nations round about us," that causes it to be so popular. Surely we will learn one of these days that "keeping up with the Jones" just won't fit into God's plan. It is true that all of us have the desire to be big and prominent before men, but why turn to the hell-bound doctrine of Modernism to accomplish it? We can really be big, if we will be the servant of all in obedience to God's will. (1 Peter 5:6) If we will but humble ourselves under the hand of God He will make us prominent in the last day, for then He will call us to come up higher. The present trend of modernistic practices and teachings in the church has been born of planting the wrong kind of seed in its members. Worldly knowledge and her disciples should be rooted out of the church, and it is high time that some "rooting up" should be done. The attitude of pride in things of this world, has been the cause of our drift toward the exaltation of the creature over his Creator. And that is the very idea that Modernism feeds upon, and a more rotten plant cannot be found.
Another problem in the church, which springs from corrupt seed, is that of WORLDLINESS. The church has in the past few years stumbled and faltered in its work, because there are so few to do it. I can hear some one say: "What do you mean—haven't we grown to be prominent and noticed lately?" Yes, we have; but have we grown in the way of the Lord? Have we considered how many people have turned more and more to the world, and the churches that have become worldly, thus hindering their influence for good? (1 John 2:15) Entertainment and sinful practices may get crowds into the church, but does it save their souls? Soft, putrid, ungodly sermonizing may please the world, but will it take souls to heaven? Shame on the preachers who have planted the rotten seed of hypocrisy, compromise, and weakness in the souls of boys and girls, men and women, who would have been different, but for his cowardice. Worldliness will reign until preachers become big enough to obey God. Rotten indeed is the seed and sin of cowardice.
Are we too busy to consider our ways and mend them, before the walls of Zion break, and the flood of sin pours through? Preachers, are you planting "Rotten Seed," or do you preach the simple word of God? Answer this before judgment, for then it will be too late.