ters of attending church. Of course, she’s not subject to him concerning salvation. It might be better in such an instance for the wife to stay at home avoiding conflicts, explaining to her two small sons the reality of the Bible and why they do not attend church. Let them pray for their dad, even as she should pray for her hus band. By living a Christian life in the home, not nagging, but just pre senting a clear-cut, joyful Christian testimony, we believe that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction to that man’s heart. Q. Eugene, Ore. — “Can you help me on Matthew 18:18? It says, ‘Verily / say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall hind on earth be hound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven?’ This is not clear to me.” A. This passage, in its context, is talking about discipline among the believers in a church. It is God’s own method for keeping a church on an even keel (vs. 15fF). There are a lot of good groups and clubs in the world, but it is only the Church that is entrusted by the Lord Jesus Christ to carry on His work. This binding is not by an individual but rather the Church together, with Christ as the Head. Note what Paul said (I Cor. 5:1-5) in the case of terrible moral departure in the Corinthian church. Suppose a person felt convicted of his sin. He came to see that there is only one way of salvation, and that through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He rightly confesses, as Romans 10:9, 10 testifies, “I believe I’m saved.” As a church we can re- acho, “Yes, you are saved.” We are not making him saved. We are just pronouncing what is true on the basis of what God’s Word declares. These expressions binding and loosing were those that the Talmudic rabbis used when something was still an obliga tion. Binding meant you were respon- 22
sible to carry out the situation. To be loosed meant to be free from the obligation. Neither this passage, nor any other in Scripture, gives any in dividual pontifical, ecclesiastical, or priestly authority in any manner. It is rather the Church carrying out the discipline that Christ wants to be followed. I’LL STAY I’ll stay where you’ve put me, I will, dear Lord, Though I wanted so bady to go; I was eager to move with the rank and file. Yes, I wanted to lead them, you know. I planned to keep step to the music loud, To cheer when the banner unfurled. To stand in the midst of the fight straight and proud. Whatever the trials and tests of this world, But I’ll stay where you’ve put me. I'll stay where you’ve put me; I'll work, dear Lord, Though the field be narrow and small, And the ground be fallow, and the stones lie thick, And there seems to be no life at all. The field is thine own, only give me the seed, I’ll sow it with never a fear; Till the dry soil while I wait for the rain, And rejoice when the green blades appear; I’ll work where you’ve put me. I’ll stay where you’ve put me; I will, dear Lord; I’ll bear the day’s burden and heat, Aways trusting thee fully; when even is come I’ll lay heavy sheaves at Thy feet. And then, when my earth’s work is ended and done, In the light of eternity’s glow, Life's record all closed, I surely shall find It was better to stay than to go; I'll stay where you put me.
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