Pastor W.J. Seaton

Dear Friends,

It appears that the doctrine of “In-it-to-win-it-ism” is fast gaining ground among those who lay claim to being “Reformed” or “Calvinistic” in their beliefs. “In-it-to-win-it” was, and is, the great cry of those who remain within doctrinally-mixed, or ecumenical churches. By their influence in these churches, or organisations, these people claim, they will eventually win these churches etc. to the true scriptural pattern. For any who have an eye of discernment at all, it is obvious that the premise stands totally discredited. Far from the mixed thing becoming the thing influenced, it becomes the thing that influences, and the “winning” voices grow weak, then faint, then silenced, as year proceeds to year.

Now, for this state of affairs to exist and find acceptance in the generally non-doctrinal and weak evangelicalism of our day is one thing; however, for it to begin to be recognised as valid among those who claim to be “reformed in doctrine and in practice” is something else again, and sets a sad spectacle before us. How pathetic, that reformed Christianity should now begin to jump on a band-wagon that has virtually trundled itself into the ground. Have the “In-it-to-win-it” voices stayed the hand of pollution in those denominations, churches, and organisations that have begun to rot long ago? Indeed they haven’t. And let no reformed brother imagine that it is the doctrine that is wrong, and if he can only bring the “Five Points” to bear on the plague sore then the body will be made clean again. Is this to under-value the glorious doctrines of grace? Indeed, no. But, it is to be graciously reminded that reformed Christianity is more than words from a pulpit.

The crying need of our day is an endeavour to be reformed in what we do, as well as in what we say, in our churches. And, if any body of professing Christians should have a high doctrine of the nature and purpose of the Church of Christ on this earth, it should be “reformed” Christians. The one thing that many other forms of Christianity have eroded over the past hundred years or more has been the doctrine of the Church, so that the Church, by turns, has become a “take-it-or-leave-it” sort of organisation, a concert hall, or a place to go on Sunday to hear and feel something that might be of benefit to “mine own and personal salvation.”

But, the Church of Christ is the Body of the Lord; and it is the one place on this earth where God has ordained that His praise should dwell. The gathering of the church of Christ has, therefore, one primary purpose; it is not evangelistic to the unconverted, nor ever inspirational to the people of God – although both of these things will be present where she fulfils her primary purpose. But the primary purpose of the church’s gathering is to worship and praise Almighty God. How is this brought about? “By the preaching of the Word” you say. Yes! But that is only one side of the truth. It is not only by the preaching of the Word but by the hearing of that Word, as well. Worship in the house of the Lord is to be reciprocal. Not only must the voice, and the heart, and the mind of the preacher echo out – “Thus saith the Lord,” but the response of the people must re-echo out – “Amen, our God is a great and gracious God.”

Now, this is exactly where “In-it-to-win-it-ism” completely falls to the ground. Of course there can be no perfect church – perish the thought, for who could join it! But, obviously, the nature of the church where the worship of God is being conducted must be evident in that church’s composition. In other words, where an “evangelical” minister is preaching the Word of God from week to week to a congregation composed, in the main, of nominal church-goers quite hardened to that gospel, with a handful of professing Christians present, is this the worship of God by the church of God? Evangelism it may be, but we would sincerely question whether or not it is “the true worship” involving the “true worshippers” whom the Father seeks through Jesus Christ His Son to worship Him. And likewise, when a “reformed” minister is preaching what he believes to be the entire counsel of God in an atmosphere that is largely alienated and opposed to his doctrine, does this constitute the true worship of God as a reformed Christian might be thought to hold that worship?

“Oh, yes,” comes the reply, “but the reformed brother is going to change all that; he is ‘In-it-to-win-it.’” Well, of course, as we’ve said, that has been the song of general evangelicalism for years now; and, sad to say, it appears that it has proved to be the “swan song” to uncompromised and uncompromising witness. But, here is the whole point, and one which confessedly reformed Christians must see – what becomes of that central and primary purpose of the church, even under a reformed ministry, in the meantime. In other words, while the brother is “winning” his situation, for say, five, ten, fifteen, twenty years – years of opposition, and abuse of the truth, and cross-purposes in the church, and wrangling with those to whom he has joined himself in membership – what becomes of the worship of God during all that time? Where is that God-ordained task of the church in both the preaching and the hearing, which alone constitutes worship during these “winning” years? Where is the “Thus saith the Lord” that should form the very backbone, and warp and woof of reformed preaching, and the glad “Amen” arising in the hearts and minds of those who have chosen to attend on such preaching, believing it to be the very truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus? What has become of that vital thing – the church’s first great calling – during this interval?

Surely, a serious question, my friends, and one which should produce a different answer than “In-it-to-win-it.” If no better answer is forthcoming, then, we are forced to wonder, indeed, if the new “Reformation” movement is anything more than a paper reformation. Surely, it has man at the centre, yet, and has failed to grasp the old Catechism’s burden, that “Man’s chief end is to glorify God…” Of a truth, “the voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And it has failed to grasp the principle behind Moses’ action when he was willing to divide the people in Israel in two when they were found worshipping the golden calf. The whole nation would have been quite prepared to continue in that form of things that called that man-made device, “Your god which hath brought you up out of the land of Egypt;” did they not have Aaron – an ordained priest of the nation in “membership” with them, and so, giving credence to their behaviour? But, the patriarch knew better: the honour of the Lord was at stake, and better to have half the camp seeking that, than double that number giving only lip service to it while their eyes were still turned away in the direction of the gods of their own imaginations. “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side?” That statement cost dear old Moses “about three thousand men” out of his congregation, but it was a small price at the end of the day.

The great essential of our day is to strive to give heed to that injunction of Paul’s to Timothy, and learn, more and more how we ought to “behave ourselves in the house of God” – “the pillar and ground of the truth” – where “the mystery of godliness” is brought before the people of God. The church of Christ is where those of like-mind gather to bow under that awesome and mysterious truth of their redemption, that “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.” It is he that has done the “winning” of our souls to Himself; it is His name that we are to worship with “one heart, and one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

Yours Sincerely,

W.J. Seaton

From The Wicket Gate Magazine, published in the UK, used with permission.