The Thing That Counts

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     Our regular readers are aware of our conviction that the Lord Jesus has not regulated whether we shall use leavened or unleavened bread, fermented or unfermented wine, in observance of the memorial feast, the Lord's Supper. We do not hold that our communion of the body and blood is dependent upon how the loaf is broken or distributed, or whether one container or many are employed in the distribution of the drink element. We are content to allow each congregation of saints to determine these things for itself, and we will sit down at the table with them in thankfulness that we may enjoy the occasion of breaking bread in their company.

     There is, however, another side to the issue. Not all of my brethren share my views. Some cannot conscientiously regard these matters as I do. They have scruples against certain things, as for instance, the use of multiple cups. What shall be my attitude toward them? Suppose that I proclaim the Good News in a place and band together a group of immersed believers, and when the time comes to determine the order of our corporate worship procedure, one of these humble saints files an objection to the use of individual cups, and asks that the congregation employ but one container. Shall I ruthlessly disregard his feelings, ridicule him for his position, and demand individual cups be used regardless of consequences?

     To act in such a manner would be to violate every principle of our relationship in the Christ, and would make my observance of the Lord's Supper a hollow mockery. Is that Supper not an overt and public expression of fellowship? Then how can I pretend to fellowship the Christ and His disciples when I crush the heart of one of the redeemed ones over a matter which I regard as immaterial and indifferent? Is not love the seal of perfection? Do I walk in love when I grieve my brother in such a fashion? "If your brother is being injured ... you are no longer walking in love" (Rom. 14:15).

     The apostle Paul said, "Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died." He further declared, "Do not for the sake of food, destroy the work of God." But he also said, "Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ" (1 Cor. 8:12). I admit that Paul was not dealing with our modern problems, but will not the same principle apply? The salvation of a brother was

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worth more than food. The work of God was incomparably greater than having one's way about what he ate. Is it not also greater than the method of passing the fruit of the vine? If I force a child of God from the table of the Master, and drive him out into the cold by my insistence on having my way regardless of his feelings and compunctions, do I not sin against him, and in doing so, sin against the Christ?

     I may excuse my harshness and pitilessness by reasoning that he is weak and unworthy of attention. But the word of God declares, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him" (Rom. 15:1, 2). What good will it do to boast of correct doctrine and practice, if I callously disregard the injunction, "Love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor"? The law of God is rightly obeyed only when it is observed in an atmosphere of love. "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

     I do not intend to set up my opinions regarding the method of serving the Lord's Supper as a law to he bound upon my brethren. The fellowship symbolized is infinitely greater to me than the details of serving. I shall look beyond the mere physical aspects to the purpose of the feast. But I hold no brief for those who profess a loyalty to the King and treat His humble servants as dust under their feet. "If any one says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen."