Isaiah 52:1-6 Awake, awake; put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city… I. THE CONSTITUTIONAL ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH. I use the word constitution in a legitimate sense, as including both the creed and the polity of a Church. 1. The creed. As a man's life is the outcome of what he believes, or does not believe, precisely so is the Church's. But is not the Bible the acknowledged creed of all the Churches? No; no more than the stars are astronomy, or the flowers botany. The Bible is the source of the creed of all, but it is the creed of none, for the simple reason that the Bible, like every other writing, must be construed; and on many points it cannot be construed in the same way by all. 2. The government. Hers also that which is true of man is true of the Church. An army is stronger than a mob. II. ADMINISTRATIVE ELEMENTS. But a Church is not only obliged to have certain constitutional and other laws, it is also obliged to administer them for the twofold purpose — 1. Of protecting itself against corruption and disintegration. 2. In order that it may efficiently fulfil its mission of witnessing for Christ, whereunto it was Divinely called. III. SPIRITUAL ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH. 1. Peace. There must be battles with the common enemy, but no battles with itself. 2. Unity. 3. Co-operation. 4. Purity. 5. The Holy Spirit. (R. V. Foster, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. |
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