Overcoming the Party Spirit

We can conquer the party spirit just as we can overcome any other work of the flesh. In spite of its insidious nature we are no more doomed to continue in it than we would be to continue to drink to excess. It is as important that we divest ourselves of it as that we free ourselves from impurity, idolatry or sorcery. In order to do so we must want to be free from it. We must recognize it for what it is, a sin against God and a scandal against the bride of his Son. So long as we cloak this sin with the garment of respectability we will not escape from it.

We must apply ourselves to overcoming the baneful effects of the sectarian attitude by starting in to undo our errors. This means we must begin to associate with those from whom we were separated and commend our love unto them. This requires no change of position on the troublesome issues. It only requires a recognition of our mutual brotherhood in Christ.—W. Carl Ketcherside