Spoiler Alert! This month’s blog contains some material from an upcoming conference. If you plan to attend the WMNWC Spring Renewal, you may want to hold off reading.
Have you ever noticed that the closer you are to someone, the less tolerant you become of certain behaviors? We can be far harsher to a loved one, than to a stranger, and usually because we think, “they should know better!”
We can also get discouraged with others in our church family. Especially when we see them acting in a way “we deem” is unchristian-like. Yes, it sometimes seems like we have good reason - and that may very well be true - but Jesus tells us, our reaction can either help or hinder a sister or brother.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones [new or weak believer][1] to stumble.”
So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them” Luke 17:1-4 [my note].
We can tell by the apostle’s reaction; they took Jesus’ threat seriously!
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” Luke 17:5.
Problems in the church body can be very serious, and this is why leaders must be extremely diligent in their shepherding.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” James 3:1.
As members of the congregation, we too have an obligation. It is to not make our pastor’s job more difficult.
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” Hebrews 13:17.
Congregant problems often stem from things such as worship music, being burnt out on serving, misunderstandings, or just plain old personality conflicts. It is difficult to love someone with whom you often butt heads. While it is absolutely okay, and sometimes very necessary to set boundaries with people; we still must love them. This is what God asks us to do, and for very good reason. In 1 John 2:9-11, we read…
“…Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” 1 John 2:9-11.
The Greek word for brother or sister used in this passage is “adelphos” and refers to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; so, we know John is referring to the church, the body of Christ. I emphasize context because it is quite common for Christians to take a verse directed to and about believers, and apply it to the world. John is making a very specific point regarding our faith family here, and we need to fully understand its significance.
Satan has been hard at work attacking the church since it was formed on the day of Pentecost, and the closer we get to the return of Jesus, the more intensely the enemy fights. If the enemy can’t have our souls, he at least wants us so busy fighting each other, we become an in-effective body of Christ.
I find it no coincidence when Jesus chose, just after Judas left the last supper to go and betray Him, to say to His disciples…
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” John 13:34-35.
Peter summed up how the church should behave, beautifully…
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins” 2 Peter 1:3-9.
Peter wraps up this thought by saying…
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 1:10-11.
Simply put: We are to be serious about our calling as chosen ones of Christ by living godly lives, becoming mature members of His body, and forgiving others as we were forgiven. This doesn’t mean we will always agree with everyone, but this will keep us from stumbling and in turn, causing others in Christ to stumble.
[1] Definition from original Greek context
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