Category Archives: Edifying the Saints

Should We Be More Tolerant?

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We preachers have just been much too hard on thieves and thievery. We have spent way too much pulpit time condemning theft when we could have been preaching on understanding, love and tolerance for thieves. We have instead insisted upon telling people that stealing is a sin and that they shouldn’t behave that way.

Now, I know what the Bible says about stealing. One of the ten commandments given to the nation of Israel was “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Of course, the Law of Moses was fulfilled by Jesus and we don’t live under that law any more. Still, the gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed by the inspired apostles and prophets of the New Testament also condemns theft. The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians that any thieves should stop stealing (4:28) and he actually told the Corinthians that thieves would not inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 6:10)! Paul seems to have believed that stealing was a sin, but then he probably also hated thieves, don’t you think?

If someone steals a car, I guess the proper thing to do is to avoid referring to that person as a “thief.” Identifying someone by their conduct has never helped anything, has it? It’s just the way that people who considered themselves to be “morally superior” put others down. The person who stole the car probably couldn’t help it anyway, since we all know that some folks are compulsive thieves. Besides, the Bible is an old book and we are a more enlightened people now.

The reasoning offered above is seen to be ridiculous when applied to stealing. Does anybody actually believe that preachers who identify theft as a sin therefore hate thieves? Is it “discrimination” to identify someone who steals as a “thief”? (Actually, it is – by the general meaning of the word “discriminate,” i.e., to make a distinction between different things, people, etc. Modern society, however, has attached such an unsavory connotation to the word that ANY discrimination is seen as undesirable). Unfortunately, the same kind of argument is routinely used to defend other kinds of immoral behavior and to attack those who speak out against such behavior.

I personally have had enough of “political correctness.” Note the craftiness of the homosexual movement which portrays any criticism of homosexuality as “discrimination” tantamount to racism. Those who identify homosexual behavior as sinful are classified as “bigots” who hate homosexuals. Never mind that the Bible identifies homosexual behavior as “vile passions,” “against nature,” “shameful,” “error” and “debased” (Romans 1:26_28). Never mind that forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation is available to ANYONE who will turn from his sins and seek divine grace (Acts 17:30_31; Titus 2:11_14). I recognize that there are individuals who are hateful toward homosexuals, but to assume such of everyone who disapproves of that lifestyle is no more reasonable than suggesting that disapproving of thievery 4 implies the hatred of thieves!

“Political correctness” is often used to hide the truth about certain kinds of behavior. For instance, there are those who argue that it is improper, even hateful, to refer to those who enter our country illegally as “illegal aliens.” “Alien” simply means that they are not citizens (which is true) and “illegal” simply refers to their method of entry into the country, i.e., in violation of United States immigration law (which is true). The political lobby for illegal aliens has learned well from the homosexual movement; the terms used in the national discussion of a subject can be half the battle!

Christians must not be afraid to stand up and identify what the Bible calls “sin.” That won’t make us popular with a large segment of the population, but, like the apostle Paul, our objective is to please God, not men (Galatians 1:10). Part of the reason that our society has lost its moral bearings is that religious people (I include the members of denominations) have become reticent to identify sin for what it is. At the same time, we must remember that the object of the preaching of the gospel is to encourage men and women to seek God. We must be plain, but not hateful. We must be firm, but not vindictive.

 

By Allen Dvorak

“Be Patient With All”

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“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

We all have responsibilities toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s especially true when the going gets tough. In this verse, Paul briefly identifies some common spiritual problems and our duties toward those who have them.

The word unruly described a soldier who was insubordinate or a laborer who neglected his work. This brother’s behavior is disor­derly, out of line. He is not following the rules (i.e., the command­ments of God; see 2 Thessalonians 3:6b). He knows what he ought to do but chooses not to do it.

Paul’s command is that we admonish (warn) such a person. We work to persuade him to do better. Whether it requires gentle words of encouragement or stronger words of rebuke, our goal is to get him to change his conduct to conform to what God instructs—in other words, to repent.

The fainthearted (literally, “small-souled”) brother is easily dis­couraged. He may be overly sensitive to criticism. He may quickly lose heart when he makes mistakes, or when he sees the failures of others. He may be fearful of opposition to his beliefs. Without help, this disciple could become disheartened and depressed to the point of giving up.

Our duty to this brother is to comfort him. He may need a cheerful word or just a sympathetic ear. He needs to know he is not alone. “Let them know that the battle is not theirs, but the Lord’s; and those that trust in him shall conquer” (Adam Clarke). “There­fore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble” (Hebrews 12:12).

The weak brother has many faces: the student who is experi­enc­ing doubts about his faith; the new convert who still has much to learn; the brother who is weak in conscience toward some matter of indifference (cf. 1 Corinthians 8-10; Romans 14). This Christian lacks the depth of knowledge or conviction that he needs.

Paul tells us to “uphold” or support the weak. The word here can mean either (1) to endure or withstand, or (2) to cling to or pay atten­tion to. I believe both meanings could apply. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his neighbor’s good to edi­fication” (Romans 15:1-2). When a brother is weak, we must “put up” with his weaknesses and try to “build up” what is lacking on his part. The goal is not for him to be complacent in his weakness, but for him to grow stronger.

When a brother or sister struggles with problems, it may be hard to determine which of these descriptions best fits. Is the person willfully disobedient or just struggling with temptation? Is his problem due to a lack of self-control or a lack of knowledge? Does she need reassurance or rebuke? It may take careful consideration and time before we know. And that leads us to one more exhortation…

Be patient with all. The word is literally “long-tempered”—be­ing patient with those who try our patience. Warning the unruly, comforting the fainthearted, and upholding the weak can put a strain on us. Satan seeks to frustrate and discourage us. He would rather we just gave up on those who need our help. But we must not. Remem­ber that we all need the support of our brothers and sisters from time to time. Imitate the longsuffering of God (2 Peter 3:9,15). “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentle­ness, and patience” (Colossians 2:12).

 

By Jeff Himmel

Awkward

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[Editor’s note: Last Sunday evening’s lesson was received well, and the article from which the lesson was inspired is now submitted to you.]

Life can, at times, be awkward. Most of us have probably been in situations where we have felt uncomfortable or embarrassed by the action of another or even ourselves. Many of those times it may be over something so trivial that everyone laughs it off and someone says, “Well, that was awkward.” In this article I would like to suggest the possibility of Satan using our sense of awkwardness to further his cause. While the word “awkward” is not found in the Bible, Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 2:11 to not be ignorant of Satan’s devices, and as we will see in this article, awkwardness may just be one of Satan’s wiles (Ephesians 6:11). Take note of two examples.

Awkwardness in Relationships

Generally speaking, things are most awkward when a relationship between two parties exists as opposed to when two parties know nothing of each other. For example, would I be embarrassed if I tripped and fell on my face in front of a complete stranger? Certainly, but I would feel even more awkward if I were to trip and fall on my face in front of someone I know because a relationship is present and there is the possibility of having to interact with this person again as opposed to a stranger whom I would likely never see again. In other words, the more you are acquainted with somebody the more probable it is that an ungraceful situation could unfold.

Having illustrated that awkwardness grows with a relationship, is it possible we ever shy away from a problem because of the potential for awkwardness and thus a strained relationship? For example, have you ever seen a brother or sister with sin in their life but decide to forego your Christian responsibility (Galatians 6:1) because you are certain that addressing the issue would be awkward and could cause you to lose that friendship?

 

The scene we read of in Galatians 2:11-14 must have been incredibly awkward for all parties involved. If we think it is awkward to talk with our brethren who are involved in sin, how do you suppose Paul was feeling as he was rebuking one of Jesus’ original and closest disciples? It could not have been easy to reveal Peter’s hypocrisy to his face and to those who were around, but the awkwardness did not prevent Paul from showing love to his erring brother. Had Paul allowed the uneasiness of the situation to stop him from speaking it is possible that Peter and Barnabas could have dragged more away with them. Let’s thank God for men such as Paul, and let’s pray for the courage to overcome awkwardness by boldly yet lovingly speaking to others. Awkwardness in talking to others concerning their sin will pass; eternal death will not.

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death a cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19, 20).

Awkwardness in Evangelism

All of us should want to teach others about the grace God has extended to all mankind. I believe the “golden rule” (Matthew 7:12) is a great principle for why we should reach out to the lost. Personal evangelism is something all of us should be involved in, and there are many different (and useful) ways to evangelize. Knocking on doors, handing out business cards, talking to neighbors and co-workers, sharing thought-provoking material on the World Wide Web, etc., are all wonderful ways to spread the good news.

However, do we every shy away from telling someone about Jesus’ life and death because of the potential for awkwardness? Anytime we reveal or share part of ourselves with someone, there is a potential for people to humiliate, mock, scoff, or ridicule us and our beliefs, and personal evangelism only maximizes those opportunities. Chatting with others regarding spiritual topics is not always easy to do especially when Satan can use our sense of awkwardness against us, but it is something we should want to do and must do.

From time to time we sing the hymn You Never Mentioned Him To Me. This hymn gives us an interesting perspective and leaves us with an important question: Are we telling sinners about the mercy and grace of God? It would be very awkward (and incredibly sad) to know we could have helped a sinner enter into a relationship with his Creator, but instead did not speak up because of the awkwardness it may have caused.

How do we overcome awkwardness? The answer is not to avoid relationships where we run the risk of having to confront others with their sin nor is the answer in avoiding spreading the Gospel that saves people from their sin. What is the solution then? We must first realize that it is a clever tactic Satan uses to get us not to act when we should. It can be a big temptation for some more than others but it can be overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). Secondly, a genuine love for the souls of people will aid us in overcoming the awkwardness we feel in relationships and evangelism. For if we care for the souls of those around us we will speak despite the potential of losing a friendship or being ridiculed. May God help us all overcome!

Isaac Muñoz

Which Ones Have You Encouraged?

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The Lord’s church is composed of both strong and weak members. Each one needs encouragement at times, but certainly the weaker brethren need a greater amount of special attention. Also, there are some members who are not necessarily weak, but who have special physical problems, causing them to need special attention. The apostle Paul taught that the responsibility of helping the weaker members rested upon the shoulders of those who were mature, full-grown Christians (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:1-2). In the minds of some, this type of responsibility is the work of the elders, deacons, or preachers. Indeed it is; but the instruction is given to all Christians. Sometimes elders and preachers are negligent. Sometimes there is simply more work to be done than a limited number of men can accomplish. Which ones have you encouraged?

Some Members Are Forsaking the Assembling of the Saints

This sign of weakness is obvious to any mature Christian. It takes no special training or skills to make a phone call, write a note, or drop by for a short visit to say, “I’ve missed you.” Would it be presumptuous to say almost all Christians could render service in this area?

Some Members Are Attending Without the Support (Perhaps With the Hindrance) Of Their Spouse

A mother rises early on Sunday morning to prepare breakfast and dress the children to get them to Bible class; and they leave home with the father still in bed. Sometimes the fathers have the same problem, leaving the mother at home. All recognize the special problems faced by such parents, admire their effort, and are encouraged by their faithful attendance under less than ideal circumstances. Are we not obliged to reciprocate some type of encouragement to these faithful parents?

Some Members Are Presently Experiencing Family Problems

There are parents who are struggling with a rebellious child. There are married couples who are experiencing serious problems, perhaps resulting from an immature spiritual life. There are adults who have aging parents who are sick or confined, and demand much of their time and attention. In many cases, an encouraging word may be all that can be offered. Who offers it?

Some Members Are Facing Problems Associated With Aging

The elderly and widows find it more and more difficult to do the basics, such as driving to services, shopping at the market, visiting with others, etc. Many live alone, without the encouragement or support of a faithful companion. Encouragement may be extended both verbally and actively.

This list could go on and on, but the initial question would remain the same, namely, “Which ones have you encouraged?” As the members of a congregation consider one another, the opportunities to serve are abundant. Christians may avoid the question for the present, but one day all will stand and give an answer.

By David Thomley

 

 

Count It Joy

As humans, we have a tendency to ask “why” when we experience difficulties in our lives. We may look at a situation as being the victim. God gives insight on how to handle these situations so that we may look at them as being a victor. We can expect experience difficulties as a Christian. After all, Jesus, the apostles and first century Christians endured hard times. James tells us how to approach these times in chapter 1.

We must first embrace the trial and count it joy (v.2).  Jesus said that we will have trials (John 16:33), so we should not be caught off guard when they occur.  These trials may be caused by satan, the world, our family and even brethren.   Peter tells us not to be surprised by these trials, but to rejoice in them (1 Peter 4:12-13).  Rejoicing occurred after suffering persecution for the cause of the gospel (Acts 5:41).  These times bring about perseverance (Romans 5:3).  We should look at the difficulty and thank God while adopting a joyful attitude when trials occur.  Persecution, in whatever form it may be, is a part of Christianity and when we suffer for Jesus, we should look at it as a good thing, especially since He suffered for us.

In verse 3, James says that the testing of our faith produces endurance.  Just as athletes train for their sport, we must train for Christianity.  Faith tested brings out the best in us if we remain focused on God.   Trials help us mature as Christians.  If we never have these, then we expect everything will be easy and as a result, we do not grow stronger.  Endurance denotes the ability to have consistency in the face of adversity.  We must stand firm with God, no matter what is thrown at us.  Testing can work for us, not against us (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Endurance must have its perfect result (verse 4).  Too often, we want the hard times to be over with immediately.  Instead of complaining or questioning God, we should simply endure it.   We learn to continue to seek God’s will during the hard times.

Lastly, we must look to God for wisdom (verse 5).  Wisdom is demonstrated when we take what Scripture says and apply it to our own lives.  We must look to the One who is all knowing for guidance.  Persistency must characterize our prayer life.  Especially in times of difficulty, we should become more dependent on God, looking to Him for strength, guidance and comfort.  James tells us to ask God in faith, without doubting (verse 6).

Seeing trials as an opportunity to rejoice is contrary to what the world thinks. Christianity is about seeking to please God.  It is about humbling ourselves in good times and in difficult times.  Christians are commanded to have a joy in all circumstances of life.  This joy occurs because, no matter what we endure, we have the hope of heaven.

By Randy Case Jr.