Truth Magazine

By Dennis C. Abernathy

Nothing is more hurtful and cancerous to a local church than to have a few members with a critical, carping and negative attitude. Such an attitude is infectious and a few “well-placed” gripes and criticisms sprinkled with several timely “innuendos” and “open-ended questions” can sour a church’s spirit and enthusiasms and turn a peaceful congregation into a contentious, bitter battleground.

The following suggestions are offered as we seek to evaluate our attitude toward the church with which we might work. A member’s relationship with local churches depends very much on attitude.

1. Examine Yourself. How do you talk to your brethren? What about outsiders? Are your comments positive, encouraging and edifying, or, do you spend your time criticizing the church and those who are trying to make right decisions and grappling with the problems the church may face, so that a peaceful and scriptural solution may be reached?

James says, “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned” (Jas. 5:9). Peter says, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Pet. 4:9).

2. Concentrate On “Building Up” And Not On “Tearing Down. ” Are your remarks and comments offered to help the church grow, or, are they merely given out of envy, bitterness or malicious motives? We must exercise care to “let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth” but always to speak “what is good for necessary edification” that we “may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29).

It is much easier to “tear down” than it is to “build up.” I am reminded of a little poem entitled “The Wrecking Crew,” which reads as follows:

I stood on the streets of a busy town,
Watching men tear a building down:
With a “Ho, heave, ho,” and a lusty yell,
They swung a beam and a sidewall fell.

I asked the foreman of the crew,
“Are those men as skilled as those you’d hire if you wanted to build?”
“Ah, no,” he said, “no indeed.”
Just common labor is all I need.

I can tear down as much in a day or two,
As would take skilled men a year to do.”
And then I thought as I went on my way,
Just which of these two roles am I trying to play?

Have I walked life’s road with care,
Measuring each deed with rule and square?
Or am I one of those who roam the town,
Content with the labor of tearing down?

3. Never Cut Down And Criticize Something Unless You Have A Solution Yourself And Are Willing To Work To Implement It! Anyone can criticize! The story is told of the man who said he was afraid he was going to be of no use in the world because he had only one talent. The preacher said, “Oh, that need not discourage you. What is your talent?” “The talent of criticism,” the man said. To this the preacher replied, “Well, I advise you to do with it what the man of one talent did with his. Criticism may be useful when mixed with other talents, but those whose only activity is to criticize the workers might as well be buried, talent and all.”

Some criticize decisions made by the leadership in the church. They criticize the business meetings, but never attend one to offer suggestions to help. Others criticize the teachers, but never volunteer to teach themselves. Not a few criticize the preacher, and all too often that is the sum total of their effort. I was once told that you don’t need to know much about preaching to be a preacher. Just start and a great many of the brethren will tell you how to do it!

Some criticism is needed and can be helpful, if it is the right kind and stemming from the proper attitude. William Penn said it well: “They have a right to censure who have a heart to help.

4. Go To Your Brethren if you have a complaint. Go to the person involved and talk to him as a Christian should. Don’t ever engage in gossip, backbiting, and whispering campaigns to others. Do your best to communicate your complaint to your brethren in the right way. Usually this will clear the air and take care of the problem unless there is some malicious intent or an ulterior motive involved. Brethren need to talk to one another as brethren!

5. Ask Yourself The Question, “If every member of the church here had my attitude, what would the church be accomplishing right now?” Attitude and disposition are so very important. They can build friendships or make enemies. Jack Hyles said, “I want to be willing to make enemies because of my position but not because of my disposition.”

6. If You Disagree with a specific program of work or activity the church is engaged in on “scriptural” grounds (not just personal opinion or through stubbornness), go to the leaders of the church and discuss it with them. If it is wrong, the church needs to stop it I But first they must know it is wrong. If it is a matter of judgment, maybe a solution can be reached with all examining all sides. But above all, don’t undermine the work of the church, the elders, and the preacher by complaining and accusing, behind the back. Not only is this sinful, but it is cowardly!

Attitude! How important it is. Examine yours, my friend and brother. May I examine mine. Is your attitude helping the church or hurting it? Think about it.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, pp. 397, 409
July 4, 1985

By Dusty Owens

The Scriptures have much to say about my relationship with an erring brother, what my responsibilities are toward him, and what my attitude and disposition must be at all times. My brother may be wrong morally or doctrinally, but no matter, I have been given a definite way of dealing with him, prescribed by God in His word.

Too many times problems occur between brethren because an extreme or radical position is taken. One extreme is to ignore all error in hopes that the problem will go away. Perhaps this was the thinking of the Corinthian brethren in I Corinthians 5. Tolerating persistent and flagrant sinning among God’s people is against the will of God. “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out the old lump, even as ye are unleavened” (vv. 6-7).

The opposite extreme, and one that I judge to be radical, is to consider everyone in error, morally or doctrinally, that does not believe exactly as I do on all issues. Certainly, I have a responsibility before God to study intently all Scriptures that deal with every major issue before us, and to reach some kind of conclusion if I can. But, it just may well be that over some highly controversial issue that brethren have argued over for decades (or centuries), I am still undecided. I should not be stampeded, threatened or cajoled into “lining up” with one faction or another. I should not be deemed 44suspect,” or “unsound” because I am studying conscientiously. Also, I should be able to ask questions of those I consider more experienced and wiser without setting off a ripple of gossip and slander as to my “soundness” or faithfulness to the Lord. If I expect brethren to treat me with love and compassion, even in controversy, then should I not be willing to treat my brethren the same way?

A Man Overtaken In Trespass

We all “sin and fall short of the glory of God,” but occasionally, a brother will be overtaken by a specific sin for which he has a weakness. He does not intend to do wrong, but it happens. Furthermore, he continues to attend services, as he should! Too many times, as brethren find out about the sin of the weak brother, there is discussion in whispered hushes about him, instead of a sincere effort on the part of a spiritual brother to go to him in a spirit of gentleness that he might be helped and restored back to the faith. There seems to be far too much apathy and disinterest on our part. Is this a sign that there is no “spiritual one” among us (Gal. 6:1-3)?

We should be impressed with the kind of attitude or disposition of heart expected of us by God in our dealings with those we are trying to help. When we go to another who needs our teaching and exhorting, it must not be with a spirit of arrogance and superiority, a holier-than-thou display. If we are truly “spiritual,” we will go to another in love, peace, kindness, longsuffering, goodness, meekness, self-control and gentleness (Gal. 5:22-23).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, p. 396
July 4, 1985

By Don R. Hastings

My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons

Don’t Try To Be A Follower Of Christ And Show Partiality And Favoritism

You cannot be a true disciple of Christ and be a respecter of persons because Christ dealt with all people fairly and without partiality (Mt. 22:16; Lk. 20:21). Jesus taught Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (Jn. 3:1). Jesus, also, taught a Samaritan woman (Jn. 4:7-26). Jesus ate with publicans and sinners (Mt. 9:10-13).

The heavenly Father “is no respecter of persons” (Rom. 2:11). It took a vision and the Holy Spirit sending Peter to the household of Cornelius before he realized “that God is no respecter of persons” and neither should he be (Acts 10:34,35). How can we claim to be faithful children of God and yet show a respect of persons?

We should not refuse friendship with a good person because: his skin color is different; he doesn’t live in a nice house; he doesn’t wear the latest fashions; he is poorly educated; he is not popular with the “in crowd”; etc. We should refuse close friendship with those who are trying to get us to do sinful things (Prov. 22:24; 1 Cor. 15:33)!

An Example Of How To Be Guilty Of Showing Partiality

Christians can show partiality in the worship assembly. The Greek word which is translated “synagogue” could also, be translated “assembly” (see footnote in ASV in Jas. 2). “Vile clothing” refers to clothing worn by “a beggar” (Mt. 19:21), one dependent on the charity of others for his very livelihood. . .” (New Testament Commentaries James, by AGuy N. Woods, p. 108). The rich man is given a place of honor. The poor man is told to stand, which was an extreme discourtesy, or told contemptuously, “sit under my footstool.” They had become judges with evil thoughts because their partiality was motivated by selfishness (Jude 16). Being a friend of the rich meant gaining prestige, and he might share with you some riches, but what could the poor man do for you? Moses told the judges of Israel not to “respect persons in judgment” (Deut. 1:16,17; 16:19; 10:17,18).

Do We Show Favoritism?

Preachers can show partiality by not preaching boldly on a particular sin because it would offend a prominent brother or sister. Elders can show favoritism by bringing disciplinary action on some sinful Christians, but not other sinful Christians. Brethren can form cliques so that they fail to speak to others. Do we show favoritism at home, work, school, etc.?

James points out that these Christians were dishonoring those who honored God and honoring those who dishonored themselves and God. The poor are more likely to become Christians because they don’t have riches to put their trust in (Mk. 10:23-35). It is far more important to be “rich in faith” and poor in material goods than be rich in material goods and poor in faith! The poor, who are “rich in faith,” have the promise of inheriting the kingdom in heaven-a far greater inheritance than the children of the rich (2 Pet. 1:10, 11). The rich speak against the holy name, “Christian” (Acts 11:26).

How To Keep From Being Guilty Of The Sin Of Respect Of Persons

“Fulfill the royal law . . . thou shalt love. . . “(Jas. 2). We are not to pick just certain neighbors to love and “look, down our noses” at all the rest. Jesus taught that everyone is our neighbor, whom we should love (Lk. 10:25-37). If we love our neighbor, we will not hurt him by discriminating against him. We know how it feels for others to be shown favoritism over us, and we must not make someone else feel that same pain (Mt. 7:12).

If a person violates any of God’s laws, he is a sinner and stands condemned unless he obtains forgiveness. The law is like one big piece of glass-break one piece and you have broken the whole thing. A person who would violate one law of God would violate another law if that law displeased him. A person is a criminal if he only breaks one law. I like the way Guy N. Woods put it, “God’s will must be obeyed, not because it commends itself to our sense of what is right and proper, but because it is God’s will!”

We shall all be judged, impartially, by a “law of liberty, ” which sets us free from the bondage of sin (1 Pet. 1:17; Jas. 1:25). None will escape judgment. All will be judged fairly with no respect of persons.

Which one of these two men described in our text would Since we will all need greatly the mercy of God in the you want to sit by you? Would you feel uneasy sitting by judgment, let us show mercy to others now (Mt. 5:7; black Christians? A congregation where I preached had 25:34-35). Mercy is compassionate treatment to those in at one time barred the door of the building so blacks could distress-whether friend or foe, rich or poor, black or not enter. Would you teach the Bible to black people? Do white or red, etc. If we show compassion for all men, we you invite all races to come and worship with you? will not be a respecter of persons.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, p. 395
July 4, 1985

By Daniel H. King

I read recently in the newspaper about a 61 year old man fighting in the courts to keep a 1,000 pound pig in his back yard. This gentleman had bought the pig for his grandchildren when the animal was 8 weeks old and raised it on vegetables, leftovers, day-old bread and doughnuts. Undoubtedly everyone in the neighborhood thought the porker was “cute” until it grew up. Then it became such a “big pig”! The owner was recently notified that he would have to get rid of the creature, since it was a violation of the city ordinance banning livestock within the city limits. Neighbors had started to complain about the animal and this spurred the city officials to action.

When I read this little story of the “big pig,” it reminded me of the nature and character of human transgression. You see, that is exactly the way that sin is. It starts out small and innocent-looking. We think it is cute. But then it grows up. And when it does, it gets bigger than we ever thought it would! No longer is it “cute”; now it is just big and ugly and even scary to look at.

1. Sowing Wild Oats. Many young people today think there is nothing wrong with spending their youth in pursuit of sin. They think that someday they will settle down to home and family life, and when they do, all will be well. But the scars and blemishes left upon their reputation — and more important than even this-their character, will not soon go away. If they are not careful, they will someday awake to the hideousness of what they have created in their own lives. They will look in the mirror and faintly see what others have been seeing all along. And the Frankenstein-monster of their own creating will not soon go away, either. It may take many years to live down the sin of one night!

2. Habits. Everyone has habits. Some are good and some are bad. For example, it is good to habitually brush your teeth and do many other things as a matter of custom which are beneficial to physical soundness and good health. But some of us also do things which destroy either our good health or our good reputation or both. These things start out small and harmless looking, but if left unchecked they will grow into ugly habits. They can be so destructive as even to kill us. Smoking is a case in point. The smoker starts out small, with just one cigarette. Gradually he or she becomes more enslaved to the little things until they are necessary all the time. At the last the habit steals away the breath and chokes out the life. The habitual breathing in of the deadly smoke has been a form of suicide, slow but sure. It did not appear at first to be so bad, till it grew up. By then it was so big in our lives that we could not give it up. Sin enslaves like that (see Jn. 8:32-36). It gradually grows into such a monster that we can’t handle it any more like we could while it was small.

3. Apathy and Indifference. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” wrote the author of Hebrews (2:3). Some folks are not contemptuous of the church, or Christ, or the gospel. They do not make rabid attacks upon the Bible or insult Christianity. They wouldn’t think of it. But what they do is just as bad. They neglect them to death. They put them out of their minds and out of their lives. They don’t think about them and they don’t do anything about them. Thus, when they are approached with the gospel they find that they have become utterly insensitive to its appeal. The monster of apathy has grown to such gargantuan proportions that it has stopped their ears and closed their eyes. It has become bigger and stronger than they are. They no longer control it. It controls them.

Don’t let sin get the best of you. Root it out while it is small and manageable. Better still, don’t let it into your life in the first place!

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 13, p. 403
July 4, 1985