THE TRUTH IN PRINT, May 2001
A
Publication of the
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YOU SAW IT SO DEAL WITH IT!
Think of how much stronger the church would be if each member did deal
with what they saw others do wrong. I’m amazed at times as to how news travels of other’s wrong doing. Brethren will call
all the way across the country to tell about something a member did wrong, but
not drive across town to correct it!
Notice the “immediate” approach of our Lord in the following:
Mark 10:13-15
“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and
his disciples rebuked those that brought them. [14] But when Jesus saw it, he
was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the
When Jesus saw things that displeased Him then he spoke to correct those
who displeased Him by so doing.
Luke 18:22-25
And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still
lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall
have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." [23] But when he had heard
these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich. [24] And Jesus
looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter
the
Yes, Jesus looked right at him, the one needing to hear it, and told him
what a grip his fortune had upon him.
Mark 12:32-34
And the scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher, You have truly stated
that He is One; and there is no one else besides Him; [33] and to love Him with
all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to
love one's neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and
sacrifices." [34] And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently,
He said to him, "You are not far from the
His reply here has a different quality to it. This man’s wise answer
concerning obedience from the heart left him to ponder the next necessary step
which would be to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Today I hear many
sensible, discrete answers concerning how important it is to love God, but so
many come from those not in the church Christ built. What should I say?
Luke 11:45-52
And one of the lawyers said to Him in reply, "Teacher, when You say this, You insult us too." [46] But He said,
"Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with
burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with
one of your fingers.”
Here’s something for those who listened as he rebuked others, and then
thought that they’d explain to Him that His rebuke was offending them as well.
(You can’t help but grin when you read them saying this to the Lord.) We don’t
have to wonder how they felt upon hearing what He had to say. And we need to
understand that He didn’t back off and not say it. We learn from Jesus what we
are to do when someone says, “Well that would mean that I’m wrong too!” Or,
“Well if it’s true that they’re wrong in doing that, then that means that we
can’t be doing this other thing!”
These are all interesting scenarios, and show plainly when Jesus saw
things that needed to be corrected that He dealt with the individuals involved.
Based upon the knowledge of divine truth that He possessed He adequately
corrected their error with the truth.
Members’
Responsibilities
You see frequent requests for information concerning the responsibility
of elders, preachers and deacons. Why are there so few concerning
responsibilities that all members share in relation to God’s Word and upholding
its precepts?
Here are a few for your consideration.
Luke 17:3
One’s own statement often betrays their attitude of shying away from controversy and
refusing to deal with error and sin in another's life. How often do you hear “Don’t you
forgive even if they don’t repent?” While such might be a question for a novice
in the church it certainly betrays the gross ignorance of one who has been in
the body of Christ for years. (Read carefully Lk.
17:3; “even as God in Christ forgave you” in Eph. 4:32). Some, with no
intention of straightening anything out, prefer to say that they “do” forgive
those who sin against them without demanding repentance. That is much easier
than dealing with the sin. Not only do they err, but souls are lost that could
be saved when brethren think like this!
No wonder liberal churches have “counselors” for preachers. Why? So
members can talk and talk and talk and talk about it rather than deal with it
scripturally!
I John 1:6-7
I was amazed when I began to hear, “The only fellowship I know of is
that of the local church.” This person
thinks as long as the other person distances himself from being a member of the
same church that he is, then he doesn’t have the responsibility of severing
fellowship with them when they do not walk in the light. How can one have
fellowship with another who walks in darkness? Oh the games that
brethren will play!
In 1 Thes.
Matthew 18:15-17
Also, each member has the responsibility to see that the steps Jesus
presented in Matthew 18:15-17 are carried out in sequence.
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him
his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained
thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two
more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the
church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Why mention
this? Because we should notice “who” it is that’s charged with polluting God’s
Word. These verses show that the “members” themselves are held responsible! It
is the members who do not endure sound doctrine. According to the
NASB Dictionary Help, “endure” is the word “anecho; from Greek
303 (ana) and Greek 2192 (echo); to hold up, bear
with -.” They are the ones held responsible for diluting the Word. And
having turned away from sound doctrine they heap to themselves teachers after
their own carnal lusts.
Do members where you worship assume responsibility for upholding the
Word of God and applying it? If you see or hear something wrong then deal with
it!