~MINI CHALLENGE~

Take time today to pray for the leaders in your church. Then, as the Lord leads, write to one or more of them and tell them that their labor for the Lord is appreciated. If you have not thought about the work required to shepherd a flock, pray about it right now and thank God for providing laborers for His work. If you are having problems with your local leaders, please read the blog post here and then pray that God will lead you in how to forgive, how to submit to your elders even when you think they may be wrong. Let God work, don't do things in your own strength. He is able, you are not. Church leaders- you don't get away without a challenge. Pray for a specific family in your local body. Maybe visit,call, or write them a note letting them know that you are praying for them. It is a great example to those in the local body. As I have said before about parenting, "If we don't lead by our own example, surely they will not follow"
Mark Cowperthwaite

Not judging one another

You hear it every day from those in the world, "judge not, lest ye be judged" This strikes me funny that folks who never utter a word of Elizabethan era English would say it that way. So what does this verse mean, and why should we not judge one another? What is the difference between teaching and admonishing, as opposed to judging?

I have heard many answers on this subject and will try to avoid making judgment but rather let Scripture speak for itself, truly let God speak by His Word. Romans 14 is pregnant with doctrine and demonstration, and is often picked apart with self-justifying motives. I speak as one who has, in the past, not seen the truth of God's Word, but rather taken what verses fit with my own perceptions and tried to make it say things that it does not. Proof texting is not true to God's Word, and has been the beginning of cults, separatists, and divisions on many subjects. Read Titus 3 to see how Paul felt about those who divide the body, and how Christ feels about His church being divided over frivolity.

Let's look at the passage in question:
Rom 14:10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;
Rom 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
Rom 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

I see sometimes how men(myself included at times) have left a meeting around the table remembering the Lord and are so preoccupied with what someone said that we don't think they mean. We are there to honor the Lord Jesus, not pick each other apart. How are we to know the hearts of others? Though past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior, I know God changes me daily. If this is true, then we should not take the worshipful words lifted up towards our Savior as material for personal assault. This is just one example of judging.

Discernment, I believe, is the other end of this. Should a brother, known for a sinful lifestyle, be set in a position of authority or recognized service such as an elder? No, of course not. 1 Tim. 3 tells us that elders are to be exemplary, men of great character that have lived out their lives in such a way that we can see God's power and love in them. To discern, one must be in touch with the Spirit of God. I cannot put words behind it exactly, but sometimes I just know when someone is out of fellowship. God seems to give us clues to know who is really sold out for Him and who is not. Either way, we are not to follow men. They are just examples and shepherds for our little local flocks.

In an effort to understand the situation more, I pray you will continue to study this out. Pray about your attitude, motivations, and why we are so quick to render judgment when it is obviously God's place and not our own. If someone offends us, we are to forgive. If we have a problem with the elders, we are to submit. This defies human reasoning, but leaving it up to the Lord to work in hearts will be much more effective than "praying against" someone, or revolting. Gossip, bitterness, and division are the fruit that follow those who love to sit in the place of judgment. Read Psalm 1 and see how it applies to this issue.

I pray that this has been helpful to all. I welcome input and criticism if I approach something the wrong way. Be prepared, in that case, to point to Scripture and not man's arguments. We ought to use God's Word as our only authority, and I welcome discerning persons to help me when I am wrong. May the Lord richly bless as you continue to submit to Him in all things.

Mark

Tackling one of the "not one anothers"

Gal 5:13 For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
Gal 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.

There is so much to be said from this passage when we see the context of it. I am going to stick to verse 15 for now. This is the negative side of "one anothering" and I hate to have to admit that at times I have been guilty of talking badly, jesting coarsely, and spending my time tearing down instead of edifying my brothers and sisters in Christ. Often I have what I feel to be a valid complaint. Not always has someone wronged me, per se, but that I see the body is suffering in consequence of someone's actions indirectly. Of course, logically this would be best remedied by complaining, railing, and gossip, right? WRONG!

Q: So, is it my place to complain and talk badly about my fellow laborers in Christ?
A: Eph 4:32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.

Q: Is it acceptable before the Lord to have an attitude in my prayer of pride and spite?
A: Mat 6:14 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. "
Luk 18:10 -14(speaking of the publican and the Pharisee)"for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Q: What would be an acceptable time to "air out" our differences, and what could be roadblocks to finding solutions?
A: Read Matthew 18:12-20 and see what Jesus said about the situation. There are other passages, look around and see the Bible is rich in examples, teaching, and daily life experiences of many who came before us and did things God's way.

We ought always to find these answers in God's Word, our final authority on all things. When we have troubles, we will find our answers when we submit ourselves to God, coming fervently and humbly in prayer. We must pour out all that is self and simply submit to all the Lord has for us, all that He has commanded us to do.

Some may feel that I have left this incomplete, and I have for this reason. The best way to learn is not to ask someone for the answer, but rather seeking the answers from God's Word. Studying to show ourselves approved unto God is a privilege that we have as believers, at least in my country, have taken for granted far too long. Too often we think it is the job of the pastor or teacher to instruct us in all things, yet God desires us to be committed to His Word not just on Sundays or mid week services, but all days. Let's work together to not just practice one anothering, but to truly seek God each day. If we take the time to pray about our struggles and listen to God's Spirit leading and His Word, we will find we have much less trouble with how to handle things.

I pray this has been a help. I am recruiting a few close brothers and sisters to collaborate on this. All material submitted will be checked carefully with Scripture. Please let me know if something slips by me that is not scripturally accurate. I consider it joy to be able to help in practicing these "one anothers" and look forward to insight from many others. Let God be our guide through His Word, have a great day, and go "one another" someone.