A group of elders must maintain a clear focus as they work in and for a
congregation. No matter how tense a situation may become, the relationship
between the elders and other people in the congregation must not degenerate into
an “us” and “them” relationship. While the elders surely need to work together
as a cohesive group who respect and appreciate each other even when they
disagree, they do not exist to maintain a hostile relationship with the
congregation. They do not by design distance themselves from other Christians in
the congregation.
As a group and as individuals, they always seek to be approachable, respectful,
kind, and considerate to all. They do not have a self-centered attitude that
easily becomes paranoid. They do not live or function in a state of feeling
sorry for themselves. Instead, they know they exist for the good of all. They
cultivate a spirit of sharing, not a spirit of control. Even the member (who is
ruled by emotion as he [or she] disagrees with the congregation’s appointed
leadership) has no reason to fear approaching the elders. Even the elders’
enemies (if they have any) are touched by the elders’ commitment to a spirit of
fairness and respect.
Unfortunately, there likely will be situations that arise in which others seek
to create a gap between the appointed leaders and the congregation. However,
when such situations arise, leaders will do two things. First, they will not
knowingly contribute to the existence of the gap. Second, they will function in
a fair objectivity, kindness, and respect even if they are victimized. The
ability to respect self as a Christian is critical to the elder even when
another Christian does not respect him. Elders do these two things because they
place their faith in God’s Spirit exemplified in Jesus Christ.
Cultivating the Spirit of “Us” When We Differ
Two things powerfully affect a congregation’s reputation in its locale (among
religious and non-religious people). First is its helpful involvement in local
human needs. Second is the way it handles and settles internal disputes. People
see and respond to respect, kindness, and compassion when such are expressed for
people outside the congregation and inside the congregation. When a congregation
allows Jesus Christ to teach them to care about people in distress, the purposes
of Christ are served well.
There is a tremendous “us” emphasis among Christians in the New Testament. The
“us” emphasis occurs in the midst of a divisive conflict that permeated most of
the congregations mentioned in the New Testament. Interestingly, the “us”
emphasis in the New Testament occurs in the looming shadow of a controversy that
simply would not go away. A deep resentment that predated Christianity often
infected early Christians.
The descendants of Abraham through Isaac had a unique view of themselves. The
Creator God Who lives began working after the entrance of rebellion into His
creation. The God of Creation was dedicated to rescuing His Creation so it could
serve God’s intended purpose. A part of that rescue involved the descendants of
Abraham through Isaac.
However, those descendants confused God’s method with God’s objective. Instead
of seeing themselves as an important vehicle to help achieve God’s objective
(see the statement in Isaiah 49:6), they saw themselves as God’s objective. The
problem was not to be seen in God’s objective, but the problem was (and is) to
be seen in the way they looked at themselves. When a group of humans see
themselves as God’s objective instead of those who assist God in achieving His
objective, mega problems develop.
First-century Jewish Christians were extremely irritated by gentiles converting
to Jesus Christ without first becoming Jewish proselytes. Consider all it took
to convince Peter to go to Cornelius in Acts 10. Consider the reaction of Jewish
converts to Peter’s visit in the home of a gentile in the first of Acts 11.
Consider the Jewish Christians’ reaction to Paul’s work among gentiles in Acts
15. Consider Peter’s fear of Jewish Christians’ reaction to his eating with
gentiles in Galatians 2:11-14. Quickly we realize that Jewish converts like
Paul, Barnabas, Mark, Silas, Timothy, Aquila, and Priscilla were exceptions
among Jewish converts to Jesus Christ, not the rule.
Speaking from the perspective of the Jewish convert (especially in the Jerusalem
area): “The very idea is ridiculous! How could any righteous person think that a
former idol worshipper could come to God just because he (or she) has faith in
Jesus Christ. How could anyone think a gentile is as desirable to God as is a
devout Jew! The idea that a gentile with nothing more than faith in Jesus Christ
can come to God is too foolish to be taken seriously! Were they born in God’s
chosen people? No! Have they submitted to the cutting process of circumcision?
No! Do they know the purity code of foods [examine Leviticus 11]? No! Has their
life been governed by the proper interpretation of God’s laws given through
Moses? No! Why, even after baptism, there are so many flaws in their concepts of
God it is downright laughable! And we are supposed to accept and associate with
them just because they believe Jesus is the Christ? I don’t think so!”
For a clear view of this conflict, see Romans 11 and 14, 1 Corinthians 8, and
Ephesians 2:11-22. Paul wrote to churches that were either composed of gentiles
or had a majority of gentiles. One of the reasons for Jewish resentment of Paul
was due to his association with gentiles—consider Acts 22:21, 22.
The Christian spirit of “us” did not just occur because people who were
different were converted to Jesus Christ. Paul declared that spirit must be
cultivated and nourished. One of the greatest tragedies within Christianity
occurs because Christians are certain they are pursuing God’s purposes by
resisting a spirit of “us” among those in Jesus.
Biblical Emphasis on the Christian Spirit of “Us”
The Christian spirit of “us” is expressed in statements made by different New
Testament writers in “one another” scriptures.
Consider statements made by Paul concerning the Christian spirit of “us.” We
will begin with his statements to the congregation in Rome:
Romans 12:5— . . . we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.Consider Paul’s statements to the troubled congregation in Corinth:
Romans 12:10—Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor . . .
Romans 12:16—Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 13:8—Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Romans 14:13—Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.Romans 14:19—So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Romans 15:5—Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus . . .
Romans 15:7—Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:14—And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.
Romans 16:16—Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
1 Corinthians 11:33—So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. (Regarding division created by the way they observed communion)Consider Paul’s statements to the congregations in the provinces of Galatia:
1 Corinthians 12:25— . . . so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (Regarding division created by miraculous gifts)
1 Corinthians 16:20—All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (Regarding mutual devotion to each other) [also 2 Corinthians 13:12]
Galatians 5:13—For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.Consider Paul’s statements to the congregation at Ephesus:
Galatians 5:15—But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:26—Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galatians 6:2—Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Ephesians 4:2— . . . with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love . . .Consider Paul’s statements to the congregation at Colossae:
Ephesians 4:25—Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:32—Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 5:21— . . . and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Colossians 3:9—Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices . . .Consider Paul’s statements to the Thessalonican congregation:
Colossians 3:13— . . . bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12— . . . and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you . . .Consider this statement from the author of Hebrews:
1 Thessalonians 4:9—Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Thessalonians 4:18—Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Hebrews 10:24— . . . and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds . . .Consider these statements made by James:
James 4:11—Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.Consider these statements from Peter:
James 5:9—Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
James 5:16—Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
1 Peter 1:22—Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart . . .Consider these statements from John:
1 Peter 4:9—Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
1 Peter 5:5—You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
1 Peter 5:14—Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
1 John 1:7— . . . if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.The emphasis on Christian relationship is nothing less than strikingly remarkable. Just in the “one another” statements, the earliest Christians were urged to realize that they were in the same body, were members of each other, were to prefer each other, were to do the things that promoted peace and building each other up, and were to base acceptance on Christ. Proper attitudes toward each other would eliminate division. Togetherness would produce a mutual caring and serving that would eliminate biting, devouring, and envy. It would express itself in burden-bearing when trespasses occurred. This forbearance in love would express itself in kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness using Christ as the standard. The end result would be a powerful love that bonded Christians together with God’s love for people as the pattern.
1 John 3:11—For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another . . .
1 John 3:23—This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
1 John 4:7—Beloved, love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:11—Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:12—No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
2 John 5—Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.