Among the saddest occurrences regarding "the church" of today are the horror stories about seeking people who were discouraged in their desire to let God rule their lives. Sometimes this occurs in a misguided desire to "keep God's kingdom pure." Sometimes it is a reaction to the persons' past evil. Sometimes it is an impatience that refuses to allow a person time to grow. Sometimes it is human disgust because the person did not meet human criteria for faithfulness.
The reasons are many, but the stories are too similar. A young, or weak, or uninformed baptized believer fails to meet the expectations of "more mature" baptized believers. The baptized believers feel "a duty to God" to confront the young, or weak, or uninformed baptized believer. The results are (1) the devastation of the young, or weak, or uninformed baptized believer and (2) the self-righteous conviction of the "more mature" baptized believers that "the Lord's will was accomplished."
Without question, this is a difficult spiritual age. The misguided purposes of Christians intensify the difficulties. Spiritual devotion and fervor too frequently are bound to social or political agendas. Materialism is rampant. Pleasure is an "openly pursued god." Selfishness is an acceptable way of life. Despair frequently rules. These conditions too commonly exist inside the kingdom among those who would be insulted by serious suggestions that God is not the center of their lives!
To increase the difficulty, generational differences result in glaring disagreements. Generations learn differently. Some learn through lectures. More learn through interaction. Generations have different languages. Some speak the language of logic. More speak the language of emotion. Generations express joy differently. Some express joy through quiet devotion. More express joy through emotional praise. If baptized believers spoke honestly to each other, they would confess that they feel more threatened among the "called out" than encouraged. In our preferences and fears, we are more likely to want protection than seek encouragement.
Please, let us not feel sorry for ourselves. It was more difficult, more demanding, more confusing in the first century church than it is now in America. If you doubt that statement, consider several incidents in the New Testament. Look at the neglect in Acts 6: 1-7. Note the crisis it created. Reflect on the problems that could have been created if the problem had not been resolved with respectful equability. Look at Acts 10. Note how much God did to convince Peter to go to Cornelius' home. Read verse 28 and note the crisis. Read verses 44-48 and underscore the crisis. This situation existed because people wanted to be baptized! Read Acts 11:2, 3 and note the reaction of Christians to the fact that Peter went into the home of a person who was not a Jew. Read Acts 15. Particularly note verses 1 and 5. The situation involved a highly emotional problem in the Christian community! To see how emotional, intense, and enormous these problems were, read Galatians 2:11-13. An apostle and missionary to people who were not Jews were part of the problem!
At the foundation of these enormous, emotion filled problems was [to us] an unthinkable issue: who can and cannot be baptized because he/she believes that the resurrected Jesus is the Christ! Their struggles make our "worship conflicts" look petty! Some Jewish Christians simply could not accept the baptism of people who were not Jews unless (1) they first converted to Judaism and (2) did things the Jewish way. Some Christians who were not Jews thought these Jewish Christians were either (1) correct or (2) void of spiritual understanding.
What was the solution? Hebrews 12:12,13 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Galatians 6:1,2 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Romans 14:1,10 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. ...But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 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 John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.
Christians should encourage each other--even when they are weak and fail.
Romans 14 provides some excellent insights into Christian interaction when there are what they consider significant differences. Paul urged the Christian community in Rome to extend acceptance to each other. He provided three reasons for doing so. (1) God is able to make them stand even if they disagree (verse 4). (2) God understands motives (verse 6). (3) God made an enormous investment in each person's salvation (verse 9,13,15, 20).
No person [not one!] you see any day of your life is beyond God's desire to forgive. In fact, God already paid the full price for that person's salvation. That is certainly true within the church! God finds no delight in "purifying" the congregation by destroying a baptized believer! If the person needs redirection, gently redirect him/her! If he/she is weak, help him/her stand! See him/her as a person Christ died for (just as he did you!) rather than a person who must conform to your opinions and conclusions! Pray for the struggling! Be a source of the Lord's encouragement, not an avenue for Satan's discouragement!
We did not invent discouragement among Christians. Remember Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Timothy 1:15), Demas (2 Timothy 4:10), Alexander the coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14), and Diotrephes (3 John 1:9,10). The early church had destructive people. Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
Thought Questions:
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 9