Articles
The Meanest Member of the Church
The Meanest Member of the Church
By Dan Gatlin
The prophet Isaiah warned, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20). There are many ways in which we can witness this very thing happening in society today. Defense attorneys will often attempt to victimize criminals and criminalize victims. Abortion rights advocates will sometimes state that it is “unkind to bring an unwanted child into the world” (as if an abortion procedure was kind). Liberal theologians argue that the introduction of ancient Gnosticism into modern religious thought (via “The Da Vinci Code”) is a good thing because “at least it gets people talking about religion.” That the world reasons in this way should not be a surprise to any Christian. What is disturbing is when we find such reversed thinking in the church.
If we stand for the truth and do what is right some will be offended (Matt. 15:12-14; John 6:60-66). Those that do right will be accused of all kinds of things, from lying (Matt. 26:64-65) to being evil doers (1Peter 2:12). Jesus commanded, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
Those who have a genuine interest in the spiritual well-being of others are often unfairly judged as causing problems or being mean-spirited. When a brother or sister tries to encourage another to do better in their attendance they may be accused of “being nosey.” When we attempt to correct a fellow Christian who has chosen to live in sin we may be called “judgmental.” Correction, by its very nature, means that we stand opposed to another’s behavior or attitude. When we correct another judgment is involved, but it’s a judgment based on God’s word. Those in sin will often do their best to cast doubt on the motives and actions of the ones doing the correcting. In doing so, they call good evil.
Expressing our concern for the spiritual welfare of others is what we are commanded to do. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). The risk in following this command is that we may be falsely accused of “being mean.” In reality, unkindness often doesn’t appear to be unkind at all. Unkindness doesn’t have to be outright aggression, it often looks like apathy. Consider the following characteristics of the meanest member of the church:
He refuses to correct his brethren when they sin. Rather, he is content to sit back and watch his brother continue in sin, knowing that it will eventually lead to eternal torment. Where is the love and concern for our brethren? How does this demonstrate kindness? This is perhaps the cruelest and most unloving thing one Christian can do to another. Perhaps some overlook sin out of a fear of confrontation. Such fear needs to be overcome: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). Sadly, some preachers and elders possess this characteristic.
He will not teach his family, neighbors, and co-workers the gospel. Again, apathy toward the lost demonstrates a lack of love. Perhaps we fear that irreparable damage to the relationship will follow such an effort. But in choosing to be silent, we are choosing those relationships over God. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 10:37-39).
He is not active in the work of the church. There are at least two problems with inactivity. (1) The inactive Christian will lose his soul. We will be judged based on several criteria in our earthly lives: the words we speak (Matt. 12:36); the things we believe (2Thes. 2:10-12); our works or actions (Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Tim. 4:14; Rev. 20:12-13). Remember, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). (2) The burden of the inactive Christian must be placed on the shoulders of others. The Bible teaches that each Christian has work to do (1Cor. 12:12-28; Eph. 4:16). When part of the human body ceases to function properly (e.g. an arm or leg), other parts of the body must compensate to fill the void. The local church functions as a unit as each member does his part. When one decides to sit idly by, others must take up the void.
He does not attend as he should. How is this unkind? Consider the responsibility given to elders: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17). This passage does not speak specifically of attendance, but application can be made. One indicator that someone is falling away is when their attendance begins to suffer. Members who seem unconcerned about their own spiritual condition (as manifested by poor attendance) bring “grief” to those who are. But this is not just the reaction of elders. All who are concerned with the spiritual welfare of others become discouraged when they attempt to encourage and exhort one another to do what is right (cf. Heb. 10:24-25). To not care that others are concerned about us is truly a form of unkindness.
Remember, the meanest member of the church is not the Christian who confronts others about their sin. It is the member who causes the confrontation by his inconsiderateness, sin, and apathy. Let us always “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
A Moments Wisdom
--The man who covets is always poor.
--Though the home is a palace, yet to a discontented mind it is a prison.
--Those that will not be content with their allotments shall not have the comfort of their achievements.
--Criticism is something you can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.
--It is much easier to be critical than to be correct.
--He has the right to criticize who has a heart to help.
Test Your Bible Knowledge of Psalm 23
(Make an attempt to answer from memory rather than by reading it)
1. Where does the shepherd make me to lie down? __________
2. Into what two places does the shepherd lead me? __________ & ___________
3. Into what dangerous place may I have to walk? __________
4. Where does the shepherd set a table for me? __________
5. What does the shepherd pour on my head? __________
6. What two things will follow me through life? __________
Upcoming Sermons
3/20/22 AM - The Beam in My Own Eye; PM - God’s Instructions for Those Who Live with Unsaved Parents or Children
3/27/22 AM - “Onward Christian Soldier”; PM - The Bible is not a Science Textbook
4/3/22 AM - The Day After Baptism; PM - “Singing the Psalms” (Themed Singing Service)
4/10/22 AM - Keeping Our Minds on the Lord During His Supper; PM - The Laying on of Hands
4/17/22 AM - On Begging Christians to Remain Christians; PM - Habakkuk: From Sorrow to Singing
4/24/22 AM - “They Which Are Alive and Remain”; PM - Don’t Assume
