K ecently I was in conversation with a certain Chris tian man — one whom I consider Christian, at least. Listening, but not taking part in the conversation, was another man who, I am equally sure, is a Christian. After the first man had left, the other said something which made very clear to me that the reason he had not joined the discussion was because of an estrangement between himself and the other. To me, each of these men seems to be a fine, likeable and thoroughly Christian person. Still, there is between them this barrier, this unpleasant, unprofitable and, I’m afraid, unChristian feeling. It troubled me — it still troubles me, not only because I know it is there, be tween those two, but it is typical of the relationship of many, many people. I know of cities where there are cliques of Christian people, moving in their own little orbits — or should I say their own little cages? — with no apparent fellowship or affection for any but those ’in the clique. You will not often find them willing to acknowledge this condition. If they will acknowledge it, they will more rarely admit that they can do anything about it. The all-too-frequent attitude is: “ Don’t look at me! I’m not mad at anybody! He’s the one . . .!” or, “They are the cause of it!” And so it goes. It is time for plain talk about this, and here’s as good a place to start as anywhere. One can think of many reasons why this sort of thing is wrong, and harmful, and shameful, but here are a few things to consider. In the first place, it is offensive to God. It is an abomination to Him! If He has commanded us to do anything, if there is anything upon which our fellowship with Him depends, it is “ a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.” It was no mild, bland little suggestion which the Holy Spirit authored through the Apostle Peter; it was an outright, divine command: “ See that ye love one another with a pure heart, fer vently.” And, “ (lay) aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings . . .” (1 Peter 1:22, 2:1). How forthrightly, though lovingly, the Spirit of God rebukes the Corinthians through Paul: “ . . . whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as (carnal) men?” (I Cor. 3:3). One may rationalize his wrong attitude, and excuse his strained relationship with others, and may find other, undiscerning people who will give him aid and comfort in this fratricidal folly, backing him up in his poor little anemic contention that it’s no fault of his, but he .needn’t think that God is deceived by all this smoke screen. He may tell himself and others that it isn’t really
a case of malice or lack of love — just a “ clash of per sonalities,” or an absence of social homogeneity — but he probably knows better. And, unquestionably, God knows better! Jesus was explicit about this, as He said, “ If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way. First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt. 5:23, 24). Don’t tell me this is something which applies to a previous dispensation! It is a principle and condition on both sides of the cross, and to reject it is an offense to God and a desecration of Christian privilege! Also, it is weakening — even destructive — of Chris tian testimony, not only before other Christians but, even more lamentably, before those who are not Christians. They expect, and have a right to expect, something of us. I read of a little boy in a swim suit, at the beach, who approached a lady, saying: “ Say, Miss, do you be lieve in God?” She answered, “Yes, with all my heart.” Then he asked, “ Do you read your Bible every day?” Again she answered, “Yes.” “Good,” he said, “W ill you hold my quarter? I want to go in the water, and I’m afraid I’ll lose it.” The point I make is the same as was made where I read that: a person’s Christianity ought to show up in his life. And when it does not, whether or not he himself questions the validity of his testimony, there will be those who will be confirmed in their cynicism and strength ened in their skepticism, because of his failure. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without” says Colossians 4:5. The Amplified New Testament puts it this way: “Behave yourselves wisely—living prudently and with discretion—-in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians). . . .” A poll of thoughtful Christians of mature judgment as to what is the primary responsibility of a Christian would undoubtedly yield many answers such as this: it is to let his light shine and his life bear witness to the power and love of Christ within him. The non-Christian couldn’t care less whether you are Arminian or Calvinist, and your views on the millennium and other eschatological matters are of insignificant, if any, concern to him. He probably doesn’t have the vagu est idea what those things mean. But he does recognize —and hold in contempt—a so-called Christian who acts in an unChristian manner. It is sad when he sees a Christian speak hastily, or harshly, or do something else in an unguarded moment which will be regretted later. But it is tragic when he sees a professing Christian prac ticing sustained attitudes of unkindness and ill will. A good deal of the power of the testimony of the early church lay in the fact that the love of the brethren for each .other was clearly manifest to the world about them. Is the world of our day less influenced by us because that love is lacking? Estrangement between Christians is calamitous, fur ther, because it is fatal to Christian fellowship. John Fawcett expressed truth when he wrote, “ Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; The fellow ship of kindred minds is like to that above.” When that tie is broken, when one Christian lives in an attitude of rancor toward another, no such fellowship is possible. Each must make his way, in a dark and hostile world, without the light and warmth the other could and should give to him. This is a matter of prime importance to the Christian, this need for communication, for cohesion, for under standing and encouragement from his fellow believers. Isn’t it sad to see that need denied, because of a persistent, THE KING'S BUSINESS
Rev. N elson is founder-d irector of “ The M orn ing Chapel H o u r h e a r d on selected radio stations around the world. H e is also pastor o f the M etro politan Bible Church o f Compton , California.
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