g f ; * ' : - pestilent barrier between brethren? What madness it is that causes us to tolerate a schism which robs us of such a treasure as the fellowship of the saints. How important it is, if we have been wronged —» or think we have — to forgive, and, if we have wronged a brother, to ask forgiveness! This fellowship of the saints is more, of course, than a pleasant social warmth; it is a steadying, stabilizing factor. This is movingly illustrated by the experience of a man of whom I read, who had been strongly, almost agonizingly, tempted along a certain line. In a distant city, far from home, that temptation came to him sud denly, fiercely. The circumstances seemed made to order •for the tempter. No one would have recognized him, for he was a stranger. But he turned from it, with difficulty but deep determination. Later he said that he received strength in that struggle as he thought of his church, at home, and of the friends, the fellowship he loved there, and the prayers, he knew were being offered for him by his fellow Christians. It is a terrible thing to allow our relationship to another Christian to be so strained that, in the time of his soul struggle, any thought of us might lead him to say of us, “What does he care? He probably would just as soon see me fail, and would spread the news far and near if I did!” The Apostle Paul describes the church as a body, Christ’s body, and teaches, thus, that we cannot have a healthy church unless the members “ have the same care one for another” (I Cor. 12:25). It is a physical tragedy when there takes place a malignancy in the body. It is a spiritual tragedy, beyond description, when there is a malignancy in the church, the body of Christ! Sometimes this takes place in thè home. The father, or mother, or some other member — or members — of a family become offended, alienated from one or more of the others. What happens? Not only harmonious home relationships are made impossible but spiritual growth and usefulness comes to a halt. The family altar is either discontinued or is carried on in a farcical, superficial manner. Children become disillusioned and cynical. Damage is done that may never be undone. If you are a member of a family like that, I plead with you, don’t let the sun go down on that wrath of yours, once more! Bow before God and ask His forgiveness! Ask the forgive ness of each other! Ask your children to forgive you — and hope and pray that the damage you have done is not beyond repair! Here is another reason why there should be no bar riers between brethren: it is not possible to possess Chris tian joy and blessing while they are permitted to remain. You just can’t have the blessing of God on your life when things are sour between you and others! You may claim joy and peace — you may insist you are rejoicing in God’s love and power — but you’re only deceiving yourself. James raises the question whether the love of God is in a man who has no compassion for a brother who needs food, or clothing. What of the one who has feelings of vengefulness, animosity, envy or others of that hate ful family of emotions mentioned by Paul, in I Cor. 3, and Peter, in I Peter 1 and 2, and by all of the New Testament writers, in so many places? I hear much of revival, these days, but I believe no revival is more desperately needed than a revival of love for the brethren! It is silly to hope that we are going to see spiritual exploits in evangelism without first being thoroughly, honestly reconciled to our brethren! If there is anything standing between you and an other, face it! Fix it! Do it now! You will never be useful, or truly blessed, until you do!
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by W ilbu r E. Nelson
FEBRUARY, 1964
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