US Elections and Divisions Among Brethren

As I sit here trying to engage fully in prayer and study, I find my self flooded with tears. Certainly there is plenty to grieve when it comes to the condition of our nation - the hatred, the resurgence of politician and media-fueled (even engineered) racism, the ongoing holocaust of abortion, and of course - the two primary candidates for the highest office in the land. Yet all of this actually pales to what truly is causing me painful grieving right now, and that is the divisions I am seeing between brothers and sisters in Christ.

My heart is drawn back to my old study of 1 Corinthians and Paul's letter that mostly dealt with a divided church - brother against brother. Where each acted in their own personal interests, ignoring the spiritual needs of their brethren, and callously (brazenly, even) continuing in the divisive behaviors. And I see the same kinds of divisions among Christian brethren today - with the bulk of it being in relation to the current election cycle.

You see, the inarguable reality is that we, as a nation, have been manipulated such as Ephesians 6:12 so clearly illustrates - not flesh and blood, but evil rulers, authorities, cosmic powers of the present darkness - spiritual forces of evil... A nation that has been so greatly blessed by God - a nation that has, despite many failings, been a light of biblical values with a foundation planted on Christian values, has chosen, over time, to listen to those "cosmic power of the present darkness", choosing leaders that seem to be progressively more evil. Indeed, as we have actively rejected God in the public square, removed references to Jesus Christ from our schools and our daily function, we have seen a demonstration of the old physics rule - for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction.

And here we are at yet another political season drawing to a climax, and I see those who should stand united against the very evil Paul warned of - instead more divided than ever. We are divided over two individuals, both of which represent a history of evil deeds, corruption, and ugliness that should make even a fairly uncivilized person embarrassed, and we have allowed these two to divide brother from brother - church member from church member, and faithful Christians from faithful Christians.

I see supporters of one candidate deriding brethren who cannot, by their own conscious, support that same candidate. I see a lack of love for the brethren (1 John 3:14).  I have seen pride made manifest in ways I never before have seen among Christians. I have seen so-called "Christian Leaders" fuel this division by jumping out early and supporting some of the most ungodly candidates to be considered, over men (and women) who have demonstrated faith and integrity, and who admit their sins and repent of them. I have seen godly men and women mocked by fellow Christians, and even the use of logical fallacies to denigrate believers for not falling in line.

What this election comes down to is this - do we have faith in God that He is in control? I mean - do we GENUINELY believe that God ordains rulers - and that HE has a plan that supersedes our fleshly bickering and quarreling? Do we truly see where the REAL issue is - that it is NOT with our brothers and sisters who don't feel the same need to cast the same vote as you - but with a spiritual darkness that can ONLY be overcome by the power of Jesus Christ? And do we not see that our own bickering and shaming of EACH OTHER only further puts our light under the proverbial "basket"? If I spend my time deriding my brother in Christ because he or she is voting for a candidate I find reprehensible - instead of seeking to proclaim Jesus Christ as my King and LORD, and THE Answer to every other issue we face - then I have bene worse than a clanging cymbal - but a stumbling block.

If I have, unwittingly, contributed to the divisions among the brethren by my words or actions - then I am truly sorry for that and want to repent. One thing I find even more painful than the thought of either primary candidate being elected is the possibility that I have contributed to divisions among the body of Christ.

Sadly, every division that is opened up by attacks on each other is another victory for Satan, who has long used division and confusion as some of his most effective tools.

Let me close with this prayer:

Lord, I come to you with a broken heart. A heart broken because we have brought shame to your Holy Name by placing politics, fleshly desires, and pride before you in our lives.  I pray LORD for my own words, thoughts, and actions to NOT be divisive to the body, but to be only the words of truth - words that edify believers, that lead to conviction to the lost, and that point to Jesus Christ - giving YOU all the honor and glory.

And LORD, I pray that I would remain humble through this all, relying not on my own strength or wisdom, but crying daily for your wisdom. Lord that I would forgive those who have done me wrong, and that I would myself receive forgiveness for any words or deeds that may have contributed to divisions between brethren. 

And finally, LORD, help me to have faith that all is in your hands. Help me to understand my responsibility is to speak truth, in genuine love.  And LORD, please help your people stand firm on your Word - may all honor and glory be yours now and forever - AMEN

Where You There?

Jesus was preached...
                               ...were you there?

The Word of God Proclaimed...
                              ...were you there?

God was glorified...
                              ...were you there?

The Holy Spirit was present...
                              ...were you there?

Someone needed to hear your encouragement...
                              ...were you there?

Someone needed a hug...
                              ...were you there?

A young preacher poured his heart out...
                              ...were you there?

A broken heart was mended...
                              ...were you there?

The Lord spoke...
                              ...were you there?

In local churches, brothers and sisters in Christ assembled, sung songs and hymns of praise (Ephesians 5:19),  the Gospel was proclaimed (Acts 15:35), and many who profess the name of Christ were absent.

In a church somewhere - those assembled rejoiced as another soul came to saving faith...

In a local church, a life was changed...

Maybe in YOUR church...
                              ...were you there?

Missing In Action

This post is going to reflect my heart - and unfortunately, in large part - my fleshly heart. My heart aches tonight. After what I believe was a great Sunday School lesson that dealt with idols in our lives, a spirit-led message this morning that was an incredible encouragement to me (the preacher!) about the Authority and Power we have to fulfill Christ's commands and to walk in His ways... And after speaking from Titus 1:4-9 in this evening's service with a joyful heart...

My heart aches because there were huge holes in our congregation. Some because of personal situations, some because they were "busy", some - well, who knows how it goes. My heart aches, not for me personally - though I will freely admit that I do often (usually illogically take it personally), but because of the missed opportunities - opportunities for those missing to assemble together to worship the Lord - to whom we owe so much and can never repay. Opportunities to fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ - both to receive encouragement, and also to lift up others who look forward to that fellowship. They missed an opportunity for personal spiritual growth. They missed the blessing of lifting up their voice in corporate worship.

Our lives are filled with choices - choices that will either reflect your relationship with Christ, or will betray your broken relationship with everything else. While the choice to "attend church" is, ultimately, personal - there is a reason the writer of Hebrews recorded the words:

"not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,

and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

I suppose I am an anomaly when it comes to church. Some might chalk it up to being "the pastor" - after all "I have to go to church"...  though it doesn't work that way.  I don't just look forward to "going to church", I get great joy BEING the church - walking with my brothers and sisters in the faith.  I crave the fellowship.  I desire the sharpening.  I want to help others, as I myself am lifted up by others.  I feel empty if I miss the assembly with my local church.  But it hasn't always been that way.  When I first trusted Christ, I wanted to be "at church" every time the doors were opened.  But as time went on, and the "new" wore off, my zeal for church attendance began to wane.  

But - it all sunk in - I had the wrong attitude about church.  It wasn't about "going to church", it is about BEING the church - our relationship to each other as we look to God.  Over time, the joy grew in simply being with fellow Christians.  The words of Christ when He said "love the brethren" began to really come alive.  Romans 12:9-13 suddenly gained new life and traction in my heart:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

I honestly can say - I love every one of my brothers and sisters in Christ - with a particular love for those who among the flock God has entrusted into my care. Indeed - I don't just enjoy being in the company of my church family. I don't just look forward to singing with them... I need them.  I need the experience of being with my other family.  I believe that we all benefit from the time together. 

And to be honest - while the person who is absent misses opportunities - those "left behind" also suffer.  For some, it is simply missing someone they care about. For others, it is a genuine discouragement.  And possibly most troubling of all, voluntary absence can become a stumbling block to those already struggling with their relationship with the Lord.

Looking back to those early days of my faith - when the "new" began to wear off - it was the faithfulness of those who, despite challenges and personal troubles, still placed the assembling together as a priority in their lives - that helped to mold my heart and helped me value the opportunities to come together.

Far too often, we don't look at "church membership" through the right lens.  Church doesn't exist for the purpose of satisfying our fleshly desires.  Church exists to glorify God - to fulfill Christ's command to make disciples.  The local church exists to edify, exhort, teach, lead, hold each other accountable, and to live life - together.  In fact, this is the core principal behind the motto/byline of Clinton Missionary Baptist Church:

Grace - Faith - LIFE!