“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13).
The General ABM theme for this year is taken from the passage above. In it, we see that there are those who have been given, and anointed, for the task of perfecting of the saints (Christians), the work of the ministry (the called ministers) and the edifying of the Body of Christ (the building up/encouragement of the Church membership). These jobs are not easy ones. It takes much diligence, consistency and faithful repetitions to see that these things are fulfilled.
The ministry is responsible for so much, and as fellow members, you are too. Your job description is outlined in Galatians 6:1, 2: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” This is a great mandate for each of us to follow. It must be done with great care and concern for the souls of our spiritual siblings, and it must be done with great purity of heart and motive. Let’s break this passage down a bit to be sure we are aware of the job by which God will judge our labors.
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault…” Take note that this does not read, “If a brother has a fault.” It is important that we recognize the difference, because too many of us move under the assumption that because someone doesn’t do things we think they should or move under the same premise as we would, they should be corrected. This does not leave much room for personalities, preferences, individuality or uniqueness that are all things given to each human being by God. It is important that we first be able to recognize if the person has been overtaken, or simply has a weakness in one area or another. A weakness is something that can be and should be endured as a person is taught properly. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1). Being overtaken in a fault is different than simply being at fault or having a fault. It would serve us all better if we knew the difference.
“…ye which are spiritual…” This portion of the passage speaks to a specific demographic. Proper restoration cannot come from just anyone. Being spiritual doesn’t mean you simply faithfully attend church, are a tither or that you can even speak in tongues more than anyone else. It doesn’t happen by your tenure as a Church member either. The spirituality needed to restore others is one that is seasoned with fasting, consistently studying God’s Word and in steady life application of that Word. That application of His Word to our own lives will, more often than not, reveal to us where we are spiritually deficient and what faults we, too, must repair before we are able to help another.
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye” (Luke 6:41, 42). It would be rather difficult to help a brother or sister in their great struggle with their fault or mote in their eye, while we are struggling to see at all with the large, protruding beam that is in our own eye.
“…restore such an one…” Restoring takes work, whether it is on a classic car, a piece of furniture or a precious human soul. It takes some corrective work and some tender polishing. It takes cutting away the bad and accentuating the good. Whether correction, rebuke or simple advice is used, it should never be given to expose them or make an example of them.
There is no room in restoration for those who will only be responsible for critiquing or being critical or searching for someone whom they can discipline or correct. It is a false love that will constantly look for and point out every detail of what another person is doing or has done wrong. There are no offices in the Body of Christ that hold those credentials. No position, appointed or not, has a job description which mandates one be critical of every person, at all times for all manner of reasons.
This brings us to the rest of that portion of the verse, “in the spirit of meekness.” If you cannot have and demonstrate a spirit of meekness, and your position or duty does not mandate your authority to point out the fault of another, it is best you leave it to the Lord and His government within the Church, as someday it could be you who is in need of such consideration and/or correction—"considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” This last part of the passage leaves no room for neglecting our part in the bearing of burdens of our brothers or sisters. In fact, it says, that doing so fulfills Christ’s law. So, if I cannot be critical and go about setting people straight or giving them my opinion, how can I be part of their restoration? You can bear their burdens. Bearing means to carry, endure and exercise longsuffering. Bear them as they struggle with that fault. Bear them when they are in the altar on Sunday morning, and it’s time for lunch. Bear them when they don’t treat you just as you feel they should. Bear their tendency to do that thing you don’t agree with or that makes you cringe. Bear them as they carry that fault (burden).
As you do, you will find the longsuffering that should be part of your salvation experience as the fruit of the Spirit come to full bloom. You will see the soul under the load. You will see the resemblance of that person to you, since you are both from the same Father. You will see they aren’t any more crucifixion-worthy than you are. You will realize their true worth to you and to the whole Body, and you will begin to pray harder than ever before. When that happens, you may actually be helping restore them before that fault ever overtakes them. The power of intercessory prayer that has been fortified with genuine love for someone is more powerful than we can ever imagine, and it can serve the Church as a great preventative measure of retraining rather than restoring.
So then, no member is without a job in the Body of Christ. Not being listed in Ephesians 4:11 does not excuse you from responsibility. What are you doing about that brother who is perpetually late? What are you doing about that sister who constantly gossips or complains? What are you doing to help the disrespectful child on your pew? What are you going to do about it? Will you take matters into your own hands? Will you be critical? Will you go tell them how awful they are? Or will you be spiritual yourself, and labor to bear their burdens before their fault becomes a overcoming stronghold that draws them completely from the fellowship? You must do something. So, develop a personal, biblical, spiritual strategy, and then put it in motion. Be deliberate and diligent in your efforts to keep your brother and sister in the Fold.
Remove your beam and then go in the right spirit to make a difference. This is the true spirit of the ABM “TILL WE ALL COME.”
No comments:
Post a Comment