“STIRRING UP STRIFE”
Some six times in I Corinthians 14, Paul uses the word “edify” (3,4,5,12,17, and 26). The word edify means to build up. Our lives are hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Christ is our life and, hence, we do all we can to build up His body in a local setting and in other places with other congregations. A man like Diotrephes truly enjoyed having the preeminence over others in the Christian faith (III John 9). Such individuals need to be avoided because what they do is tear down and not build up.
Those who go around causing divisions and offenses contrary to God’s will do so because they are striving to serve their own bellies (Romans 16:17,18). They lose interest in the body of Christ and go about to establish their own righteousness not considering the righteousness of God. Since the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel it is evident that such individuals spend little time with the gospel (Romans 1:16,17). If the bulk of my day or work is spent on trying to destroy other Christians, it is time to look again at what our lives are about.
It is not wrong to disagree with each other over matters of judgment or matters of faith. If the disagreement occurs what should drive us all is a desire to be Christ like in the way in which we disagree (Romans 8:9). Matters of judgment can be studied out without either party reaching the conclusion that the other is now unfaithful because they disagree (Romans 14:1-5). Matters of faith can, likewise, be studied out to be sure that what we understand is the will of God (Acts 17:11; II Peter 1:10). When there is a difference of opinion how should we react? Let us listen carefully as our Lord explains how we are to be toward those who are our enemies.
We are to love those who are our enemies. We bless those who spend time cursing us. We do good to them that hate us and pray for them who despitefully use us (Matthew 5:44). The reason behind such actions is that we desire to be children of the Father (verse 45). Standing for the truth requires not only the defense of the truth but, likewise, the spirit with which we defend it. Here is what the Scriptures state about Stephen prior to his delivering the sermon that led to his death. His enemies could not resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). Let our audiences or those whom we disagree with know where we stand but, likewise, why it is that we stand there.
Our job is not to recruit others to our side. Since our life is hid with Christ, we have no side but His. Our best efforts then should be put forth to explain the Lord to men around us in order to bring them to saving faith. Even those who go astray are to be approached by the spiritual ones (faithful Christians) with a spirit of meekness (Galatians 6:1). We want them to come back to faithful service to the Lord. If our attitude is not Christ-like, then we may become guilty of causing others to blaspheme God instead of turning to God (Romans 2:24). Is it possible for us to know the will of God? How could there be saving faith if such is not possible?
We can therefore know what the truth teaches (John 8:32). We can impart that truth to others (Matthew 28:19). We can, likewise, know when others depart from that truth which saves. If, in the process of trying to win them back, my language or action is one of an enemy, how do we serve the cause of Christ by such actions? Truth can never be compromised in any effort to reach the lost. Neither can truth be denied by my actions in those efforts to reach the lost. There are any number of individuals who know the truth but forget what that truth is all about. It is about salvation. It is about edifying the body of Christ so that the body gets stronger and not weaker by my actions.
Does truth change? The writer of Proverbs declares that hatred stirs up strife (Proverbs 10:12). When strife occurs, is not someone, somewhere acting less than a mature Christian? Paul reasoned with the brethren in Corinth that they were acting like children. The proof of such statement was the existence of strife among them (I Corinthians 3:3). Brethren let us stand for the truth; be opposed to error and do all in our power to reach those who are lost. May the love of Christ motivate our efforts.