From the Pen of Paul

Issues Worthy of Division?

In his epistle to the church at Philippi Paul speaks of the spread of the Gospel in Rome. He was in prison when he wrote this epistle, but states, "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear" (Phil. 1:14). He goes on, however, to mention that "Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:15-17). Envy and strife caused trouble in Paul's days; and envy and strife still cause trouble today. James warns, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work" (James 3:16).

Paul was a spiritual giant. Even though some of these preachers were preaching Christ from envious and selfish motives, and even though they were hoping to do him harm, Paul still said, "I therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice" (Phil. 1:18).

Today we are living in a time in our history when the opportunities for the proclamation of the gospel are greater than ever before. Yet, never before has the church been more splintered and divided. Instead of working together to carry the gospel into all the world, we are busy fighting our own "little battles" and seemingly forgetting that the real enemy is Satan. When will we learn that not every issue on which we disagree is worthy of destroying a brother, the church, or hindering the proclamation of the Gospel? It even seems to me that we are so bent on "proving our own position" that we are even "splitting hairs" over how something is stated. And if preacher A doesn't say it just like preacher B believes he should, then he is immediately branded as unsound, liberal, and many other unkind adjectives.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians to try to help them correct the many "issues" they had within the church, he dealt with division, going to law with a brother before the unjust, questions on marriage, eating meats offered to idols, improper observance of the Lord's Supper, misuse of spiritual gifts, and false teaching on the resurrection. In his epistle he gave instructions on how to correct all of these problems and said "The rest will I set in order when I come" (I Cor. 11:34b). However, there was one "issue" that could not wait; there was fornication "as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife" (I Cor. 5:1). Paul told them to take care of this matter immediately and gave them specific instructions to carry out (I Cor. 5:3-13). Should this not inform us that even though all issues are important, some are much more pressing than others?

How does the Holy Spirit dwell in the Christian? Is it representatively through the word; is it a personal indwelling; or is it a combination of the two? How does God answer prayer? How does providence work? How does the Holy Spirit work in the Christian; is His work direct or indirect? I may have definite beliefs about these things based on a close study of the Scriptures; but, I do not believe that I can explain them in such minute detail that everyone will nod their head in approval and agreement. Can we not sit down like gentlemen and discuss these issues without labeling each other as false teachers and accusing one another of things which are obviously not true? And while we are calmly discussing these issues as friends, can we not go on working together on our number one obligation to "preach the gospel to every creature?" Are these issues important? Certainly they are! But, are they as important as spreading the gospel to the lost? Can we go too far on these things and teach things that are sinful and harmful to the church? I believe we can. But, these things that are not as plain, and are not as easily discerned must not be as important as those things which are given so plainly that none should misunderstand.

Let all of us that preach the gospel realize that we have an awesome task! We have been entrusted with a great treasure (II Cor. 4:7). We, along with all saints, have the responsibility of studying and growing in knowledge (II Peter 1:5; 3:18). And we need to remember that this "knowledge" is a knowledge that can never be exhausted or completely gained. So let us study these and all "issues" on which we disagree. But, let us keep everything in proper prospective and never forget our number one obligation to proclaim the Gospel. And above all, we need to remember to "Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). Be honest as you answer this final question. Does this statement in Eph. 4:32 sound much like our brotherhood today?
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Just a few days back a local man was fined because the local government said his dogs did not have enough room in the doghouse to sleep. We do not know how many square feet are correct for each dog to have a dwelling place. How ridiculous! Many people of this day have more respect for dogs and cats than they do human beings. The people in the Old Testament did not value human life more than an old worn-out pair of holey shoes or sandals (Amos 2:6). The nation seems little concerned about the killing of unborn boys and girls. Old folks and infirmed people better get ready because they will be next on the list.

Another thing that caught our attention was a father who was arrested for correcting his child. We have sat around and let the civil government pass laws that have to do with the rearing of our children. The constitution of the United States makes the separation of the government and the home. They tell us that if we pray in a government place we are mixing church and state and such is unconstitutional. If this is so, then for the government to come into our homes and try to run them would be unconstitutional, would it not? It seems to us that everything is all mixed up and that we are getting worse as a nation in these matters — some things are so outrageous and nonsensical. When will the people of this nation stand up and speak out to our politicians and vote on righteous laws and against transgressions and unrighteous ways? Will they ever do so? Have we gone so far that there can be no return? We had better start now, because tomorrow may be too late.