[Editor's Note: The following article on Factionalism by Forrest D. Moyer was written in 1963 for a local bulletin, and then published in 1969 in the Gospel Guardian. This is the first of three articles.]
The Brotherhood and Factionalism by Forrest D. Moyer
(Reprinted from the on-line edition of Focus Magazine http://www.focusmagazine.org )
Saved people are a great brotherhood. Those who are disciples of Christ are brethren. As brethren the kind of love that God has is to motivate our relationship and actions one toward another (1 John 4:7-21). This kind of love knows no bounds. It is the kind of love that "suffers long and is kind," that "envieth not ... is not puffed up." It is the kind of love that demonstrates to the world that we are disciples of Christ (John 13:35). When this kind of love is not present, we fall far short of the spirit of Christ and the will of God for our lives.
That those who were brethren have often been divided is a well-known fact. Sometimes division was inevitable. Certainly so when different attitudes toward the scriptures prevailed. When brethren loved the inventions of men more than the will of God, it was impossible to avoid division. Anytime a human invention affected the whole body (local church) and brought it into error, the practice of each member was involved. The only recourse for the faithful was to separate. Such was true in the case of church support of the missionary society and the use of instrumental music. It is likewise true today in the support of human institutions out of the church treasury.
However, there have often been divisions that were avoidable had brethren followed the spirit of Christ. There is a wide range of things that are neither commanded nor forbidden (1 Cor. 6:12), and, I am persuaded, should never divide brethren. There are also differences of understanding in regard to passages that affect the individual rather than the practice of the whole church. If each of us shall follow God's law of love, we can avoid division in these things. In fact, Paul discusses this in:
Romans 14
Here inspiration deals with matters in this very category. Some believed that meat was improper and ate only vegetables and this in regard to Christ (perhaps believing that Christ did not permit meat). These were weak; they were not yet fully mature. But they were not to be disfellowshipped or abused. They were to be received as brethren and not in order to have strifes and disputations with them. Some believed in observing certain days to the Lord while others did not. Again they were to receive one another as brethren without condemning each other. A person who had belief along this line was told to "have it to thyself before God" (v. 22). He was not to pass it beyond measure nor cut off those who were not in agreement. There could be brotherly love even when this difference existed. The differences did not affect the practice of the local church - they did affect individuals.
For years there have been points of disagreement among brethren on several subjects. We have discussed these candidly and openly without feeling it necessary to withdraw from one another. But it seems that there has arisen a disposition among us that if one does not agree with us fully, he is unsound and cannot be fellowshipped. I do not feel that the soundness of a person is determined by whether or not he has the same opinions as I or is in full agreement on matters affecting the individual. To illustrate: the question of a woman's wearing a hat has been discussed for years. There still remains diversity of thought on this. However, it has not caused a cleavage of brethren and will not unless we begin to press our convictions to the dividing of the body. The same thing is true regarding the qualifications of elders; it is true concerning a Christian's serving in military uniform. There have been discussions as to whether it is sinful to use tobacco in any form. In these things there may be diversity of convictions without factionalizing the church. There are questions concerning marriage that have been discussed for generations and are still being discussed. A calm study of this question without accusing one another of being immoral, soft, or radical is in order. Let us not have the disposition of wanting to cut off brethren. The spirit of factionalism hinders a careful and candid study of the problems.
I suppose that on these points and numerous others there will always be some differences and some things to be learned. We can study and can learn if all of us will act like brethren who truly love each other.
May I suggest to all that we do all in our power to keep from
factionalizing the church. If we feel that a brother has erred
on some point, let us teach him rather than vilify, abuse, or
misrepresent him. Indeed, let us love as brethren.
(1963: published in Gospel Guardian, Vol. 21, No. 29, November
20, 1969)
Our Excuses - What are They Worth? - Author Unknown
(Contributed by S. Tegg)
We can always come up with excuses not to answer God's call
for our lives, but remember this:
Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig tree pruning...
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy was sick to his stomach.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer.
So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worrywart.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did.
But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Father than our Boss. God doesn't look at financial gain or loss.
Satan says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM."
Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross.
Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't want us. But if we are utterly in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, If we obey His Word; He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like. And Thank God for that fact!
Funny How… or is it? Author Unknown
(Contributed by L. Dillinger.)
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says.
Funny how someone can say, "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God).
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week.
Funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.