(Lake Junaluska, N.C. – May 13, 2006)
Let’s turn first of all to Romans 14:1919Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Romans 14:19), “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” And then in Ephesians 4:1-41I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:1‑4), “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation [calling] wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body.” I refer to these verses by way of introduction. This afternoon I would like to speak on “the things which make for peace.”
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, the Apostle has laid out the truth of the great mystery of Christ and the Church. He has spoken of the nature and unity of the Church as the body of Christ, being composed of believers from among both the Jews and the Gentiles. As members of His (mystical) body, we are inseparably linked together with Him who is the head by the indwelling Spirit of God. Then, in the last three chapters of the epistle, the Apostle exhorts the saints based on the truth he has laid down in the first part. What I have read in Ephesians 4 is the first of these exhortations. It is the first, and perhaps, the most important one. It is that we should walk worthy of our calling by expressing in practise that we are “one body.” This means that God would have His people walk together in visible unity here on earth, and He has given us special grace to do it (Eph. 4:77But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7)).
We are to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the [uniting] bond of peace,” which means that we are to keep in practise what is true in fact. And what is true in fact? That we are one body! God would have us to express in practise the truth of the “one body.” “The unity of the Spirit” is a practical unity that the Spirit of God would lead the saints into. Someone put it this way; “It is that which the Spirit of God is forming to give expression to the truth of the one body.”
We are not called to keep the unity of the body of Christ. God Himself keeps that intact, and no force or evil can break that unity. However, “the unity of the Spirit” is a practical thing that we are responsible to keep. God keeps the unity of the body, and we keep the unity of the Spirit. Now brethren, this means that if peace is to exist in the assembly, it must be through our efforts according to the grace given to us. God is not going to do it for us; we are the ones responsible to keep it! And it hardly needs to be said that we, the Church, have failed miserably in keeping this unity. It was first interrupted in Acts 5:1-111But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Acts 5:1‑11), and then again in Acts 6:1-41And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:1‑4). And it has been broken many times since!
That peace and unity should exist among God’s people can be seen in the fact that in every New Testament epistle the writer mentions his desire for the condition of “peace” to exist among those to whom he wrote—except one—1St John!
I suppose, in the final analysis, every one of us is either a peacemaker or a troublemaker in the assembly. We are either helpers toward the condition of peace or we are the catalyst behind the disruption of peace. That may be oversimplifying it, but my point is that if we’re not being a help, then we’re probably being a hindrance, because there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground.
Now notice in the verse that I read in Romans 14 that the Apostle said, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.” But strangely, he didn’t specify what those things were. Perhaps the Spirit of God has left it that way so that we might be exercised about it.
This afternoon I would like to bring before you a few of those “things which make for peace” so that we all might be exercised about doing what we can to promote peace in the assembly. I am hardly qualified to speak on these things for I have surely failed in this myself, but they do need to be brought before us for present exercise.
Bind on Humility
Let’s turn to an incident in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus when there arose a dispute among His disciples. We will get some very helpful remarks from our Lord on this subject. Turn with me to Mark 9:33-3733And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. (Mark 9:33‑37), “And He came to Capernaum: and being in the house He asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me.”
In the latter half of Mark 9, the Lord put His finger on three great causes for the disruption of peace among the disciples and then laid out a remedy for each. The first thing is wanting to be great.
Just prior to this, on the Mount of Transfiguration, the disciples were privileged to have a glimpse of the coming kingdom. Seeing the Lord in His official glory when He would reign in power in His kingdom gave rise to some carnal thoughts and desires among the disciples. They speculated as to who among them would have the greatest place in the kingdom. But it only created a dispute.
You know, the “desire to be first” has been the cause of much strife among the Lord’s people over the years. I realize that no one will ever come out and say that they want to be great or prominent among their brethren, but their actions will often tell the story. Wanting to have the ascendancy over our brethren—having a place of importance—stirs up a spirit of competition, which invariably results in jealousy and strife, and the disruption of peace. At the bottom of it is that subtle enemy—pride. Proverbs 28:2525He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat. (Proverbs 28:25) says, “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife.” And another proverb says, “Only by pride cometh contention” (Prov. 13:1010Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. (Proverbs 13:10)).
I’ve been told that Mr. C. Koehler used to say that before he was saved he wanted to make something out of himself in the world. Then when he got saved and came among the Lord’s people he wanted to make something out of himself in the assembly. But he said that he had to learn that both were wrong! He had to learn that “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:55Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5)). This is a lesson that we have to learn too!
When I worked for my father’s business of wholesale crafts there was a certain character in a competitor’s company that was well known for his self-importance. His name was Morley Brown. My dad had run into him a few times at a mutual client’s place of business, and he used to tell us about him. He was this big, imposing figure that thought a lot of himself. I had heard stories about him from other people too, and I secretly wanted to meet him, to see him in person. But I never did. Anyway, suffice it to say that his reputation went before him. One day we heard that the company that he worked for went bankrupt. We made contact with the receiver and went over and bought up a lot of their inventory at 25 and 30 cents on the dollar. There was just the receiver on the premises and the old head warehouseman who had been with the company for years. So, as we were working, I thought that this would be a good opportunity to ask him about Morely Brown. He said, “Morely Brown! We all hated him!” “We had a name for him that we would use behind his back. We called him ‘Big Fat, Big Shot, Brown!’” The sad part about it is that Morely Brown didn’t know that his swaggering confidence and self-importance made him obnoxious to others. I’m sure he would have been stunned to learn that people didn’t appreciate him.
Now brethren, could it be possible that we carry ourselves in the assembly in such a way that people say behind our backs, “There goes ‘Big shot, brother so-and-so!’” Do we come into the meeting hall with an air of importance? You know, we mustn’t use the assembly as a sphere to exalt ourselves, but our actions tell on us, and we don’t realize it. Others can see it in us, but often we can’t. Let’s remember that “every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:1414I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:14)).
The Lord addressed the apostles’ “desire to be first” by giving them an object lesson on humility. First, “He sat down,” and called them together. Taking a low place to address the disciples was a symbolic action pointing to the need for lowliness and humility. He then “took a child” in His arms and told them to “receive” a child in His name. Isn’t this beautiful? The Lord Jesus was so lowly that He had time for children! I suppose receiving a child means to help the child in some way. It would be an insignificant thing in the eyes of most people. It isn’t something that brings a person into the public eye, but God would see it, and approve of such a work. In this, the Lord was teaching His disciples that they should be content in doing small things in service that may not be noticed by others.
But such is contrary to human nature. We want to do the things that get us noticed. We need to search our hearts about this. Do we want to go to some faraway country to give out tracts because it will get us noticed? You might get your name in the “Notes of Interest,” but that’s not the reason why we should want to serve the Lord. Perhaps your assembly is going to put on some function; it’s interesting to see who volunteers for the jobs that get one noticed! We’ve seen younger brothers in conferences wanting to pray or say something, but when it comes time for the prayer for gospel in the back room, they’re not there! I don’t want to discourage any of our younger brethren from taking part in the meetings, but just think of what it looks like. Such behaviour can’t help but make one wonder.
We had the pleasure of having brother Cam Wilkin and his wife in our home recently. We got to talking about the older brethren who have passed on helpful advice. I asked him to tell me some of the things that were given to him. He gave me one gem of note. He said that old brother Millar (now long with the Lord) said to him, “Cameron, stay small; those who get big get taken away.” What good advice that was!
When we get occupied with our own importance then we’re in a danger zone. We are not thinking soberly. Paul said, “I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Rom. 12:33For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)). I just love the verse, “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.” J. N. Darby’s translation says, “ ... going along with the lowly” (Rom. 12:1616Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Romans 12:16)). That’s the path for us.
We’ve been reading through the gospel of Luke at home, and the only person whom we found (correct me if I’m wrong) whom the Lord specifically went to dwell with was a man of little stature—Zacchaeus. Isn’t that significant? The Lord dwells with those who are of little stature, spiritually speaking! It reminds me of Isaiah 57:1515For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15), “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” These are the two dwelling places of our Lord—in the “high and holy place” above, and with the “humble” and lowly on earth below. It shows us that the Lord will not identify with those who are high and mighty. Jeremiah told Baruch, “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not” (Jer. 45:55And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. (Jeremiah 45:5)). That’s a good word for us.
Peter exhorts us, “All of you bind on humility towards one another” (1 Peter 5:55Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5) – J. N. Darby Trans.). Should we come to an impasse in the assembly where there may be a dispute over something, the remedy is to go down—to take the low place. Mr. Darby said, “Submission is the healing principle of humanity.” He also said, “Pride is the cause of division, and humility is the secret of fellowship.”
I remember hearing of a man who was traveling on a mountain pass in the Andes with his fully burdened mule. The road was extremely narrow, enough for just one traveller at a time. It was carved out of the mountain with a steep cliff off the side. He went along, winding around one corner after another. When he came around one bend, what do you think he saw? Another man with his fully burdened mule looking at him! What were they going to do? The two men discussed the possibilities. They asked each other if they could remember how far back it was where the path widened so that two could pass. Perhaps they could back the animals up to that point. Another idea was to unburden the animals. But while the men were discussing it, the two mules figured it out. One got down on his knees and got as close as possible to the mountain, then the other stepped around him! Now if that isn’t nature itself teaching you! (1 Cor. 11:1414Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? (1 Corinthians 11:14))
It’s really the answer to every impasse we may come to in the assembly. Each one of us is to go down, esteeming the other better than themselves! (Phil. 2:33Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3)). It is the way each local assembly is to “work out” its “own salvation with fear and trembling”—which is the real meaning of that verse (Phil. 2:1212Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)). We are responsible to work it out by each one imitating the pattern of Christ humbling Himself (Phil. 2:5-85Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5‑8)). By each one doing that, the assembly saves itself from the inroads of the enemy who is seeking to spoil the unity.
The problem with pride is that we can’t see it in ourselves. Like Morely Brown, who imagined that he was well thought of by all, we can be deceived by our self-importance. There was a man whom Mr. Hayhoe used to tell us about who was proud that he was humble! It was in the days of the Great Depression, and this brother was criticizing another brother for spending money needlessly. He said, “I’m not going to spend money on clothing; I’ll make do with the clothes that I have!” When the brother folded his arms, his elbow could be seen through a hole in his shirt. Mr. Hayhoe said that you could just see the pride sticking through the hole!
Wanting to be great is a clear sign that we are not truly living in the presence of the Lord, because no flesh glories in His presence (1 Cor. 1:2929That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29)). Actually, we’re letting everybody know our real state—even if we don’t know it ourselves. So, the remedy for wanting to be great is to get into the presence of the Lord with reality, and then we’ll be humble. The prophet Micah said, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Mic. 6:88He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8)).
Judge a Critical Spirit
As the Lord spoke of receiving little ones, John was reminded of a man they saw whom they believed must be refused. He said, “Master, we saw one casting out devils [demons] in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us” (Mark 9:3838And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. (Mark 9:38)). No doubt, in telling the Lord this, John thought that the Lord would pat him on the back and approve of what was said to the man. But instead, the Lord gently rebuked their critical and censorious spirit, saying, “Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:39-4139But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40For he that is not against us is on our part. 41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Mark 9:39‑41)). In this, the Lord put His finger on a second thing that surely disrupts peace among the saints—being critical of others.
You can see how criticism would have naturally risen in their hearts. What this man was doing was particularly embarrassing for the apostles, because it was something that they couldn’t do! Back a little further in the chapter, a man came to them and asked them to cast an evil spirit out of his son, but “they could not” (Mark 9:1818And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. (Mark 9:18)). And here they come across a man who was casting out demons—the very thing they couldn’t do! Naturally, they didn’t like it and found fault with him. Oh, brethren, let’s be careful of having discontent for another person’s excellence. You know, finding fault with others usually has SELF behind it! Oftentimes, when a person wants to put himself forward, he will put others down. It’s a common thing, and we’ve seen it many times.
This reminds me of a story D. L. Moody, the famous preacher from the 19th century, used to tell on himself. He and Sankey had been in England on a preaching tour, and they met a young man named Henry Moorhouse who also preached. He said that he would like to come to America and preach, so Mr. Moody invited him to Chicago to preach in his church, thinking that the man would never come. Well, some time later, when Moody was back in America, he got a telegram from New York from Henry Moorhouse, asking if it were all right for him to come to Chicago to preach. Moody reluctantly told him to come, but advised him that he would not be there, for he had a previous commitment in another city. Moorhouse came and he preached on John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)—the love of God. Night after night he took up the same passage, and it made no little effect on his hearers. When Mr. Moody returned, he asked his wife how the Englishman was doing. She didn’t know how to answer him, so she said, “Well, he doesn’t preach like you do.” Moody said, “Immediately I didn’t like him!” But Moody went to hear him preach that night, and it made such a profound effect on him that it changed his preaching for life. Moody always preached hell-fire gospel messages, but this man entreated souls by the love of God. Henry Moorhouse became known as “the man who shook the man who shook the world!” In the end, Mr. Moody had to eat his words. I guess the old saying, “A shut mouth gathers no foot!” still holds true. We may not like somebody because they’re doing something for the Lord that’s not exactly as we think it should be done, but that’s not good. Let’s not be critical.
In John’s words, we can see what their problem really was. He said, “We saw one casting out devils [demons] in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.” Notice how many times John uses, “Us” and “We.” It shows that the apostles had lost sight of the Lord being their center and saw themselves as the center of things! And they judged this man’s work according to that. Needless to say, their focus was all wrong.
Brethren, we need to guard against having a party spirit. It’s so easy to fall into. We have been given so much—I’m speaking of the privileges of being gathered to the Lord’s name—but we have to be careful not to think we’re above other Christians. It’s only by grace that the Lord has gathered us to His name. We have nothing to be proud about. If we are a testimony, we are a testimony to the fact that the Church, as a public witness for the Lord, is in ruin. There would be no remnant testimony if there were no ruin. That’s certainly not something to be proud of!
You’ll find in Scripture that whenever the Lord’s people got their eyes off Him, and got occupied with themselves and their privileges, God came in with a judgment whereby those privileges were taken away. You see it in 1 Samuel 4 when the children of Israel were in a battle with the Philistines. They were in a low state and thought that if they brought the ark out onto the battlefield then they would win the battle. They said, “Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies” (1 Sam. 4:33And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. (1 Samuel 4:3)). Notice, again, it was all “Us!” When the ark came among them, they shouted with a great shout. It was sort of a hooray that they had the ark—that they were God’s chosen people. Not that it wasn’t true, but their focus was on themselves rather than on the Lord, and He would not identify with it, and allowed the ark to be taken away from them.
Again in Jeremiah’s day, the people were in a low state and were glorying in the fact that they were at the place where the Lord’s presence was, and where He had put His name, saying, “The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD” (Jer. 7:44Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these. (Jeremiah 7:4)). The Lord said (through Jeremiah) that they should remember what happened in Shiloh where He set up His name first. He took it away from Shiloh, and He was going to take it away from them at Jerusalem too (Jer. 7:12-1612But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. 13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; 14Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. 16Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. (Jeremiah 7:12‑16)).
Again, in Micah’s day, the prophet said, “They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? None evil can come upon us. Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest” (Mic. 3:10-1210They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. 11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. 12Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. (Micah 3:10‑12)). The people were in a low state and were occupied with Jerusalem being the divine center where the Lord’s presence was, but again, the Lord promised to take it away from them.
And in Revelation 3:14-2214And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:14‑22), the assembly at Laodicea was occupied with itself and what it had, but little did they know that the Lord was about to spew them out of His mouth! Is this not a voice to us? What will the Lord do with us today if we are occupied with our place at the divine center of gathering? He will humble us as He promised to do with His people Israel. “I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of My holy mountain. I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD” (Zeph. 3:11-1211In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. 12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:11‑12)). Perhaps that’s why we have the difficulties we do.
The Lord rebuked the apostles for having a critical spirit toward this man who was evidently not against them. The man was not walking in the path in which the Lord had called the apostles, but they were to leave him with God. Note, the Lord didn’t tell His disciples to join the man. And I don’t believe that the Lord would have us to go into a path that other Christians may be walking in, just because there might be some observable blessing in it. We are surrounded with church denominations that are professedly doing something for the Lord, but He has called us outside of that. We meet in His name alone. We are to leave such with the Lord. This reminds me of “Eldad and Medad” who remained in the camp and prophesied. Joshua told Moses about it, but Moses said, “Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” (Num. 11:2929And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them! (Numbers 11:29)) Notice again, Moses didn’t tell Joshua to join them. He was to leave them with God. Paul had the proper attitude when he said, “Whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Phil. 1:1818What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (Philippians 1:18)).
So, we don’t want to focus on ourselves, and we don’t want to focus on the wrongs of other people. The prophet Isaiah seemed to have a case of the latter. He was like a man in a chamber with six windows. He looked out one window and saw the monopolist, and he cried, “Woe!” (Isa. 5:8-98Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! 9In mine ears said the Lord of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant. (Isaiah 5:8‑9)). He looked out of another window and saw the drunkard, and he cried, “Woe!” (Isa. 5:11-1211Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. (Isaiah 5:11‑12)). He turned and looked out a third window and saw the profligate and again cried, “Woe!” (Isa. 5:18-1918Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 19That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it! (Isaiah 5:18‑19)). He looked out a fourth window and he saw the hypocrite and cried another “Woe!” (Isa. 5:2020Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)). Then he looked out a fifth window and saw the philosopher satisfied with his wisdom, and again cried, “Woe!” (Isa. 5:2121Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21)). He looked out a sixth window and saw the unjust leaders and magistrates, and cried, “Woe!” again (Isa. 5:22-2322Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! (Isaiah 5:22‑23)). Isaiah saw a lot of things that weren’t right among the people of God, and he cried one woe after another on all that he saw that was wrong.
Then, in the next chapter (6), those windows close and a window in the top of his chamber is opened. Through it streams the glory of God, and all at once Isaiah sees himself in the light of God’s holiness—as God saw him. He saw his own wretched condition and cried a seventh woe, but this time it’s on himself! “Woe is me! For I am a man undone; because I am a man of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:55Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5)).
You know, it’s easy to point out the faults and failures of others, but just remember, “He who throws dirt loses ground!” Regardless of how true it may be, that alone will not help the situation. We need to get to the seventh woe, so to speak, in our souls, where we see that we have failed and have contributed to the low state among God’s people. We need to see that we are no better than our brethren. It wasn’t until Isaiah put his hand on his own heart and owned his own failure and his part in the ruin among God’s people that the Lord could use him! In the eighth verse, the Lord calls him to a work whereby he prophesies to the help of God’s people. He still pointed out the wrongs, but he also was able to bring in the principles of restoration, as seen in the rest of his prophecies.
On another occasion the sons of the prophets cried, “There is death in the pot!” They could see something was wrong. But it doesn’t take a spiritual person to identify that. Things that are wrong are relatively easy to identify, but it takes a man of God like Elisha to bring in a remedy. He said, “Bring meal. And he cast it into the pot” (2 Ki. 4:38-4138And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. 39And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. 40So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. 41But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. (2 Kings 4:38‑41)). That changed everything—the problem was solved. The meal speaks of Christ. We need to bring in Christ, and His rights, and then matters will be healed. When Christ has His rightful place in the assembly there will be healing and blessing. “Thou, O Solomon (a type of Christ), must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred” (Song of Sol. 8:1212My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. (Song of Solomon 8:12)).
This principle holds true for this world too. Today the world is filled with violence and corruption, but we are told in Psalm 72, “He (Christ) shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth” (Psa. 72:6-76He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. (Psalm 72:6‑7)). When God brings His first begotten into the world, and He takes His rightful place, there will be peace and blessing.
Be Careful Not to Give Offence in Word or Deed
The Lord went on and said, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:42-4842And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:42‑48)).
Here, the Lord touched upon another thing that disrupts the peace among His people—giving offence in word or deed. Oh how careful we need to be in all that we say and do! Sometimes we think that if we don’t mean any harm, nor have any ill feeling against a person, that it’s OK to say something negative or demeaning about them. Often times we’ll do it in jest, but it still hurts them, and it’s still wrong.
You know, if we truly live in the presence of the Lord, we will learn His meekness and His lowliness. He said, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:2929Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29)). Lowliness keeps self down, and meekness gives place to others. Lowliness is a character, but meekness is a manner. Someone who is meek is careful not to give offence. That’s why it has often been said, “Meekness gives no offence, and lowliness takes no offence.” Someone might speak unadvisedly with his or her lips and give offence, but if we are living in communion with the Lord, we’ll be lowly enough not to take offence at such comments. “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psa. 119:165165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)). Nevertheless, that doesn’t give us licence to speak to people any way we want to.
God has given each one of us a screen, or a filter in our minds, and we are to use it as we interact with others. Before we open our mouths, we need to weigh what we are going to say in the sanctuary of His presence. You’ll notice that children don’t have that filter, or at least they don’t have the moral discernment to use it. They’ll just say whatever comes to mind. Often it can be embarrassing for their parents. But when we get older, our sense of moral discernment begins to develop, and we filter out things that come to mind before we let them come out of our mouths. Some people, however, never seem to develop this. They are known for opening their mouths and letting unguarded words fly, and they leave a trail of offence behind them. We need to pray, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psa. 141:33Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)). Proverbs 13:33He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:3) says, “He that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” I’ve noticed that those who are in the habit of dishing out criticism are those who are least able to take it when it comes their way!
Perhaps the apostles thought that they were being faithful to rebuke that man who was casting out demons. But really, they were giving offence. Some people think that they can go around offending people with their remarks and write it off as being faithful. They think they are justified in speaking in a certain way because they’re standing for righteousness, but really, it’s just the flesh. You know, we can get so occupied with righteousness—that is, doing what is right—that we lose our focus on the Lord. But Christianity is more than just doing what is right. The principle that rules in Christianity is not righteousness, but grace reigning through righteousness (Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)). If we get into the wrong mindset, then the enemy of our souls can work to deceive us. We are told in 2 Corinthians 11:14-1514And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14‑15), that Satan often works in a context of righteousness. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:14-1514And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14‑15)).
Don’t misunderstand me; righteousness is not to be set aside. It is to have its proper place, and if so, it will lead to “peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” in the assembly (Rom. 14:1717For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17); James 3:1818And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:18)). But if righteousness is our focus, it will lead into legality, and Satan will surely work in that context to deceive us. I say it again, “grace” is to “reign through righteousness.” When people get focused on a line of righteousness, being “righteous over much” (Eccl. 7:1616Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? (Ecclesiastes 7:16)), they become armchair critics in the assembly and they make a nuisance of themselves. Often this spirit will manifest itself in going around the assembly like a cop, crying “woe” on everything and everybody that doesn’t come up to their standards.
I knew a younger brother (no longer with us) who had not been in the assembly very long, and he already had had a confrontation with just about every person in the meeting. What a shameful testimony! As I recall, he was always more righteous than the rest of us. Down through the years many have been deceived in this way. They think they are doing right, but they are just stirring up trouble. Though they may not realize it, it’s because they think that they are better than their brethren. I dare say that’s dangerous ground to be on.
There have been thousands who have fallen on the stone of righteousness. We had a brother who had to leave the assembly for God! In his mind, he just had to leave; to do otherwise would be to let the Lord down! He believed it was the only right thing to do, but was it right? Of course not! Being occupied with righteousness can be deceptive. Think of all those who have gone off in division in the last 150 years. They did what they did because they thought they were being faithful and standing for God. I tell you, if the Lord is not our focus, and we only have righteousness before us rather than Him, then we could get deceived by the enemy. We need to be careful of this, brethren.
As a remedy for giving offence, the Lord laid down a universal principle that can be applied to saints or sinners. He said, “If thy hand offend [snare] thee, cut it off.” He said the same for our “foot” and for our “eye.” He was speaking figuratively, of course. The point is, that whatever we are doing with our “hand” or “foot” or “eye” that is offending people and spoiling our testimony, however dear it may be, we are to give it up. In other words, we are to practise self-judgment.
In conclusion to the above remedies, the Lord addressed the state of soul of His disciples (vss. 49-50). It was necessary if they were going to implement those things in their lives. He said, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another” (Mark 9:5050Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. (Mark 9:50)). In Scripture, salt is a figure of the energy of personal devotedness to the Lord. If there is real devotedness of heart to the Lord with us, we will be in a right state of soul, wanting only His glory. Consequently, we will not be a source of trouble among our brethren. This means that reaching a condition of peace among the brethren starts with ourselves! We need to draw a circle around ourselves and start there. If we are going on in devotion to the Lord (having “salt” in ourselves), we’ll be at peace in ourselves and we will be at peace with our brethren. A man who is not at peace in himself is not likely to be at peace with others. Then we’ll be like Asher, who dipped his foot in oil and was acceptable to his brethren (Deut. 33:2424And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. (Deuteronomy 33:24)). Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, and our feet speak of our walk. It’s a picture of one walking in the Spirit. If we are doing that, then we’re going to keep in step with our brethren, like the men of Zebulun who could “keep rank” (1 Chron. 12:3333Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart. (1 Chronicles 12:33)). Then we’ll be peacemakers and not troublemakers.
“Salted with fire” (vs. 49) is a reference to the believer’s life being a sacrifice mixed with self-judgment. “Fire” is a figure of judgment. “Salted with salt” (vs. 49) is a reference to the believer’s life being a sacrifice offered with a pledge of unalterable devotedness to God, by a covenant, so to speak, that we cannot go back on. (Compare Numbers 18:1919All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee. (Numbers 18:19)).
Recognize and Submit to “Them That Take the Lead” Administratively
Now let’s look at a few more things that will promote peace in the assembly. Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:12-1312And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12‑13), “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” Those whom we are to “know” in this context are not gifted brethren going about ministering the Word, but leaders in the local assembly. It is the overseers. Under normal conditions it would be older brethren who have “addicted themselves” to the care of the flock locally (1 Cor. 16:15-1615I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth. (1 Corinthians 16:15‑16)). We are told here to give them honour and to submit ourselves to them (1 Cor. 16:15-1615I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) 16That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth. (1 Corinthians 16:15‑16); Heb. 13:1717Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17)). This is another secret to having peace in the assembly.
A lot of problems having to do with a lack of peace in an assembly can be traced to younger brethren not submitting to their older brethren. Younger brethren who involve themselves in the administrative affairs of the assembly can sometimes disrupt the peace. They may mean well, but perhaps haven’t got the necessary principles, wisdom and experience for a particular case that comes before the brethren. If they take a position of variance with their older brethren, it will cause turmoil in the assembly.
An older brother once said to me that those who are perhaps the most difficult to handle are those whom he called “adolescent elders.” When he said that, I asked him what he meant. He explained that it was those who were around 40 years old. They’ve been raising their families, and perhaps have done fairly well, and they get to thinking that they can throw their weight around in the administrative affairs of the assembly. It usually means trouble. They may wax confident and want to challenge their older brethren in matters where they would be better advised to keep quiet (Psa. 131:11<<A Song of degrees of David.>> Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. (Psalm 131:1)). God’s answer for this is to give the older brethren their due respect, and to follow their lead in the assembly, and thus, there will be peace.
It could be that the assembly may have to “put away” (1 Cor. 5:1313But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:13)) a person who is the source of “strife” and “discord.” Scripture says, “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease” (Prov. 22:10; 6:1910Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. (Proverbs 22:10)
19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:19)). In such a case, the thing to do is to submit to the lead of the older brethren in the matter and not to get caught up in defending the person. He will, oftentimes, be flying the flag of righteousness, but don’t be fooled by that cloke of maliciousness. A partisan spirit will only divide the assembly.
Exercise Self-Control in the Ministry of the Word
Let’s look at another thing that will help promote peace in the assembly. 1 Corinthians 14:26-3326How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:26‑33) says, “How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other [others] judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
The last verse I read indicates that God desires that there be “peace” in the assembly meetings, for He is the “Author” of peace. This passage gives three things that will regulate the exercise of gifts in the assembly. If they are followed, there will be peace.
The Apostle chided the Corinthians about the confusion that existed in their meetings. He mentioned that every one of them seemed to have something to say, whether it was connected with what the others had or not. Everyone wanted to speak, and that led to confusion. To loosely paraphrase verse 26, the Apostle was saying, “How is it, brethren, that your meetings are a free-for-all?” I’ve been in meetings that have been like that. The brothers are tripping over each other to say something. And often what one says has no connection with what the others are saying—it’s disjointed and confusing. If that sort of thing characterizes our meetings, how can we expect the saints who are listening to understand and profit from it? Paul says to them, “This shouldn’t be.” Even though there may be a number of brethren taking part, the meeting should flow smoothly.
The Apostle goes on to speak of the remedy for the confusion. There is first the need for giving place to the leading of the Spirit. He doesn’t refer to the Spirit directly, but by implication, saying, “Let ... ”. The word is used 12 Times in a few short verses. It is a reference to the Spirit’s presidency in the assembly and our allowing Him to lead and guide. We have to “let” Him do it. It shows that we can hinder the Spirit’s work in the assembly. In fact, whenever we get the word “let” in New Testament exhortations, it refers to our responsibility to get out of the way and not hinder the Spirit and the new life in us from doing the things they naturally want to do. For instance, “Let brotherly love continue” (Heb. 13:11Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)). The Spirit of God and the new nature in the believer want to do that very thing, but we have to make sure that we are not hindering it from happening. If we “let” the Spirit of God lead in the ministry, there will be “peace” in the assembly.
A second thing that will regulate ministry in the assembly is seen in verse 32. “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” This means that those who take part in the meetings are to be subject to their own spirits. In other words, we are to use self-control. The prophet’s “spirit” here is not the Holy Spirit, but our human spirit—the God-conscious intelligent part of our being. There will be times in a meeting where a little common sense or intelligence would tell you to back off, to wait, and to exercise self-control.
I’ve seen brothers get so itchy to speak they can hardly sit on their seat! It appears that they think that what they have to say is so important that it must be said. And that brings us back to our first point of getting occupied with our own importance. It says in Leviticus 21 That the man who had “an itch” was disqualified to minister in the sanctuary! It speaks of one who can’t control his spirit. Invariably, such disrupt the peace of the assembly.
That reminds me of a man years ago who was drowning out on Lake Michigan. He was going down for the proverbial “third time,” when he called on the Lord in desperation. He was saved, not only from drowning, but also from a lost eternity by faith in Christ. He was soundly converted and came among the brethren in the Chicago assembly. Being newly saved, he was full of zeal and eagerness to learn the truth; he would often speak up in the meeting with questions and thoughts that were often off the topic. It got to the point where his interjections were being disruptive. You could say that he was “itchy” to speak. One day when the brother started up, Mr. Potter (the leading teacher in that assembly) leaned back in his chair and said, “Brother, I think you need another dunk in the lake!” The problem was that the brother wasn’t exercising self-control over his spirit. If we learn to control our spirit in ministry there will be “peace” in the assembly.
A third thing that regulates ministry is, “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge” (vs. 29). The judging here refers to an administrative judgment of the assembly to “silence” a person, whereby his mouth is stopped. The assembly is to do this if a person will not be subject to the Spirit’s leading and will not control his own spirit. It shows that the assembly has recourse if one should get out of hand and participate in a fleshly and profitless way.
I’ve heard of people using ministry to shoot arrows at one another! Brethren, that is just the flesh in activity. It is not ministry led by the Spirit. Really, it’s a disguised way of fighting—only we’re fooling nobody. Even the young people can tell what’s going on. This kind of thing must be stopped, and this verse tells us that the assembly has the authority to stop it.
Defuse Malice With Acts of Kindness
Now let’s look at one more thing. Turn to Romans 12:18-2118If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18‑21), “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” This exhortation is broad enough to apply to both saints and sinners. We can exercise it toward lost persons who do not like us, as well as towards those of our brethren who may not like us. The point here is that we can promote peace with others (peaceful conditions) by defusing their malice with acts of kindness. Such acts will make the person ashamed of his or her hostility and will lead them to change their mind about you.
That there is animosity in one Christian toward another shows that there is something seriously wrong. Surely it is not a condition that God desires among His people. The first thing the Apostle says here is that we’re not to return evil for evil. We are to “give place unto wrath”—God’s wrath, not ours. We are to leave it with the Lord who will deal with that person in His governmental ways. It’s not our sphere and responsibility to chastise them, though we may feel that they deserve it.
You may say, “What is my responsibility then? What can I do about it?” Well, the Apostle is saying here that we can do something. We can seek to defuse malice in people by showing acts of kindness toward them so that they’ll be stricken in their consciences and be ashamed of their animosity. However, to return a person’s animosity is to let evil overcome us, and we’ll sink to the level of that person’s malicious ways. J. N. Darby said, “If my bad temper puts you in a bad temper, you have been overcome with evil.” Therefore, it’s up to us not to let that happen! George W. Carver said, “I’ll never let another person ruin my life by making me hate him!”
Sometimes a person will hold a grudge against someone, and they’ll excuse it by saying that they are seeking to exercise that person as to their wrong. It sounds spiritual and godly, but really, it’s just malice. To say, “I can forgive, but I cannot forget,” is only another way of saying, “I will not forgive!” When we talk that way, we’re fooling nobody—we have an unforgiving spirit, and it’s as plain as day. We can bury the hatchet, but still hold onto the handle! We are warned that if we go on with that kind of thing a “root of bitterness” will manifest itself in the assembly, and thereby many will be “defiled” (Heb. 12:1515Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15)). This also happens when people get involved in personal disputes and lines are drawn and sides are taken. The assembly becomes divided over it as a result. It’s shameful, but it happens.
Now, you may say, “What about Luke 17:33Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)?” “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” This says that we are not to forgive a person until they apologize. On the grounds of this Scripture we may feel justified to carry on with a grudge or feud with a person who has offended us until they repent and apologize to us. The problem with this idea is that we have isolated a verse and are not looking at the subject of brotherly forgiveness in its entirety, as Scripture presents it. Remember, one of the great maxims having to do with Bible interpretation is that we interpret Scripture in the light of all other Scripture.
We need the light of other Scriptures on the subject of forgiveness to properly understand this verse. For instance, we are told in Matthew 18:3535So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:35) that we are to “forgive” in our “hearts” all who offend us. Here there is no condition attached to it wherein they must repent and confess their wrong. It means that we are to have a forgiving spirit toward them, even though conditions of hostility still exist in them. This is not a contradiction to Luke 17. Luke 17 supposes that a time will come when the person will acknowledge their wrong, and then we can administer that forgiveness to them formally. We have already forgiven them in our hearts, but then we can do it with our mouths. Wayne Coleman once put it this way: “We hold a reservoir of forgiveness in our hearts toward that person, and when they repent and own their wrong, we open the floodgates and express our forgiveness formally.”
This means that if someone trespasses against us, we are to give them a release in our hearts, holding a spirit of forgiveness toward them. The Lord warns that if we don’t do that, we’ll be “delivered” to “the tormentors” (Matt. 18:3434And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (Matthew 18:34)). This is not speaking of eternal judgment, as some have supposed, because the Lord implies that there is a possibility of coming out of that torment, saying, “till he should pay all.” We all know that there will be no release from eternal judgment! It speaks, rather, of being delivered over to our own unforgiving spirit, whereby it becomes our tormentor. Every time we see, or even think of the person we hold a grudge against, we are tormented with feelings of malice. It is a governmental dealing of God, teaching us in His school that it doesn’t pay to have an unforgiving spirit toward someone.
In the meantime, while God works in the offender’s heart to bring them to repentance, we are to show them genuine love, expressed in acts of kindness. It will touch their conscience, whereby they will be ashamed of their malice, and judge themselves. This shows that not only are we to have a forgiving spirit, but we’re also to have a benevolent spirit toward those who show animosity towards us. By this, we are doing our part to promote “peace” in the assembly.
H. E. Hayhoe said that there was a time when a couple of his local brethren didn’t like him. He actually overheard them talking about him in the coat area one day. So he went to his older brethren and asked them for their advice. They said, “Go on with the Lord, and they’ll change their minds!” And that’s exactly what happened!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Summary of Things We Can Do to Help Promote Peace and Unity Among the Lord’s People
I have given you a number of things that we can do that will “make for peace” in the assembly. Let me summarize them:
• Bind on humility.
• Judge our critical spirit.
• Be careful not to give offence in word or deed.
• Recognize and submit to them that take the lead administratively.
• Exercise self-control in the ministry of the Word.
• Defuse malice with acts of kindness.
B. Anstey
(Adapted)
THE THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE—How We Can Promote Unity in the Assembly
B. Anstey
First Printed Edition – May 2006
Printed Version – 1.0
Printed in Canada
First eBook Edition—May 2021
eBook Version – 1.0
Note: all Scriptures quoted are from either the King James Version (KJV)
or the J. N. Darby Translation, unless otherwise noted.
christiantruthpublishing.com
christiantruthpublishing.blogspot.com
CHRISTIAN TRUTH PUBLISHING
9-B Appledale Road
Hamer Bay (Mactier) ON P0C 1H0
CANADA