Title: Obedient, or Polite?
I. Take notice
(Read v. 17)
Paul simply states two things in verse 17. He says:
1. Take notice of those who cause division
2. Avoid them.
This seems simple enough but I can’t tell you how many times, in my relatively young ministry as a pastor, that I’ve seen Christians endure other people’s folly for the sake of simply being polite.
Let me clarify my position:
1. These people are not non-believers.
Paul is talking not about non-believers who cause offenses (for these people can’t cause division, they are not part of the church…). Rather, Paul is talking about people within the fellowship that have a history of stirring things up.
2. We are not talking about only theology.
And, Paul says specifically, these people are guilty of being appositional to the doctrine of the Scriptures, by causing both division, and offenses.
Let me clarify again: This “doctrine” that Paul speaks of is not just Theology, but behavior and conduct as well.
We are not talking about people who always want to debate free will verses predestination, or infant baptism verses believer’s baptism. Concerning these discussions, you know how I feel: These are profitable dialogues to have, I encourage them, in love and respect, of course.
But we are talking about the full counsel of the scripture, then we must also include behavior and conduct in what Paul is saying here.
In fact, let me go on record in front of the body of this church with this statement:
It is more offensive to God to be someone who causes division in the church over issues of conduct, than it is to cause theological division. At least with theological division you are trying to seek the most biblical way to practice and understand something.
I look at the Reformation as a church split born out of Theology. A good split, a split that needed to happen.
But this is rarely the case when a church splits today. Many times within the church, those who cause division and offenses do so not by what they believe, but by how they act.
And we have a horrible track record of holding these people accountable. This church has had issues with this in the past and I have not been as assertive in calling these people into accountability as I should be.
Let me put some rubber to the road so you understand exactly where I am coming from.
A theological discussion to be had:
1. “All that the father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me, I will by no means cast out.”
-John 6:37
2. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify for themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.”
-Hebrews6:4-6
Here we see verses, both from the same infallible book, that seem to have two differing views of one’s salvation. The first passage suggests what most of us today believe, that once you are truly saved, you are always saved.
But then this Hebrews passage seems to say you can indeed lose your salvation, and if you do, then there really is no hope for you.
Two people, in this church, discussing these passages, even if it becomes passionate and heated, is not causing divisions and offenses. That’s what makes us grow, learn, and not stagnate!
But, now listen to these statements:
1. We need to have a Christmas Eve service, that’s something I’m going to be changing around here very soon.
2. When a pastor says he needs to know what every one of his teachers are teaching in Sunday School, that pastor is being meddlesome and trying to be a dictator.
3. Pastor you need to do more preaching and less teaching.
4. The way we honor God with this song is by clapping our hands when we sing it.
5. I think it dishonors God if our Pastor wears a beard.
Pretty ridiculous stuff, eh? Anyone know what these statements have in common?. And I know who said each one of them, and I love all very much.
These are the types of mind sets that Satan uses to causes both division and offenses.
So what then do we do?
Avoid them!
Fair enough, but how, exactly, do we do that?
1. Situations with believers outside the Church (where Church discipline can’t intervene)
(AU students this may be: FCA, Well, Campus Bible Studies, your roommates or friends who profess Christ but live something else. For the rest of us: our family members, friends, co-workers all who claim to be saved)
1. Tell them exactly how they are making you feel (when they are making you feel that way, not after.)
2. Express you love for them, and that you don’t want this to escalate.
3. Offer your apology if you’ve offended them.
4. Attempt to reconcile.
5. If they refuse, don’t engage them.
2. With Church Members (where discipline can intervene.)
1. Go to the person directly (not the pastor, not another leader).
2. Bring a witness. (But do so with tact.)
3. Bring them before the church.
4. Restore them OR Cast them out.
Now, what does this require?
That our obedience to follow scripture is more precious to us than our desire to “all just get along” or “be polite” or “not offend.”
Listen folks, if I’m causing potential division or offense, I want you offend me! I want you to bring it to me, I want to know.
Because just as my responsibility is to God for your obedience, and not to you for your comfort, so is your responsibility to this congregation to keep us as obedient as God calls us to be.
So now what, everyone break up into groups of three and start rebuking each other? No. But, let’s not stay quiet if someone is offending, for the sake of “not rocking the boat.”
(Story of Ben’s horrible wedding experience with that mother…no names)
I will never be that spineless of a minister.