Standing Guard

What happens when we see persistent un-Christlike behavior from those who often have strong voices in our community?

In Matthew 23, Jesus boldly rebuked the scribes and Pharisees. These men, who were supposed to be shepherds and spiritual servants to the people, had forcibly shaped their religion into a legalistic, unloving, and self-serving farce. Jesus knew the hearts of these men, so he could aptly call them “blind,” “hypocrites,” and “fools.” He had the authority to call out those who fed themselves at the expense of the sheep.

Jesus was the shepherd who searched the hills, gathering and feeding lost sheep. These evil men were so filled with envy that their calcified hearts could not accept his rebuke. As James later wrote, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16). Because they followed their own lusts, they committed the greatest crime in history by bringing about the crucifixion of our Lord.

Ezekiel prophesied against the shepherds of Israel more than six hundred years earlier. Those religious leaders had been ruling over the people with “force and with cruelty.” (Ezekiel 34:4). This abuse robbed the people of the needed spiritual food. Earlier, Hosea spoke of how when Israel was in adversity, they were like a “silly dove” (Hosea 7:11), flying back and forth from one potential savior to another, but not to God. They had no knowledge, no grounding, and no faith. They had lost their hearts and had no guides to lead them back to God. Cruel, self-indulgent leaders destroyed the flock. They were more concerned with their own status, their own perceived righteousness. It became a religion centered on their thirst for recognition and praise.

Jesus could rightly rebuke those leaders. But should we? What happens when we see persistent un-Christlike behavior from those who often have strong voices in our community? How should we react to those who denigrate and slander others? What must we do when we see the manifestation of bitter envy and strife? What steps should we take when some inject themselves into meaningful inter-ecclesial discussions, upending progress? Should we just shake our heads in disappointment? When are we called to rebuke those who put the flock in jeopardy?

No shepherd in Israel started their work to be abusive. There would likely be many years of faithful service. I suspect that even Samuel’s sons were not always taking bribes. It was something that likely developed over time. Eventually, they would begin to see themselves differently from those they served and lose sight of their role as servants. Instead of bringing people to the Word and inviting them to see righteous principles, they became directive. Their presumed personal authority dominated. They created their own commandments. They might cast out anyone who questioned them. Soon, the shepherds, whose very existence was for guidance and spiritual sustenance, became vicious and cruel.

False Prophets

Some of the wicked shepherds pretended to be prophets. In the middle of Judah’s spiritual wasteland, some men and women corrupted the commandments of God by insisting they had received special revelations. They often carried the messages the people and the wayward king wanted to hear. This posture vaulted these false prophets into prominence in the kingdom. Some declared that the people should not listen to Jeremiah and that God didn’t want them to surrender to Babylon. They argued that Jerusalem was the LORD’s city, and He would defend it, the opposite of Jeremiah’s counsel. But their evil counsel confused the people and did not bring about the repentance that the LORD demanded. It led to terrible destruction for the city and the people.

Jeremiah spoke of these false prophets. They spoke words of vanity, “visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:16 ESV). The LORD told Moses that there would be false prophets, and they would be exposed by whether what they prophesied came to pass. God’s instruction was, “Thou shalt not be afraid of him.” (Deuteronomy 18:22). False prophets continued in the time of the Apostle John. He wrote of false prophets, false teachers, and deceivers. Paul wrote not to despise prophesyings, but instead it was the role of ecclesial members to “Prove all things,” or as the ESV translates this, “Test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). It is the responsibility of believers and ecclesias not to be influenced by the speaker’s reputation, but to try their words and behaviors by the standard of Scripture, whether these leaders were elected or self-appointed.

Ecclesias Today

We must stand guard over two crucial issues. The first is our need to be a community that discerns what righteousness is, solely by the words of Scripture. It matters not who says what. Are we able to verify what is being said by a reading of the Word? Boldly test and verify. Accept and hold fast to what is correct. Have nothing to do with error.

The second issue is behavior. When we see un-Christlike behavior in our ecclesias, it requires rebuke and correction. It is not to be tolerated from anyone, especially our leaders. This measure is for both the individual’s recovery and the protection of the ecclesia. We occasionally witness bullying, slandering, gossiping, and derogatory labeling. Individuals who practice these affronts may try to present themselves as protectors of the Truth, but their behaviors have little reflection of it. God’s counsel to Moses was, “Don’t be afraid of them.”

It is not my role, or yours, to assess the thoughts and intents of the heart. Our assumption must be that we cannot judge motives. But clearly, we are expected to judge behavior. Such judging is not to be done in a condemning or judicial way. If a brother or sister is insisting on a perspective they think we ought also to embrace, it must be coupled with “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” (Galatians 5:22-23). When someone insists on their point of view and, in the process, demonstrates ungodly behavior, it must raise a gigantic red flag. This assertion doesn’t necessarily mean their perspective is wrong, but we are alerted to consider a more fundamental issue. For this member, the need to be right has overcome the need to reflect the spirit of Christ, putting them at risk and requiring help. He or she is also a threat to the flock.

How to Rebuke

Often, those overcome by such madness are dear brothers and sisters. They have worked beside us, laboring for the Lord for decades. They are valuable to us and to our ecclesias. However, un-Christlike behavior is disallowed in the body of Christ. Rebuke is not a simple task. They need restoration, but it must be gentle, and in the “spirit of meekness.” (Galatians 6:1). The one rebuked must be lovingly instructed that the behaviors do not reflect our Lord’s character. These behaviors cannot continue in our ecclesia or across our community. In fact, the individual’s goal may be impeded by causing many to close their minds to behavior and words that are coupled with ripping and tearing.

In most cases, those sincere in their love of God will hear instruction’s warning voice. They will re-engage through self-reflection and examination. If so, the rebuke was an excellent service. However, if it is not accepted and behaviors continue, the ecclesia is responsible for dealing with this individual. If ecclesias took such a responsibility, they would protect the community from great harm.

Paul’s instructions are rather clear about how to rebuke an erring elder.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (1 Timothy 5:17-20 ESV).

A charge against an ecclesial elder is quite a serious matter. If a charge is made, there needs to be witnesses to it. One would assume that if they listened to the witnesses and repentance occurred, that would end the process. However, if not, if they “persist” in sin, then they are to be rebuked before all. Not just privately, but before the entire ecclesia. In my experience, I have not witnessed this ever being done. It is generally dealt with privately and shielded from the ecclesia’s view. However, Scripture’s guidance is a message to all ecclesial members that particular behavior is not acceptable in our community. We will not consent to it.

Accountability

We are all accountable to one another in the Body of Christ. Only our Lord is above all, as our Head. In today’s ecclesial environment, with technology, we can voice our opinion globally, with just a few keystrokes—no need to wait for letters to be received and formally reviewed. Caustic, even slanderous comments can be made, often without repercussions. This circumstance is far removed from the spirit of our Lord, and can be terribly damaging. When such messages are distributed and we know of them, rebuke is necessary.

We hear inflammatory comments about brothers and sisters, speaking of other groups in slanderous ways, such as accusing brothers and sisters with different perspectives as being “Humanists that are corrupting the Truth.” Beware! This assertion is not how the Lord ever behaved. All things are to be done for edification and building up. Those who tear down and rule with cruelty are evil shepherds. Without repentance, the shepherds must publicly rebuke them.

Bible Knowledge Can Be Misleading

Some take leadership roles in our community by being keen Bible students. In many cases, their work greatly edifies us. But Bible exposition must be coupled with the demonstration of the spirit of that word. Jeremiah spoke of the priests in Jerusalem as handling the law, but not knowing God (Jeremiah 2:8). Jesus rebuked many of the leaders of his day, because for all their Scriptural study, their behaviors showed that they failed to know God, or recognize the Lord Jesus Christ: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness of me.” (John 5:39 ESV). “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:19 ESV). For all the time and effort those religious leaders put into studying the Scriptures, they never came to know God’s character, and failed to demonstrate it. That’s a huge warning for us! As John said, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV).

Are We Up to This Challenge?

What will you do when you see incorrect behavior? Will you lovingly rebuke the perpetrator, showing how dishonest words are destructive? Or will you cower in fear, enabling these corrupt behaviors to continue? Will you safeguard the ecclesia and those with differing views from bearing the brunt of unrighteous actions? Good shepherding requires taking initiative to correct such conduct. We cannot permit wolves to feed upon the sheep. In ecclesial elections, your vote should demonstrate that behavior matters.

When brothers and sisters work in a committed and loving way to accomplish the Lord’s will, they should not be required to look over their shoulders, wondering when the critical and abusive letter will come. They should not hear their motives being critiqued, particularly by those with whom they have had no contact during the process. They should not worry about being labeled negatively or maligned. The fear of such attacks often derails good, positive work before it even starts. That is a shame.

Who Are We?

My father told me about his initial perceptions of the Christadelphian body. He learned the Truth soon after returning from the Korean War. He accepted the Truth with joy, feeling he had never heard the Bible spoken about so clearly. However, he noticed that our community fought frequently and was quite surprised to see this. That was in 1953. The situation continues today. In the quest for doctrinal purity, some disregard the requirement for the spirit of Christ to act in love. The Ephesians faced this problem. In Revelation 3, Jesus commended them for defending the Truth, but found fault with their neglecting love. It is quite acceptable to debate and test the Scriptures. It’s reasonable to have differing opinions. But it is never permissible to demonstrate the works of the flesh and lose sight of the love of Christ.

We all truly desire a community of peace, a place where fear has no resting place. Fear inhibits love (1 John 4:18). So, where does peace and wisdom come from? Does it emerge from victories in knock-down, drag-out debates, or scorching assessments of others? Of course not. Let’s let James tell us what is required first.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17-18 ESV).

James goes on to identify the root causes of the “wars and fighting” among them. The state of affairs was steeped in “lust.” Lust can manifest as a desire for power, a thirst for estimation above others. Let’s not reward such behaviors. If we are looking for truth, let’s open our Bibles. Look for those who sow peace, who reflect the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Have no fear of those who abuse the flock. Good shepherds give their lives for the sheep; they don’t drive them away.

I recommend two articles in this issue that further develop this theme. The following article, The Tragedy of Eli, was written by Bro. David Fraser of Durban, South Africa. In this article, he traces Eli’s failures and the corruption caused by not upholding God’s standards of behavior. May we all be intolerant of behavior opposed to the spirit of our Lord and have the strength of character to accept loving rebuke when given. The next article is by Bro. Andrew Weller of the Cumberland Ecclesia in South Australia. His article continues an examination of Paul’s letter to Titus, and this month, he deals with Silencing the Dangerous: The Courage to Confront. I hope you will find their words profitable.

Dave Jennings