When engaging with fellow believers, it’s vital that our encouragement comes from a place of true understanding and discernment. Compassion and empathy are crucial, but they shouldn’t inadvertently endorse detrimental behaviors. For instance, when a child struggles to meet their parent’s expectations, the solution isn’t to encourage them to dismiss or be patient with their…
One of the many responsibilities that unfold naturally is the counsel and warning given by the older toward the younger. Titus 2 comes to mind as a critical text of New Testament teaching wherein both older men and women are given the respect of having greater years and experience and teach the younger. Here’s the…
It has been an interesting journey to watch the responses of church members whenever there is the slightest hint of the need to repent or modify our conclusions. Most are kind about it, offering a word of thanks for their concern and advice, but usually dismiss it as being a negative thing that will tear…
Some have a hard time imagining the fellowship of saints with the church and local church membership. If we can ever make the switch in our minds and implement those changes, it is not that hard. It would mirror the same fellowship that existed in the first century. First, we must recognize the difference that…
We have always been tempted to look around us and measure ourselves by our surroundings. By choosing the worst of situations, we can feel comfortable with ourselves. By exposing the errors and problems with all that surrounds us, our choices may appear attractive. Our challenge, however, is to rise above the standards placed on us…
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and…
The example of Corinth is not an example of church problems, but individual carnality. Paul corrects several problems, but they are all centered on individual pride, the pursuit of personal rights and preferences, and the effect of not handling sin, properly. They were not rebuked for not gathering often enough, but they were chided for…
Since we have raised the bar and described the working of a living organism spread throughout the world, this living body and all the parts that make it up contribute to the edification of the body. Don’t place that statement in an application of local church work. Envision it as the work of every individual…
The truth is that most church members are not willing to spend and be spent for their brothers and sisters. Most are not spiritually-minded and would be insulted or angered to be admonished without having thoughts of retaliation. Some are willing to put in their time by coming to the church house and allowing for…
We have been posting much about the alternative to “church-life.” By “church-life”, we mean the activities that revolve around the membership of an organization, the required activities to be in good standing with that organization, and the amount and type of fellowship inherent in that arrangement. The alternative has been the focus of this chapter….