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 Now
there are brethren, and brethren!! Children born in the same
hospital have something in common. They may join the same
Memorial Hospital Alumni Association, but they are brethren in a
limited sense only. Such membership is no assurance that they
have the same parents. (Pause, and think on that for awhile.)
But
there are brethren in Christ, born of the same seed (Jas. 1:18),
and children of God as proven by their works. (Jn. 8: 39-44; 1
Jn. 3:9-10; Mat. 5: 44-f) These are children in the same family,
members of the one body, which is the church (Eph. 1:22-23), in
a sense far more meaningful than mere congregational association
— although they may, of course, have that in common also. This
article concerns the later class — brothers and sisters of
common divine parentage.
Such
brethren are of the same mind (have a common desire) in matters
religious (Rom. 12:16 15:5-7) “with one mind striving together
for the faith of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:27) They are “kindly
affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another (Rom. 12:10); they “submit” to one
another (Eph. 5: 21-24) “in the fear of God” — seeing no
contradiction in this submission, and subjection to God’s plan
for proper rule and oversight. (1 Thes. 5: 12-f)
They
do nothing through strife or vainglory, for each is more
concerned for the other’s well—being than for his own (Phil.
2:3-f), and their love for one another is such that each is
kind, suffering long, humbled, thinking no evil, but rejoicing
in the truth. (1
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Cor. 13: 4-7) It is a rare thing for brethren
like this to have serious difficulties.
When
such brethren differ in religious matters-— as is to be
expected among free-thinking men — their respect for the word
of God, and its harmony, make them at once aware that the
difference is of human origin. In humility and candor they ask,
“Is it I?” “Have I failed to fully study and understand
God’s will in this matter? Have I failed to understand my brother
— to walk in his shoes?” The difference may be one of
judgement — so diverse that each must continue his faithful
service of God “fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Rom.
14:5-f) Paul could “depart asunder” from Barnabas, in such
matters; and could report that Barnabas had, in hypocrisy, “walked
not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel;” (Acts 15:
39 ;Gal. 2:11-14) and yet maintain respect for the man Barnabas.
(Note, “even” Barnabas, or “Barnabas also”) (Note his
continued regard for Mark. Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11)
While
you are thinking up a sharp reply about how Barnabas and Mark
must have corrected their error, consider the attitudes, love
for truth, and Christ-like treatment that must have influenced
the correction. When true brethren in Christ differ, each is
anxious to discuss the issue in the light of God’s word. They
study and pray together in love.
And
should you ask about brethren who differ in bitter envy and
strife, — Hmmmmm, you must know the wrong kind of brethren!!
(Jas. 3:10-18) rft
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