Keeping Your Faith Through Adversity Within The Church by Brian Christensen

By CGI New York | July 15, 2016 | Category KNOWLEDGE OF GOD/FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

Keeping Your Faith Through Adversity Within The Church

Over the last few years, the body of Christ has gone through some difficult times. Groups have split, families have split, friends have split and bitterness has flourished. These aren’t exactly the action and characteristics of God’s people, as Christ described in Matthew. So why does this happen? Can you be part of a group and still maintain your own individual thoughts and ideas? Should you fellowship with others outside the group?These are very tough questions that everyone has asked or experienced. Most of the elders in our church have experienced these feelings when they left the Worldwide Church in the 70’s and 80’s. My first encounter with this was recently when my best friend and his family chose to attend another group. I also have numerous friends, whom earlier, had left to attend with an independent group. I was constantly second guessing my decisions and questioning theirs. Some relationships became strained and eventually disappeared; others remained strong with some understanding. I have even seen couples where each attends a different group.It is important, during a trial, to step out and look at all aspects of the situation. Refrain from blame or finger pointing, and be understanding. Look at other’s point of view, motivations, history or other considerations. Ask a lot of questions; try to remain objective and separate fact from possible fiction or unknown. For instance, we know that, “All have come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Christians are not perfect and never will be, until Christ returns. Since people organize churches, there will never be a perfect church, until Christ returns. He is the only one who has lived a perfect Christian life on earth. So, he is the only one who can truly lead or show us how! We must, however, strive for that perfection.

When someone leaves a group, he has simply decided to change the people who will teach him. He has not left Christ. That decision is made between him and God—similar to a choice we may make, as to which college to attend. It should not change our heart toward them. Instead of criticizing others, we should focus within ourselves and ask: are we doing everything we can to achieve God’s glory (Matthew 7:3-5)? These trials are not unique to us. Almost every book in the New Testament is a letter written because of a problem or events within the church. Judas was personally taught by Jesus and still betrayed him. Peter denied Jesus three times when approached by others. Even after being enslaved for 400 years and witnessing the power and strength of God, his people whom exited Egypt, are examples of some of the most selfish, ungrateful and faithless people in the Bible.

We also know that trials must happen in order for us to grow. Sometimes the choice or initial decision may not be right or wrong in God’s eyes, however, how we handle ourselves and treat others is more important. Also, if we are not careful, our emotions and decisions may eventually lead us off God’s path, and pride can prevent us from finding our way back. The only actions we can control are our own. The only person we can truly change is our self. Our actions can positively or negatively influence others, but we are ultimately responsible for our decisions.

God has given us some basic, firm, “no compromise” guidelines for living. Such as the Sabbath, Ten Commandments, Holy Days, fellowship, etc. Other guidelines may be more flexible and based on our own personalities, faith, or convictions. God handles this quite simply, by telling us not to judge or act more excessively toward others than we wish God to judge or act toward us, with respect to that subject or issue. Each time we interact with others we are potentially setting our own benchmarks with God (Matthew 7:1-2).

Someday we will all meet together for the Feast of Tabernacles to hear Jesus give a sermon and teach us. Until that time, act on faith. As life’s trials are endured, and you fellowship with others, remember to focus on God and the truth. Focus within yourself and what you feel God wants you to do. Pray others will do the same, and accept their choices with God as their choices. The life you save, just may be your own.

 

 

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