Lately I've witnessed some bloggers embattle others in a war of words regarding who is the "worst" of men in the kingdom of God and the ministry of the Gospel (yes, the "worst"--not the best). I've read comments and lurked in the shadows of sadness. As I did so I wondered what one could do about such war between professing Christians. If it bothers me, wouldn't it also disturb the Father in Heaven? Doesn't He despise those who stir up strife? Even for a just cause?
In 1 Corinthians 3 we see Paul taking the Corinth church to task regarding their allegiances to himself and Apollos. He urged them to guard their actions, words and thoughts. Their wisdom was nothing if used with a prideful heart.
"To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. The wisdom that worldly men esteem, is foolishness with God. How justly does he despise, and how easily can he baffle and confound it!" Matthew Henry Commentary
Such is the merry-go-round of conversations among those who seek to be "right", who seek to publicly reprove, who lash out with posts to defend oneself when one's own words condemn them already. What is so hard to understand about the false teachers of this day? Is it necessary to pour gasoline upon their flaming heads? Would it not be better to pray God bless them and heap coals of fire upon them? Is it not more beneficial to eternity to watch our own words, attitudes and actions? To attend to our own diligence, patience, and perseverance? Is it not more pleasing to our Lord to simply share the Gospel as He leads us to share and leave another's growth or demise to God?
I think of David who had the opportunity to kill Saul (his adversary), as he slept; instead David didn't touch a hair on his God-annointed head. Then there's Joseph who had the power to destroy or imprison his brothers for what they'd done to him years prior. Instead he forgave them and loved them. As Christians we have the opportunity to live in such a way that everything we do can bring eternal reward. Sometimes silence is heard more loudly than shouts of righteousness.
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid,which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
In our effort to follow the Lord, do we build upon His life within us, or upon the works and words of man? Do we flaunt our own wisdom to prove another wrong or right, or humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord? Do we lift up and esteem some person or belief more than we bow down to our Savior? What is our motive for doing and saying and writing what we do? Will it all be burned away "in the Day", or will it follow us through eternity? selahV
