BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER

THE PICTURE ACCOMPANYING THIS WRITING IS A PICTURE OF A CHECKPOINT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE. THIS IS A SAD NOTE WHEN ONE CONSIDERS JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM AND HE IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD. HE DIED IN JERUSALEM WHICH IS IN ISRAEL FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD. YET THE COUNTRY THAT WAS DESIGNATED AS THE PROMISED

LAND IS DIVIDED.

It occurs to me that some of our brothers are living under the iron hand of sectarianism of one form or another. There is in this world an unfortunate spirit of selfishness that would rule others in this way. If a brother commits a wrong that discomforts another brother it is never forgotten. And sin is used to rule ones life. I know a dear brother that lives under that kind of dominance right now. He is a close friend; a good man; born again; a christian; has confessed his sins and no man can snatch him out of God's hands. Yet the heavy foot of criticism and justice and judgement is upon his neck and his personal life is a daily experience of human meanness.

It is easy to judge another person in the eyes of some. Others sins are so obvious that they are used to accuse and destroy. It is more difficult to view ones own shortcomings and sins because that is too uncomfortable, besides ones sins are not as bad as others sins. And others must realize that there is discomfort and consequences attached to their sins.

You know I think that this is the worst kind of exploitation and moneychanging. Why? Fact is others can attempt to stand between a person and the forgiveness a loving God gives. But this attempt is in vain. God's forgiveness is available to all men and it is little that anyone can do to prohibit God. But consequences for sins can be humanly contrived and imposed on others and this is the worse kind of exploitation.

The ploy is this...sins can be forgiven, repentance and confession can be accepted by a loving Saviour. Yet the charlatan has one more trick up his sleeve. "But what about the consequences of sin? yada, yada, yada...".

It is a fact that sin does have consequences. The very first one is death. "...in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Gen.2:17) Those are the wages. There are the consequences. But my dear moneychanger friend have you not read Romans 6:23? "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. "

All agree that consequences do occur with sin. There may be social, familial and personal consequences. But the question arises as to who determines those consequences and how long do they last. If the Spirit of God and the fruits of the Spirit are prevalent such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, etc. then how does anyone possibly determine for themselves evil are bad consequences in the life of another sinner.

Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:1). The Bible is a book of peace for the followers of God. Yet there is hardly any peace and a lot of trouble dished out by many paradoxically in the name of the "...Prince of Peace." God is quite capable of determining any consequences yet religious charlatans play God in this respect.

A good person always chastises himself with reference to his sins. The apostle Paul said for example "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I Tim. 1:15) But even here this is a self imposed consequence of sin. Hebrews 8:12 says of folks like Paul "...for I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."

To attach consequences to others' sins is only simple conjecture. I wonder how such folks would have treated Paul. He was an accomplice to murder and he persecuted the church. Galatians 1:13 "... I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it." I Cor. 15:9 "...for I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. " Paul was aware of his wretchedness and he knew who delivered him from that. He said "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. "(Romans 7:25) Among the last words Paul wrote one understands that Paul's sins had been forgiven for he told Timothy in II Tim 4:7 -8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; " "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. "

It is true that Paul did wrong and sinned. At the stoning of Stephen it is said that the witnesses "...laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul." (Acts 7:58) and Acts 8:1 says "Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death." Paul did not forget his shortcomings. Most good men don't. What would you have done with Paul in your church? Would you have excommunicated him? What worse thing can one do than kill Christians? How much more harm can one do than imprison members of the church? Yet he was a forgiven man and God said of him in Acts 9:15"...he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bare My name before the Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel." Paul knew why. He said "...by the grace of God I am what I am..." (I Cor. 15:10). In our day among some Paul would have been given public notice in local church papers that he was a sinner and out of possible fellowship and usefulness. Thanks be to God that He gives no such honor to such tactics.