by Mike Benson

As long as there are people in the church, there will be conflict.

As long as people sin—and they do (cf. Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:23; Matt. 5:23-24; 18:15-17; Mark 11:15-17; 1 John 1:8), as along as two or more brethren have more than one idea on how to carry out a good work—and they will (cf. Acts 15:36-41), and as long as all communication in a congregation is less than absolutely accurate and perfectly timed—and it is (cf. Acts 6:1; 15:2, 7), there will be conflict (cf. Matt. 20:24; Mark 9:34; Luke 9:46; 22:24). It “is a part of church life that must be faced from time to time by every normal congregation [Edison, When Lines Are Drawn, 18-19]. “Disagreements are inevitable. Expect them” [Russell, Making Things Happen, 69].

How do you respond to that reality? I appreciate one author’s insight into this issue:

"In 1986 I was hiking with three friends in the Beartooth Mountains in southern Montana. It was early in the summer, and the streams were still swollen from melting snow. Ten miles into the mountains, we came to a stream where the bridge had been washed away. The water was deep and icy cold. There was one place where we might have been able to cross by leaping from rock to rock, but it would have meant risking a fall into the rapids.

As we stood there trying to decide what to do, three different perspectives surfaced. One person saw the stream as a dangerous obstacle. Afraid that one of us might fall in and be swept away, he wanted to turn back and look for another trail. Another friend saw the stream as a means to show how tough he was. He wanted to wade straight across, even if that meant we would be wet and cold for a few hours. But the two of us saw the stream as an interesting challenge. We studied the rocks leading to the other side and determined where we would need additional footing. Finding a fallen tree in the woods, we laid it across the largest gap between the rocks.

At this point, our two friends began to cooperate with us. Working together, we managed to get one person over to the other bank. Then two of us stood on rocks in the middle of the stream and the packs were passed to the other side. One by one, we jumped from rock to rock, receiving support from the person ahead. Before long, we were all on the far bank and we were perfectly dry and exhilarated by our accomplishment."

It’s been my life-long observation that we tend to view conflict in much the same way that these four men looked at that mountain stream:

. For some, it is a hazard that threatens to sweep us off our feet and leave us emotionally bruised and bloodied (cf. Matt. 25:18). It must therefore be avoided at all costs.

. For others, it is an obstacle that must be “strong-armed” and “man-handled” with a firm, heavy-handed, authoritative approach (cf. Matt. 20:25).

. For a few, it is an opportunity to solve common problems in a way that honors Jesus Christ and offers benefit to the church-body at large (Acts 6:5, 7; 15:6, 25).

Dear Christian, let me suggest that you engage in a little self-introspection (1 Cor. 11:28). How do you approach “the deep, icy-cold stream” in your congregation? Do you try to steer away from it? [That’s “peace-faking”]. Do you try to aggressively conquer it? [That’s “peace-breaking”]. Or do you try to build a bridge through and over it? [That’s “peace-making”].

Give it some thought.

“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19). “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas. 3:18).

by Barry Newton

It must be a rude awakening when members of a congregation who were probably celebrating their freedom that “all things are permissible for me” and who seemingly were confident of their own spirituality suddenly discover their flight feathers being clipped by an apostle’s pen. But it appears that at least part of the letter of 1 Corinthians may have served this purpose.

Based upon what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10, it is not too hard to reasonably reconstruct with a good measure of probability what some members of the church at Corinth were thinking. It probably went something like: I have been baptized into Christ. I am being spiritually fed by Christ. My spiritual health is outstanding and secure!

Contrary to such thinking, Paul argued that just because someone has been baptized and is even feasting on true spiritual nourishment proves nothing about that individual’s spiritual health. What? Alarm bells might go off in some heads today just as they may have sounded back then. But in fact, Paul’s actual teaching goes beyond my bland summary paraphrase to even assert that being nourished by Christ proves nothing about your spiritual health before God!

To teach this lesson, Paul retold an Old Testament story. Paul reminded them that all of Israel had experienced a baptism into Moses when Israel had crossed the Red Sea. Furthermore, all of the Israelites had even been nourished by Christ himself! Yet, and this is where the clap of thunder rolls in, God was not pleased with most of them as seen by the fact that He strewed their bodies throughout the desert. Their spiritual standing was far from secure.

As important as it is to start the journey by being baptized and to be sustained by feasting on spiritual nourishment from Christ, something can still be lacking! Israel had failed to faithfully live out the message they had received; their actions were blatantly rebellious.

Paul’s point must have smashed home to the Corinthians as a rude awakening. Just because they had become Christians and were being nourished by Christ proved nothing about their spiritual health. More was required. To be pleasing to God and to avoid falling, the Corinthian Christians could not afford to flaunt grace while living out lives estranged to the message. They had to live in accordance with God’s message. Not everything is truly permissible. Sin is still unacceptable.

Yes, Christ’s blood has the power to forgive all sin. Yes, we can not merit God’s forgiveness. Yes, those in Christ have been released from the condemnation of sin. But if we allow the apostle to speak for himself, these truths do not relinquish us from the responsibility of being careful that we do not fall. Grace teaches us to say, “No” to ungodliness and to pursue godly living. Titus 2:11-12

Since 1 Corinthians 10 is directed to Christians, we need to make sure we have learned the lesson as well. The individual who is spiritually healthy, has not only entered Christ and feasts upon spiritual nourishment, but also lives out God’s message through his life.

Paul’s next words in 1 Corthians 10 are comforting. God is faithful when we are tempted by not allowing us to face more than what we can handle.

Finally, an internet cafe!

Well, the last time we talked, I was worried because J.C. took the back seat out of the van so he could get more luggage in. Betty rode to the airport in the back of the van on the suitcases, and I rode up front with J.C., because I get car sick (grin). The trip to India took a total of 48 hours!

We hopped on a plane to Atlanta, then back to Los Angeles. We were scanned and patted and passed through all the barriers without a problem. What they thought three old people weighed down with luggage would do is beyond me. If I were going to blow up a plane, I certainly wouldn't bother taking a bunch of luggage! But in a world that insists on asking me if I get the senior citizen discount, it was refreshing to be addressed as "young lady" by the security people. So that more than made up for the inconveniences!

There was a four-hour layover in Los Angeles before we boarded Singapore Airlines (the best airline!) for a 14-hour trip across the ocean. Being the old pros that they are, Betty and J.C. fell asleep everytime they sat down, while I watched movies and read. We reached Taipei, where we had another hour layover, then another four hours to Singapore for a 6-hour layover. We went into town to get a video camera for one of the men for his TV work, and J.C. asked me if I wanted to eat at Popeye's. I was scandalized! After finishing our errands, we decided to get back to the airport, where we ate at Burger King. It is a small world. Then it was back on the plane for another four hours to New Delhi.

The brethren picked us up at the airport, drove us to the church building and lugged all our heavy stuff upstairs. After visiting for a few minutes, they left us to ourselves.

The good news was, it was shower time. The bad news was, there was very little water. I will try to attach a picture to show you the shower. It is actually a bucket and a cup. You collect the water in the bucket, wash down and then rinse with the cup. The problem: only a half-gallon of water came out before the spigot dried up! We are still working on this problem. But you would be surprised how far you can stretch a half-gallon of water!

Saturday was a rest day. We went out to buy me some Indian garb. Sunday was wonderful! I met folks I had not seen in 30 years. Some of them had been tiny children when I left India in 1974; others, like me, had grown old and gray and fatter! I also met my internet buddy in person, my friend, Ajit, who is married to one of Sunny David's girls, Pretty. Sunny's mama, who is 82, just hugged and hugged me. I honestly had never expected to see her again.

India is unimaginable to most people. But the brethren are the same everywhere: wonderful to be with. And no matter the differences in dress, customs or language, God is worshipped in spirit and in truth.

by Ron Harper

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man, And He laid His right hand upon me saying, 'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last.'"

Rev. 1:17

John was given a vision of one "like a son of man." With eyes like fire and "like white wool, white as snow," this man had a voice that was like the sound of many waters. His face was "like the sun shining in its strength." What was John's reaction? He fell at this man's feet as a dead man. He realized that he was standing in the presence of the Son of God.

This reaction is typical of those who stood in the presence of God. Isaiah could only think of his own sinfulness. Daniel completely lost all strength. Standing in the presence of God is an awesome experience. It is one that invokes the deepest sense of reverence.

We need to remember that God is God. Reverence for Him must always characterize our worship. We do not come before some supernatural buddy. We bow humbly before the God of the universe.

by J. Randal Matheny

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Isa. 60:1, ESV

Some writers quibble that we cannot add to God's glory, and I suppose they have a point. Perhaps we can but recognize God's glory and reflect it to others. At least, we can enlarge the shining of God's glory among men.

Isaiah's verse above suggests to us several lessons about the glory of God.

First, God bids us leave our sin. Jerusalem is pictured as a prostrate, humiliated woman, punished for her sins, now bidden to rise to welcome the coming of God's glory. How can we cling to the past, to transgression, to guilt, when God shines upon us?

Second, God bids us bask in his light. His desire has always been to bless man. The first thing he did after creating Adam and Eve was to bless them. God's favor spills upon the pentitent, upon the one who is willing to rise to meet the splendorous shower of his presence. His light is cleansing, transforming, empowering.

Third, God bids us fulfill his mission. Shine God's light to the nations. "His glory will be seen upon you" by the peoples of the world (v. 2). Stand up straight, stand tall, let God be evident in you to those around you. "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me," we sing. Yes, indeed. Through word and deed (both are necessary) God will be made known and the nations will come to him.

Give glory to God by leaving sin, receiving his glory, and shining as lights in a dark world. Now that's heavy!