by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 13--15

When There Is Strife between Brethren

It is inevitable. There is going to be strife between members of a congregation. The issue is how are we going to deal with it. Pay attention to the way that Moses reveals a problem and how he shows Abraham dealing with it.

7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 8 So Abram said to Lot, Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren (Gen. 13:7, 8).

Did you see what Moses inserted between his statement that there was strife and what Abraham said about it? Moses says, The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. Now why did he say that? Think of what Abraham does. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were witnessing the strife and this was not good. Lot and Abraham were relatives. Moreover, they were believers in the one true God. The people in the land were not. Therefore, what would happen if they witnessed fellow believers of Yahweh God fighting?

Abraham sought the way of peace and, as the rest of the story shows, he was willing to give up things to accomplish that peace. He was not interested in telling everyone else how wrong he thought Lot was.

Friends, if strife arises between you and another in the church, please look at your actions and follow the way of Abraham, who was the friend of God.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100