by Eberhard Arnold

Editor's note: We have an exception article in Forthright today. This Bruderhof community rule was written in 1926, five years after its establishment. The author wrote: "Hang this reminder at your place of work, where it is always before your eyes." How different would we all be if the rule was practiced ...

There is no law but love. Love is joy in others. What, then, is anger at them? Words of love convey the joy we have in the presence of our brothers and sisters. It is out of the question to speak about another person in a spirit of irritation or vexation.

There must never be talk, either in open remarks or by insinuation, against any brother or sister, or against their individual characteristics -– and under no circumstances behind their back. Gossiping in one’s family is no exception. Without this rule of silence there can be no loyalty and thus no community. Direct address is the only way possible. It is a service we owe anyone whose weaknesses cause a negative reaction in us.

An honest word spoken openly and directly deepens friendship and will not be resented. Only when two people do not come to an agreement quickly is it necessary to draw in a third person whom both of them trust. In this way they can be led to a solution that unites them on the highest and deepest levels.

Reproduced with permission from www.bruderhof.com .

[Editor's note: Here's a great guest article today, again on the needed topic of spiritual growth.]

Growing in the Faith by Wayne Pope

Even in the midst of trouble and trials, the church in Thessalonica was making spiritual progress. Many of us today are facing issues and problems, and the question may be asked, “Are we growing in the faith?” Growing in faith is both necessary and vital to our salvation. Many ask the question of what it means to grow in faith. Three basic elements are involved.

First, growing in faith demands that we listen to the will of God. Paul wrote that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), so in order to grow in faith we must study the Word. It is difficult to ever possess assurance or confidant trust in God if we do not practice a diligent study of the Bible.

Additionally, we will never grow if we do not desire to be fed with the Word. Saving, active, and growing faith cannot be sustained without a steady diet of Bible Study.

Growing in faith also demands we live the will of God. Faith apart from works is useless and dead (James 2:14-26). If we want to make our calling and election sure, then our faith must grow by adding to it the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-7).

As knowledge is acquired, we must learn to use it wisely and with all patience, godliness, and brotherly kindness. Only those who exercise their faith can be said to possess a growing faith.

Third, growing in faith demands that we love the will of God. Each of us should grow in faith enough to serve God because of our love for Him, not entirely motivated out of a fear of punishment. One who has grown in faith does not view the commandments of God as grievous or burdensome, but he views them as an honor and a privilege (1 John 5:3).

Growing faith learns the joy and happiness of serving God while hungering and thirsting for its precepts. “Oh, how I love thy law! It is my mediation all the day” (Psalm 119:97).

Has your faith grown? Are you progressing in faith to say you listen to, live, and love the will of God? If not, begin today to awaken your dormant faith.

“Continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” (Colossians 1:23)

Wayne is the minister of involvement at the Broken Arrow, Olka., church. Article used by permission.

by Dr. Michael Landon

1. Conflict can be good, useful, creative.

2. Admit your own part in creating problem. Apologize.

3. Admit problem may only be your imagination. Don't get into mind-reading. Do talk with person in order to check perceptions.

4. Make "I feel, I think (don't know), my imagination says" statements. Be very careful in making accusations.

5. Avoid bringing up old history, especially if you've already argued about it.

6. Don't make exaggerated claims (always, never, all, none). You can say, "I know it's not true, but is seems like you always ..."

7. Go for win/win or no deal, when possible.

8. Don't criticize something the other person can't change.

9. It's generally best to go privately (Matthew 18), unless you feel physically threatened.

10. When confronted by anger, don't respond with anger.

11. Avoid over-focusing (determine that the person is the problem). Solve the problem; don't attack the person.

Michael is Professor of Bible and Missions at Southwest Christian College in Terrell, Texas, and a former missionary to Brazil.

2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4 by Alvaro Cesar Pestana*

If God's servant is unconcerned with the rebellious human reaction to God, how will he have some positive influence in the world? Will this servant lose contact with the people he intends to help? Actually, the disciple will be greatly influential in his efforts in God's work in two ways: loving and prophesying (preaching).

The servant's influence is not based in any supposed "authority conferred upon me," neither in claiming a "superior position." The idea that a servant is a leader of the people or special representative of God has origin in pagan concepts, not in any clear teaching of Jesus.

The Christian ministry influences by love. See Paul's case in 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 and 7:2-4. He makes his appeal based on the love he has for them. It may appear to be a weak appeal for fighting against the rebellious, but Christ has already shown it is the only effective one. The best means of influencing is to serve, and to serve by death. This is what Jesus did, and this is what we will do.

The Christian minister is also a prophet and, occasionally, a furious prophet. This is why he does not hold back from the truth, whomever it may hurt. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 are some of the hardest found in the New Testament. It is the voice of a John the Baptist who cries out for repentance. The servant will influence others by acting as God's prophet, or spokesman, courageously announcing his plan to the people.

This mixture of lover-spokesman is uncommon, but necessary. It is not possible for God's servants to show love to others if they do not act as spokesmen. On the other hand, acting as spokesman does not exclude love. May Jonah be the only hater-prophet we know!

The literary structure of 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4 confirms this mixture of love and prophecy. The text begins speaking of love and affection (6:11-13), suddenly speaks in tones of the furious prophet (6:14-7:1), and finally returns to the affectionate voice full of love (7:2-4).

The servant influences by loving radically and preaching radically. He is ready to die for others and, at the same time, proclaims the danger of death for those disobedient to God.

*Translated from Alvaro's book, Dores do Crescimento: Um Estudo Devocional de 2 Coríntios 2.14-7.4 (Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil: Revista Edificação, 1997), pp. 23-24. Used by permission.

by Michael E. Brooks

[Editor's note: This article was written exclusively for Forthright. Mike is teaching at the Khulna Bible College in Bangladesh. He'll be there until December 17. He also makes trips into Nepal. His good wife Brenda will join him in a few weeks and remain for a month. Please pray for these two wonderful people.]

"Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, 'Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.' And His disciples heard it. . . . When evening had come, He went out of the city. Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.' So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God'" (Mark 11:12-14; 19-22).

Our discussion of Jesus' cursing of the fig tree usually focuses on one or both of two areas of emphasis. We ask, "Why did He curse a tree that was doing nothing wrong"? Or we focus on the statement following these verses concerning the power of faith and His promise of such power to the Apostles.

Both are legitimate and important concerns. But by limiting our reading to the verses above, we notice another possible emphasis of Mark’s. That is the suddenness of the miracle. Was Peter amazed at the fact that the tree died, or by the quickness of its demise?

We have all seen trees and other plants wither and die. Even when cut down or uprooted it usually takes days, or even weeks for the leaves to completely wither and turn brown. This tree showed total withering overnight. Amazing!

It is no coincidence that this miracle occurred less than one week before Jesus would be taken by an angry mob, tried, condemned, and executed. This in spite of the "triumphal entry" of just days before, and the great success of his public teaching in Jerusalem all during the week. With great abruptness the apostles' world will be torn apart.

So it often happens to us. Life is good. We live normally, keeping our schedules. Suddenly, with no warning, tragedy occurs. A regular doctor’s visit reveals life-threatening illness. An accident takes a loved one. We are "down-sized" and lose our jobs. Suddenly! No warning! Life is like that.

Now Jesus’ answer becomes relevant. "Have faith in God." This is not about trying to acquire power to match that of Christ. It is about responding to the unexpected. Dealing with the tragic. Understanding the bizarre. How could "it" happen? We don’t have to know. Because God is in charge, we can just accept whatever circumstance brings us, knowing that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Rom. 8:28).

Peter, get ready. More stunning things than a dead tree are about to happen. You are going to need help to deal with them. But that help is there, abundantly. Have faith in God!