A very very very important reminder

I like reading articles off the net once in a while. What happened was this: I receive weekly updates on Kuala Lumpur Church of Christ's website and when I was checking through my mails yesterday, I realized that I haven't been visiting their website lately, and so I did it and yes! I received a good reward in return =) And I feel that I need to share this too because it is a very important reminder to Christians- I don't know if it is okay to post the excerpt here, if it isn't then somebody please alert me so that I can take it down in no time. But I will post it anyway for now.

What Members Of A Congregation Owe To Each Other

by Robert Meredith


There are many things that can cause problems within a congregation. Some of those problems are doctrinal. It is sad that many congregations no longer care about the “old paths” set forth by God. Some are concerned more with numbers than they are real growth. Another source of problems within a congregation is how the membership “gets along.” The Scriptures teach us (Titus 2:12) that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we owe certain things to each other. Let us notice a few things that hopefully will help us be what God would have us to be.

The basis of Christian relationships is love (1 Corinthians 13:1-7). A Christian must show love towards others of like faith (2 Peter 1:7). This love will manifest itself by different characteristics, one of which will be a general caring for others. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). This verse simply means to put others ahead of yourself. If Christians would seek to fulfill this command, they would find that they would begin to grow spiritually. Christ is our great example in this area. He did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28), and Christians owe it to themselves and others to put others ahead of self. This caring about others will help develop warmth in relationships, sincerity in character and sympathy in other’s struggles.

Another quality that members of a congregation owe to each other is patience. The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to have this characteristic in Ephesians 4:2, “With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love. Patience will manifest itself by one’s being slow to criticize others. Unwarranted criticism can cause tension which will disrupt the peace and harmony of a congregation. Some criticism is required, but patience and wisdom will cause one to offer constructive criticism when it is needed, not before. Patience will also cause one to seek to restore those who have fallen away from Christ. Paul penned, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). Christians should be long-suffering with other, and some need to be strengthened more than others. Some individuals need help more than others because of spiritual immaturity, being young in the faith or enduring a trial that caused them to stumble. Other Christians owe them patience as they try to restore them.

Respect is another thing which members of the church owe to one another. The fact that one is a sibling in Christ makes one worthy of respect. Respect for one another can be seen by talking and listening to others. “Clicks” harm a congregation’s growth. It is true that people will spend more time with people their own age or people with whom they have more in common; however, one should not be too restricted in his associations. Conversing with everyone and showing that you care about their needs will greatly encourage them and will benefit you even more. Years ago, at another congregation, I was asked by the elders there to start a visitation program. This was a great work and hopefully much good was accomplished through that work. When I was organizing teams, I was informed that certain people should not be put with certain others because they did not get along. My friends, if children of God can not get along on earth, how do you expect them to be in heaven together? Respect is also shown in being courteous. Being kind and considerate of others is essential to being a Christian (Ephesians 4:32).

Members of a congregation also owe to other members enough love to practice what the Lord commands concerning church discipline. When one has departed from God, Christians must go to that individual in an attempt to win him back (James 5:19-20). By following Jesus’ instruction as found in Matthew 18:15-17, members of the church are demonstrating love for God, His church, His word and His wayward child. If you were physically lost, would not you want your loved ones to make every effort to find you and bring you home safely? How much more grave are the eternal consequences for a person who is spiritually lost. One should make every effort to find that lost sibling and encourage him to return to God’s grace. Sometimes that requires “tough love;” the withdrawal of fellowship to prompt the person to repent.

Members of a congregation owe other members so much. Visits to those who are sick, or bereaved over the loss of a loved one are other things that we owe one another. There are so many areas in which most Christians need to grow. Let us strive to help others, and in so doing we will be helping ourselves even more.

Disclaimer: This excerpt has been taken from klcc.faithsite.com