Careful with Our Fellowship
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
It cuts two ways, so let's be ...
Careful with Our Fellowship
by Tim Hall
Surgeons wielding sharp scalpels must be extremely
careful. The scalpel they bear can be an
instrument of great good, enabling the physician
to remove diseased portions of the body and thus
extend the patient's life. That same knife,
however, can slip and cut a crucial artery,
causing life to gush out prematurely. It is a
serious matter to hold so sharp an instrument.
Fellowship is also an instrument that can be used
for good or ill. We normally think of it for its
good effects. Christians are often exhorted to use
their fellowship to encourage and build up one
another. John's statement in 2 John 12 is
representative: "Having many things to write to
you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink;
but I hope to come to you and speak face to face,
that our joy may be full" (New King James
Version). The end in view -- having a full joy --
could only be accomplished by being in the
physical presence of one another. That's the power
of fellowship for good, to lift and encourage, to
edify and bring joy. Christians should look for
opportunities to use this gift in such ways.
On the other hand, fellowship can also be misused,
and the results can be tragic. John spoke of this
danger in the same letter: "Whoever transgresses
and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does
not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of
Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone
comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do
not receive him into your house nor greet him; for
he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (2
John 9-11).
Many of us are by nature non-confrontational. We
have a strong desire to "get along" with others.
If this means overlooking a difference in views,
some swallow hard and smile, pretending to be able
to live with it. It's commendable for us to want
to get along -- but not at the expense of truth.
There come times when every Christian must stand
up and say "No, this is not the way God has taught
us!" Yes, we must always speak the truth in love
(Ephesians 4:15), but attempting to act in love
without speaking the truth is wrong. Continuing to
share fellowship with those who teach ideas
contrary to God's will is dangerous, for in doing
so we actually encourage the teaching of the
error.
When God brings us all into judgment, He will hold
false teachers accountable for their teachings.
But will He not also hold accountable those who
encouraged such teachers by their fellowship?