Jealousy & Quarreling

SINCE THERE IS JEALOUSY AND QUARRELING AMONG YOU, ARE YOU NOT WORLDLY? 1 Corinthians 3.3.

One of our readers, a dear sister, wrote to me a disturbing letter with a heavy heart. She is a young Christian. She and her friends were attending a local church. Then the church had problems with the pastor because of financial and moral scandals. The pastor was asked to step down until they investigated the issues.

This poor sister and her friends, not wanting to take sides or get involved in church politics, went to another church in the locality. Unfortunately, there were strife, divisions and parties in that church too! The pastor too was not without blame. She wrote and asked, “Do the standards set for the leadership in the church in the epistles to Timothy and Titus still apply or not?”

In these days, churches are mushrooming in every corner of nations all across the world through the initiative of energetic young men and women with a vision and passion to serve God and men. This should be a matter of great joy and pride to every Christian.

However, there are churches established by disgruntled, dissatisfied and disappointed leaders! This doesn’t include those established by scandalous leaders who have been disciplined, thrown out or who have taken off by themselves. Quite often it is true that the people who join these newly established churches are also members from other churches with similar problems in their own lives! In many new churches, the members are like the men in the army of David when he was a fugitive! “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him” (1 Samuel 22.2). All these make for a very explosive situation in some churches.

Any Christian who is young or old who wants to join a new church in his or her locality should be wise enough to do some research as to the background of the church. In addition, it is good to go to that church for a period of time to find out more about its leadership, teachings, practice and fellowship. Not all churches are the same!

The church you choose to go to must be one that teaches the Bible and holds fast its precepts and practices literally, both by its leadership and members. It must be a church where there is visible love and unity among the people and the leaders. Look for a church with leaders who show care and concern for the people and are willing to shepherd them. It must be a lively church with active worship of God in truth and Spirit. The church should be a place where your spiritual as well as social and physical needs and that of your family are met. If you are young or you have young children, you must look for a church with an active young congregation. Avoid any church where there is a party spirit or rivalry. Join a church not to cause problems but to build it up with your prayerful support and hearty cooperation.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I pray for a good church (if you are looking for one) where Christ is honoured, the Bible is taught and people are cared for. Lord, bless my church and make it reflect more and more of Your love and compassion and purity. Lord, show me ways in which I can contribute towards that end. Amen.