The article in last week’s bulletin dealt with being among the kind of trouble this world presents and how God is able to deliver us from those problems.  One thing not mentioned in that article is how we should be able to find comfort among our brethren (I Thessalonians 5:11).  We should be able to be built up in the presence of the saints who are to be of like precious faith (Ephesians 4:16 and II Peter 1:1).  Yet, sometimes we run from the world with our hearts open into the arms of brethren that are just like the troubled world we seek not to be a part of.  Instead of comfort and edification we find brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving themselves instead of the Lord.  Is it really possible to have problems within the local congregation?  What should we do if there is?  Should we just give up?

     No student of the Scriptures should ever be surprised to find that there are problems within the body of Christ.  People make up the church (I Corinthians 12:27).  People do sin (Romans 3:23).  When sin is not repented of it can move on to others like a contagious disease (I Corinthians 5:6-7, Galatians 5:9, and II Timothy 2:16-18).  Thus, not only one or two members, but a whole group of Christians can fail through sin (Revelation chapters 2-3).  It may not even be as obvious to them as it is to you.  For example, a congregation may think it is at peace and has no problems.  The reason they think they are at peace is that there are never any disagreements.  Yet, the reason there are no disagreements is that everyone believes they can agree to disagree.  This of course is scripturally wrong (Philippians 3:16).  Thus, they have a false sense of unity (Amos 3:3 and I Corinthians 1:10).  How about a congregation that does not discipline those walking disorderly?  They think nothing is wrong, but they fail to see they ALL are disobeying the Lord’s clear instructions on congregational discipline (II Thessalonians 3:6; 14-15).

     While there are congregations who are in trouble through willful ignorance, the Lord also warns of those who have intentions to cause others to err among the local flock.  Jesus said: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15).  Paul had to warn those in Ephesus about false brethren from outside as well as WITHIN the local flock: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:28-31).  Peter prophesied that some would attempt to creep in with false doctrines (II Peter 2:1-3).  Jude later confirmed that this occurred (Jude 3-4).

     When such warnings as those just mentioned are made today, brethren think that we are being alarmists (Ezekiel 33:30-32).  Those individuals are the ones who have already given heed to the devil.  They have accepted the doctrine of a naïve Christian who thinks that all around them is good.  The Lord did not warn us of something that would not occur.  Paul did not shed tears over a false alarm.  Peter did not prophesy of something that would not be and Jude did not confirm something that was not so.  Evil has to creep in among the flock.  There is no other place that faithful Christians are as vulnerable.  Satan has to work through craftiness and subtlety (II Corinthians 11:3).

     The Lord warns us of trouble that creeps within the church just as He warns us of the sins of the world (II Peter 2:20).  Furthermore, the Lord warns us against friendship with the world (James 4:4).  He also warns us of fellowship with those who were of the flock and have since chosen to walk no longer according to His will (Romans 16:17-18, Ephesians 5:11, and II John 9-11).  Paul asked: “…for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness” (II Corinthians 6:14)?  While the contextual application is about fellowship with the unbeliever, one still begs to ask, what does a faithful Christian have in common with one who has deserted the Lord?  Ignoring sin among the flock will only cause it to spread.  Dealing with sin among the flock by following the ways of sin will cause everyone to be lost.  So, what does a Christian do when they find no escape from the world because those same troubles have infected the local congregation?

     There are only two reasons a Christian would feel like an outsider among the saints.  It is either because of their sinfulness or the sins of the brethren.  Let’s use a scenario for clarity.  Let’s say that a Christian couple has come to services on a Sunday evening.  Earlier that Lord’s Day they overheard some of their brethren talking about some of the others in a derogatory way.  So, this couple decides to confront these backbiters according to the scriptures (Matthew 18:15).  They are shunned.  They decide to involve others according to the scriptures (Matthew 18:16).  The others do not want to get involved.  They take a couple of weeks as they seek for more help and others respond denying them in a like manner.  By this time the situation is basically before the church because the gossip continued to spread and now included gossip about the concerned couple who were trying to follow the Scriptures (Matthew 18:17).  Those who had truly sinned have now convinced the remainder of congregation that the godly husband and wife, who tried to do what is right, are liars.  No one will stand for what’s right.  They are faced with one of two options.  They can continue to worship there where no one will deal with sin, where they’ll be shunned, or they can leave.  Sadly, there is no other congregation nearby that is sound.  What shall they do?

     While the church had few in Sardis who did not defile their garments (Revelation 3:4), the couple in the above scenario is in a position that differs from that of the congregation in Sardis.  They would not change the hearts and minds of those in sin and that is not from a lack of effort.  These brethren could either move to a location where there are faithful saints and hope that congregation will continue to remain that way or they can start a congregation where the truth is not only taught, but also applied.  They cannot allow themselves to do nothing or worse yet, to fall away because they feel they are out of options.  If they are incapable of knowing how and what to do, they should not tamper with starting a congregation that will later be turned over to Satan because of mistakes made in ignorance.  Would it be hard to pack up and move?  Sure!  Yet, this is what being a disciple of Christ is about (Luke 14:26-33).  With God we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

     When the case is different than our scenario and others will listen, we need to try and teach truth while opposing those who bring sin into the local flock.  This may mean there will be discouraging times, but the Lord’s church is worth fighting for and even taking a few bruises over.  If we want to do what is right we will contend with the wicked (Proverbs 28:4).  The faithful are watchman who have to give the warning (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:3).  We have to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3).

     That old serpent the Satan is working hard among God’s people.  He wants us back in his fold.  We cannot be discouraged that the church is sometimes infiltrated by false brethren.  If you read throughout the New Testament you will find that such was true in nearly every epistle that was written.  Throughout the Old Testament there were always those who betrayed God among His own people.  They too often tried to lead others away and many times succeeded.  Remember Jesus tried to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST (Luke 19:10).  Today is no different!

     Paul did not look for excuses when left alone, he said: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (II Timothy 4:14-18).  Our brethren may forsake us, but God will never leave the side of the faithful!