DUTY OF CHURCH MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER
By George I. Butler
Thoughts on Church Government.—No. 7.
DUTY OF CHURCH MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER.
While it is true that the special oversight of the church belongs to the elder, and he has duties growing out of this relation that none other has, yet there are many responsibilities resting upon members, in consequence of their taking upon themselves the obligations of church fellowship. What is the object of church association? It is the benefit which may be obtained by uniting together for a common object. That common object should be the perfection of character which will make us acceptable to God, and thus secure us eternal life and happiness. The mutual relations we sustain to each other in the Christian church are designed to be an assistance to us in securing this object. It is supposed that a number of disciples uniting in church relation may so influence and assist each other that they can make better progress than one alone. The Bible takes this for granted and prescribes the duties connected with this relation. We do not say that this good object is always obtained by such association. Indeed, we fear that the opposite is sometimes realized. But this is because God’s directions are not carried into effect. Therefore it is important that we consider these with care. We recognize the possibility of church association becoming corrupt. Then certainly “evil communications will corrupt good manners.” We should most carefully guard against this terrible perversion; for if that which is designed to be an instrument of man’s salvation becomes the agent of his destruction, the result is terrible. What, then, are the obligations of church members toward each other in church fellowship? In this, they mutually obligate themselves to watch over each other for their mutual good, and to so conduct themselves that their influence upon each other will be salutary. The Bible commands us to meet together in religious worship, thus calling the mind out in devotion to God. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25. Here is a solemn duty made obligatory upon each one. “Exhorting one another” implies a mutual act on the part of all. There are no exceptions given. The benefit of this is very great as a means of grace to help us in the formation of such a character as we must obtain. We cannot make as great improvement without it. All of us need to develop the gift which God has given us, whether it be one talent, or ten. If all really love God and want to serve him, they will wish to talk of him, and of the goodness and mercy he is bestowing. The confession of Christ, of our love, and interest in him, is a religious duty, which we owe to others and ourselves. A neglect on our part to manifest any interest in religious worship, by taking no part, is an evidence, so far as it goes, that we have no interest in it. Our influence, then, to that extent, goes against the worship of God which himself has commanded. Our example over others, then, is bad, and we are not faithful in our church relation. Great importance is to be attached to religious worship. All are commanded to take part in it. The duty of church members toward each other embraces the whole range of moral duty which man owes to his fellow-men, and certain special duties growing out of church relation. We cannot, of course, go into particulars and define all of the former class without writing volumes. The whole Bible contains our instruction pertaining to these general duties. But we would notice some of these special duties growing out of church fellowship. In this, individuals are brought into a great family, God being our father, and Jesus Christ our elder brother, and all of us brethren and sisters. This is a close relation. Says Christ, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John. 13:34, 35, and 15:12. Says John, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” 1 John 3:14. Here we see a special relation, evidenced by the highest love ever seen in the universe, a willingness even to die for another. And this love our Saviour commands us to have. He had it. It does not consist of letting our brethren go to ruin, without making an effort to see their faults for fear we shall hurt their feelings. Our Saviour did not pursue this course, but plainly spoke of his disciples’ faults. But love must prompt our action. We must do it, not to gratify our feelings, but because it will be for the benefit of others. What a power in the world the church might be if it would obey this command of Christ. I boldly affirm that love should lie at the foundation of every action taken in the church in correcting wrongs. It is never allowable to act in such things from selfishness. While selfishness is the principle which actuates the mass of mankind love should be the motive of the Christian. If this was the case, there would be a powerful, yea, almost irresistible, attraction drawing others toward them. But now there is so much selfishness in the church, so many squabbles for precedence, so much backbiting, envy, covetousness, and everything of this nature, that men can see little to desire in church fellowship. That which Christ gave as an evidence of true discipleship is hardly to be found. The only way church members can do to restore this grace is to carry out the Scripture directions themselves, regardless of how others may conduct themselves, and thus be sure, on their part, to set the proper example. By thus doing, they are sure to perfect a proper character and secure salvation, and may also be the means of saving others through their influence. Let us notice a few more scriptures bearing on this point. Says Paul, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” Rom. 12:10. Here is an almost infallible prescription for the cure of church difficulties. Let any member pursue this course in sincerity, giving others the precedence and trying to do them good, even suffering abuse and wrong, without anger and complaint, taking occasion by this to learn a lesson of patience and resignation. Will he be the cause of church trials? Never. Will it be a real loss to himself? No. He will cast a positive influence in favor of Christ and his love. He will be a peacemaker, upon whom the Saviour pronounces a blessing. Thus will he benefit himself and others. This spirit, however, will not keep him from standing up for right, and upholding those called to oversee when a wrong-doer is called to account. Then it will be important that such a one should perceive his wrong and acknowledge it. Again, Paul says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind; let each esteem other better than themselves.” “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” “Likewise ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” Phil. 2:3–5; Eph. 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5. “Oh!” says one, “I can’t submit to my brethren.” Will you disobey a plain command of God and show yourself unworthy to be a Christian? for this is as plainly commanded as any duty in these very scriptures. And, more than this, you deprive yourself of the greatest blessing you could obtain. It will sometime be realized that it is a terrible thing to have our own way. Happiness is the true result of cherishing the meek and quiet spirit. “Learn of me,” says Jesus. “I am meek and lowly of heart.” It is a good lesson, dear friends, however much we may despise it. Church association helps us to learn it if we make the right use of it. “For there must be heresies (sects, schisms,) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” 1 Cor. 11:19. How is this to be accomplished? Why, those who are not reproved will show forth the natural passions of the human heart, stubbornness, pride, passion, hatred, wrath, strife, and such like, while those who are, will be meek, submissive, patient, kind, tender and long-suffering; thus showing that they have the graces of the Spirit of God. It is possible for us to exemplify this spirit in our daily lives, and with our brethren in the church many such examples are needed. We owe special duties to the children of God. “As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. The church member should show this special regard to his brother. How important that all our members should walk in harmony with one another, and thus show themselves members of the family of God. Divisions are always an evidence of little religion. They show that the flesh and not the spirit, has the supremacy. Brethren, let us walk together in love.