Dear Br. Phillip:
It is a joy to write to brothers in the faith, such as yourself; to communicate with them of the mysteries of Christ. It isn’t necessary to speak carefully, least some confusion over doctrine obscure or distract the relationship that should exist between brothers in Christ. So often, it seems, we must guard our words and expressions least others, who are deceived by Satan into believing a lie, take offense at the plain truth and the moment of influence pass into eternity because of a careless word or hasty, unguarded expression. But such is not the case among brothers of the same faith and for this I am glad.
But, between Christian brothers, no such barriers exist, or should
exist. We should be all of the same mind for we worship and love
the same Jesus and are comforted by the same Holy Spirit with
the same Father as our judge and Advocate.
Just as the food we eat either strengthens or weakness us, gives
us health of illness, so the type of spiritual food we eat influences
our minds and perceptions. Thus, the quality of our spiritual
experience depends on the food we feed our minds. If we think
of the Lord Jesus, his love, his kindness, his meritorious life
that he freely gives us, then our spiritual experience is right,
constantly growing in grace and the influence we cast about ourselves
is uplifting and wholesome.
However, if we constantly or habitually engage in criticism, faultfindings,
or negative, sarcastic remarks about our brothers and sisters,
our spiritual experience is dwarfed, our minds become weak, and
the sun shine of our influence becomes clouds and darkness. By
dwelling on the mistakes or faults of others, we acquire a bad
case of religious indigestion.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are
of good report; if there be any virtues, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
How often do we love to hear the latest church gospel. To dwell
upon the faults and failings and mistakes of our brothers and
sisters. To feast upon the latest scandal, to serve up the juiciest
tidbit of rumor, to serve roast preacher or deacon for dinner
and to finish off this delicious meal with a desert of unasked
for or unsolicited advice for the erring of how they should act
or behave according to the gospel of Allen or Phillip or some
other equally useful gospel.
As we partake of this feast, our minds become crippled and dwarfed,
our influence becomes darkened and morose. Let us dwell upon the
matchless charms and beauty of Christ, we dwell upon his love
and grace, his manners, and words, our minds enlarge, and our
capacity to understand more of Christ expands, crowding out all
selfishness and fault finding until there is room only for thoughts
of love and joy, instead of criticism and dark surmising.
We should cultivate humility, self-distrust (for we know not what
evil lies hidden in our own hearts), generosity with the reputations
of others and seek for the good, the beautiful, the righteous,
the kind and merciful in others for there is an abundance of these
qualities to behold, if we but look for them as assiduously as
we look for the bad and ugly. We should strive to become large-hearted
and generous with our thoughts and comments. Seek the happiness
of others, desire to protect their reputation from those who would
tear it down in the name of a false Christ. If we endeavor to
build up people, rather then tearing them down, then many sons
and daughters will be lead to a knowledge of Christ through our
unspoken influence. The atmosphere, we carry about us is as real
as the poisonous atmosphere over a large metropolitan area or
the country fresh, sweet, winds of the mountains.
We are either a source of spiritual pollution to others who must
breath in our atmosphere or we may open the windows of heaven
and admit the sunlight of Christ’s countenance and his joy
that fills the heart and life with light and gladness. Which will
it be? The choice is left to us as to the type of atmosphere we
carry about us.
If we seek faults in others, and certainly there are many to be
found, then our first concern should be to build them up in the
Lord. We may strengthen them, encourage them to look to Christ,
pray for them and love them with a practical demonstration of
interest that will win their affections, first to us, and then
to God as they are lead to realize and acknowledge that our concern
and love for them is but a faint representation of how Christ
loves them. Thus we may restore to health many a sin-sick soul,
languishing on a sick bed of suffering, waiting only the refreshing
atmosphere of Christ’s presence to regain strength and health.
As we strive to cultivate humility and meekness in ourselves,
we shall see less of the faults of others for these very faults
that we formerly condemned we now see are the very ones we posses
and the ones that cause us the most difficulty. It is a spiritual
law of the mind that we see the faults in others that we ourselves
posses to a greater degree.
“Fear not, “ Christ says to you and to me, “for
I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art
mine.” Isaiah 43:1 “Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalms 46:10
How much better to trade the mind of criticism for the peaceful,
restful mind of the Lord. He offers rest from the embittered and
tortured existence we call criticism and offers rest to the weary
soul.
May the Lord richly bless you, your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson