There is a very fine line between Truth and Error sometimes it may be hard to see the line
There are many different situations that may present themselves to one in ministry and those that are members of a church community. As in all situations where people are involved there are those that can and will resolve problems and those that cannot or will not work to resolve problems to the glory of Christ .
Many people whether ministers or members take the position that because in their own view they are right that an apology is below them. Christ suffered much injustice and if we be led by the Spirit of Christ and that Spirit dwell in us we should be as meek and also be servant oriented as Christ was. Are we not also as sheep led to the slaughter? Perhaps many take the position that being part of ministry or a community of believers somehow makes them better or of a higher status or pecking order then those outside the church community. Christ never assumed this position but befriended sinners, helped the poor, hungry and those that were sick. Christ became as one of the common people he served in his ministry. Christ did not require a fine chariot to carry him around or an army of soldiers to offer the appearance of power against the weak. Christ did not even have a house a pillow or chariot. Christ didn't confirm his success by maintaining a (well to do) kind of lifestyle with fabulous earthly possessions. Christ did not sit with the very rich and proper when he ate but had all things in common with those he served. Christ didn't say I deserve to be rich and have the finest that life can offer because I am the I Am!
Here is where we see the appearance of humility in one that truly follows Christ. The laborer is worthy of his hire but one should not be full in the Christian community and another hungry. One that is a servant should not be dressed in fine linen while those he serves is begging bread. One in the believers community should not feel they need to hide the fact that they are poor or that it is shameful not to have more then inadequate provisions.
Where does this leave those that Lord over the flock of Christ? Do they not know that the same Christ that Spiritually resides within the Spirit filled believer is also the very same Christ that died on Calvary for the poor, lost, sick, battered and wounded sheep of our day also?
Perhaps today many have elevated themselves above the Christ of the Bible and have become vain in their religion and understanding to their own hurt and to Christ's body also. We should compare our decisions, lifestyle and priorities to those of Christ. How painful it must be to our Christ that hungered for days at a time and had great compassion for the hungry, sick and poor to see the ministers and Church communities rich, gluttonous and feasting on Christ's body in our day. Christ paid the ultimate price for his Church and Bride. Christ would speak to us today and say "she is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone." Her life is sustained by Christ's blood and no man can snatch her loyalty away except it come through deception and evil as in the case of Eve in the garden.
Christ does not need flesh and blood to defend or speak on his behalf he said everything that needed to be said to the human race when he purchased life for us at Calvary.
Romans 2:11 There is no respect of persons with God.
If one has exalted himself, or esteems himself as one better or more deserving because of wisdom or office he or she is vain in their understanding and has been blinded by the Spirit of error. This attitude is anti-Christ in nature and is a destroying force in the believers community. Have we not all the same father as spirit filled followers of Christ our Lord?
Romans 2:19 - 2:24 Speaks to those who hold themselves above reproach and have respect of persons.
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Even an infidel can clearly see if one esteems himself to be greater then his master (Jesus Christ of which we are to example and preach) and takes advantage of Christ's flock.
One cannot preach effectively about a loving seeking God and Savior that bankrupt heaven to come to earth as a man, gave of his own life as a sacrifice that others may live if they themselves are not following Christ's example of humility.
If the one sounding the trumpet has respect of self or persons is he following Christ? Is the Spirit and witness of Christ residing and shining out of that person? There was nothing at all selfish or self promoting in Christ's nature he came to serve not to be served.
Many today are coveting Christ's heritage as Gahazi was with Elisha when he saw the working of miracles through God's prophet.
In 2 Kings 5, Gehazi is sent by Elisha to communicate the truth to Naaman. Gehazi has the truth; but, when the prophet will not take anything from Naaman, Gehazi will. This is the principle. "Went not mine heart with thee", says the prophet, "when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive yards and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men servants, and maid servants?" – all to suit himself. Then he adds: "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow". That is a Laodicean. He had light, but he considered for himself; he had not self-control, not self-mortification enough, to keep himself from coveting things that belong to Naaman.
Are we living in a day when ministers and even whole communities of believers have been duped into coveting God's heritage and taking ill gotten gain at Christ's expense? One can only find this answer through self examination in the spotlight of God's written word. Those that fail to do the will of the father as Christ exampled to us will be uprooted and cast into bed with Babylon and her daughters. They will feast on the fineries of Babylon with gold silver and the status of the elite.
But woe to them when Christ shall judge Babylon and the fires of judgment come. Babylon will be as wood hay and stubble and no ministry or community will be guiltless before God having built upon this shaky foundation rather then upon Christ and his example!
2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
We are told by the apostle Paul to be of one mind. Is this the Pastors mind? The deacons mind? The smartest and most educated of minds in the believer's community? NO! We are to all have the same mind as our Lord Jesus Christ.
Those that confront error must do so in a Biblical manner in the sight of witnesses.
1 Tim 5:17
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Whether one is a member of the church community or one in a position of authority if one willfully sins to the hurt of Christ's body, publicly they should repent or be rebuked as one that is in error (Not following Christ's example). No man, community or ministry is an island unto itself! Christ has purchased us with his own blood and he is just and Truth is his Character. One that fights against the Word of Truth and God's justice finds himself beating the air and fighting against Christ himself!
There are those that are not able to make peace within the mindset of Christ and God's Word. This cannot be done if we do not have the mind of Christ! The only option in these situations is a parting of the ways. One cannot compromise the Mind of Christ, the Will of Christ or the Integrity of Christ to Fear, Judgment, or risk of excommunication. If having the mind of Christ gets you excommunicated count it all joy to suffer for the Lords sake!
If your excommunicated because your not following Christ nor have the Mind of Christ then study of the Word and prayer should bring a sincere person to repentance and reconciliation.
The Word is the final say on all matters pertaining to the will of God and his purpose for mankind. Law and Justice is always firm and final. Law and Justice is established by God's Word. God's perfect Law does not bear unbridled emotion and contempt for those who seek to obey God's Law. God's Law only speaks to the heart of those that have opened their heart and mind to the Spirit and the witness of Jesus Christ. However there is no respect of persons with God. Whether right or wrong Minister or Saint. God's law will judge all in this life and the hereafter.
A sheep will normally turn away from a wolf and run when confronted. A sheep is not equipped to challenge a wolf. The sheep may try to stand it's ground believing it's the right thing if protecting it's young. A wolf will meet the challenge by killing the sheep or it's baby and when he, the bloody wolf ,has had his fill he will leave the carcass for the rest of the pack to feed on.
Perhaps we should note the Judgment of King Belshazzar who abused the vessels of honor in his possession from the Temple?
Dan 5:3-5
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which [was] at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone
In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.
Dan 5:22-30
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
This [is] the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and [put] a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
Belshazzar abused his office and the vessels of God, Belshazzar did too little too late to spare the kingdom. In the end he found that all that was in his possession was taken away and given to another. To who is given little even that may be taken away and given to him that hath much.
Luke 19:26
For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
We are to be as Christ if the Spirit of Christ dwell in us. Seek Godly peace with all people and do not attempt to fool those around you. If your witness is one that has exalted self above the Master our Lord Jesus Christ repent and change your direction today that others may see and follow Christ rather then error. Jesus divested himself of majesty and took on humility shouldn't this be our witness today?
J.W. Mills