The Encourager
“Hidden Reefs by Daniel & Jennifer Simpkins”
Jude wrote to his brethren to warn them of false teachers who had crept into the church. He called them “hidden reefs” (verse 12). Like corral reefs in the ocean, barely submerged beneath the waves, these men were very dangerous and could shipwreck the saints’ faith. They were dangerous not just because of the false doctrine they taught, but also because they were “grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires” (verse 16). Even if we are not going about teaching error, we too can be hidden reefs, threatening to wreck our brothers and sisters with discouragement. As Jude noted, we can destroy our brethren’s motivation and even their faith by constantly complaining. Too easily we can become like the children of Israel, complaining about what we see as hardship and failing to see how blessed we truly are. God takes this very seriously and says it is the equivalent of testing Him (I Corinthians 10:9-10). Neither should we grumble against one another. Nothing will destroy a church faster than gossip and talking about one another behind our brethren’s backs. “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged” (James 5:9). Instead of continually bemoaning our situation, we should be focusing on our blessings and praising God for them. Paul admonished the Christians at Colossae to be always “abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). Over and over again, we read of Paul giving thanks for his brothers and sisters in Christ. Even when he was writing to correct sinful practices, Paul made it a point to express his thankfulness for his brethren (I Corinthians 1:4). The church is full of different personalities and sometimes we clash. Despite this, we should be focused on encouraging one another. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up” (I Thessalonians 5:11). When we do that, we will not be dragging our brethren down, but lifting up one another. Another way we can be a discouragement to our brothers and sisters is by being impatient, judgmental, and unwilling to listen to one another. The Bible clearly teaches that we are to judge one another’s deeds by the Scripture. If we see a brother living in a way contrary to God’s Word, we should go to them in gentleness and love for their soul. That is not being judgmental. However, when we are critical of another’s motives or actions simply with the intent of finding fault with them – that is being judgmental. Even when we go to someone we believe to be in error, we need to approach them with meekness and a willingness to listen. Perhaps we misunderstood them or we do not have the entire story. In all things, we need to extend to one another the same love and patience that God gives us. As James counseled, “You also be patient. … Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door . … [Y]ou have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful “(James 5:8-9, 11). God does not write us off even after we have made mistake after mistake. “As a father shows compassion to His children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). When we remember that we often unintentionally give offense and that we constantly fall into sin, then we will have the humility to show patience. Instead of being harsh with one another and refusing to hear their side of things, we need to work on having “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these things put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14). Only then will peace and unity reign within the church. If we do not practice love, we will be hidden reefs, threatening to tear the church apart. There are some within the church who may not be complainers or contentious members, but who are apathetic or complacent. Are we simply attending worship to “check the box?” Are we only trying to appease someone in our family? Do we simply come in to warm the pew? If we are not participating in the worship service, our brothers and sisters notice. If we are not helping with the work of the church, our brethren notice. It can be a huge source of discouragement and can dim the spiritual fire within those around us. The Hebrew writer reminds us that one of the purposes of assembling is to encourage one another: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another …” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This goes beyond the worship assemblies. We need to always be finding ways to stoke the flame within our brethren. That may mean helping out at a work day, sending cards to the sick or sorrowful, taking time to ask someone how they are doing and really listening, getting together for a Bible study THE EASTSIDE ENCOURAGER A publication of the Eastside church of Christ Shelbyville, TN 1803 Madison St. Shelbyville, TN 37160 www.churchateastside.com Nov, 26, 2017 …There are so many ways we can build one another up and help each other in doing good deeds. Yet, it requires that we be active and we take time out of our busy schedules to make it a priority. It is another part of showing true love to one another – and in the process, we will find ourselves growing. One of the worst ways we can become hidden reefs for our brothers and sisters is by being hypocritical. If we come on Sunday and act like Christians, but then go out and live our lives like the world, we can deal some heavy damage to others’ faith. We may cause some to stumble, especially the spiritually weak who may justify some sin by saying to themselves, “Well, So-and-So did that. I can do this and it’ll be OK.” For others, it may be a discouragement to see that our faith is not genuine, especially if we have a close personal relationship with them. As Paul admonished, “Let love be genuine” (Romans 12:9). He then went on to explain what genuine love looks like. “Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. … Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. … Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. … Live in harmony with one another. … Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (verses 9-21). Our words and actions everyday should show that we are a new creation in Christ. Instead of dressing like, talking like, and acting like everyone around us, we need to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). As Christians, we should have two ultimate goals: to get to heaven and to take as many people along with us as we can. Thus, we need to be watchful so that we do not inadvertently become stumbling blocks or hidden reefs for those around us. Instead of complaining and grumbling about our brethren, let us give thanks and praise. Instead of being severe, unyielding, and unsympathetic, let us be gentle, patient, and ready to listen. Instead of being complacent, let us be zealous to do God’s work and encourage others to be hard workers as well. Instead of being hypocritical and worldly, let us be holy and set a good example. Let us allow love to guide us in all we say and do. “Love is patient and kind. … It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. … Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (I Corinthians 13:4-7). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
