Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of planned articles regarding the growth of the local church wherever you might assemble. They are written with the prayerful desire that they generate serious thought within each member regarding his/her responsibility toward the numerical and, more importantly, SPIRITUAL growth of the local church.
How Are We Growing?
Part Five: Don’t Forget Matthew 7:12
Matthew 7:12 “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Most will recognize this passage as “the golden rule.” We tend to make sure children memorize it and practice it among their peers. But the careful student will note that Jesus spoke this commandment to adults! It was the adults who needed to learn this truth. They needed to learn whether kindness, love, and courtesy were returned or not, it was the responsibility of each one to treat others with the same respect, love, kindness, and courtesy they desired to receive. These were no different than folks in today’s world. These people had those among them who considered themselves “superior” to others and weren’t bashful about declaring this arrogance. They had some who felt “entitled” to benefits others had earned by working hard to obtain those items. They had those who were treated as a “ne’er-do-well” and ignored by the general public. Yes, their populace wasn’t all that different from ours in cultural prominence – and its opposite.
Jesus set the pattern for all mankind. (1 Peter 2:21) Never do we find Him ignoring others as if they were unworthy of His attention. Never do we find Him “bragging” about His accomplishments to improve His stature with man's consideration of Himself. Never do we find Him arrogantly demanding a certain demeanor from others without demanding the same of Himself. He was the epitome of Matthew 7:12. Even as He was being crucified, He did not retaliate, but said, “Father, forgive them …”
Arrogance is our fancy word for “pride.” In our culture, we’ve made “pride” not only an acceptable word, but an acceptable conduct. But note what the wise man wrote about “pride” and “haughtiness.” “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 The word “haughty” in this passage means, “blatantly and disdainfully proud: having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior” (Merriam-Webster). It is a deadly illness of the character of man, and when allowed to have its prominence in the attitudes and actions of Christians, it is deadly to the growth of the local church of Christ!
The New Testament finds the word “pride” in three separate texts. The first is Mark 7: 21 – 23 and reads, “ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” From this, we understand “pride’ begins in the mind! Christ’s word is to dwell there richly in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16). If it does, then there is no place left for “pride.” The second is 1 Timothy 3:6, where Paul is listing qualifications for an elder. “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” Prideful men are not qualified to be elders! Why? The simple reason is that pride is not godly! Its display condemns, and if we apply Matthew 7:12 with this reasoning, how many truly want to follow someone who consistently boasts of himself? The third is 1 John 2:16, where John gives us an understanding of three areas where sin is found: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” If these three items are of the world, and not of God, why would the Christian desire to possess them? Much more to the point, if YOU detest others “throwing this kind of stuff in your face,” don’t you think those you are trying to persuade to obedience of the gospel would detest them also?
Churches of Christ grow where brotherly love abounds (article one of this series). Pride, haughtiness, arrogance, whatever word you want to use to describe this attitude, never produces growth! Instead, it results in harm that is too often irreparable! Whether we ADULTS admit it or not, Matthew 7:12 is still applicable! People don’t want to be mistreated, and Christians need to set the example of how to rightly treat others. This is especially so when you consider the first part of Matthew 7, verses 1 – 5, which speaks of how we must not be quick to condemn others until we have first corrected our own ills! As the adage says, “You can’t point a finger without having three more pointing back at you!” To place a scripture with this fact, use 2 Corinthians 13:5. Self-examination is what every Christian needs – every day!
Can churches of Christ grow? Certainly, and they must! It requires diligence in adhering to God’s word, diligence in building up one another in the most holy faith, and treating others with respect, i.e., brotherly love! We must not be afraid to speak the truth to others, and do it with love and genuine concern for the soul! If we do things God’s way, there is no possible way to fail! When we decide to take matters into our own hands and do it our way, then we fail and miserably so! Let’s be satisfied to obey God in all we say and do – and grow!