Neal Pollard
“What did he mean by that?” “Those elders never get it right!” “You know our preacher. What else would you expect?” “That deacon is destined to fail.” “Those people at church!” “They don’t like me.”
What would it be like to work with a congregation that had people who openly flaunted their sexual immorality, that was divisive, that even was guilty of worshiping pagan idols, that had members who were filled with sinful pride and arrogance, whose wealthy members neglected and mistreated the poor members, and who saw spiritual works and involvement as a competition? That was not a nightmare for the apostle Paul. It was a reality. The church was in Corinth, and he wrote multiple letters to them. The first one preserved by God in the Bible addressed a variety of problems including the above-mentioned ones. Then, in the epistle we know as 2 Corinthians, Paul conducts a follow up in which he commends their penitent spirit and encourages them to find comfort in Christ despite trials. No fewer than four times, Paul speaks of having confidence in them. As he viewed their reformation of character, he said, “I have confidence in you” (2 Cor. 2:3). Later, he says, “Great is my confidence in you” (2 Cor. 7:4). A few verses later, he says, “I rejoice that in everything I have confidence in you” (2 Cor. 7:16). He even relates Titus’ “great confidence” in Corinth (2 Cor. 8:22).
Paul is often credited for his master psychology, his knowledge of how to treat the brethren to “get the most” out of them. Yet, if Paul was this disingenuous manipulator, he would not draw heaven’s praise nor would he have found sustained success. The right conclusion is that Paul really did have confidence in his brethren. That does not mean that he thought they would never let him down or that he was gullible and naïve. It did not mean that he did not reprove and rebuke in appropriate measures. But, it did mean that Paul had faith in the average Christian’s ability to know and do “the right thing.”
Every church has its stumbling blocks, but no congregation could survive for any length of time made up entirely of them. Most congregations have a healthy number of building blocks and we do well to address them as Paul did Corinth. Do we have faith in each other? Or do we assume the worst motives and intentions on the part of others? Not only is that somewhat paranoid and miserable, but it is quite un-Paul-like. Let us have confidence in the other fellow. And let us strive to be worthy of others’ confidence in us!
Tag: love
CONDITIONAL LOVE
Neal Pollard
In every area of life I can think of, conditions are necessary. Contracts almost always contain clauses, caveats, and quid pro quos. Jesus even provided conditions for the marriage “contract,” allowing one whose mate commits fornication to divorce and remarry an eligible person (Mat. 19:9) or one whose mate dies to marry an eligible person (Rom. 7:1-4). Though making no allowance for remarriage, as some say, Paul does add that one does not have choose marital obligations to a mate over Christ (1 Cor. 7:15). Further, one is not required to remain in a situation where abuse and physical danger is a viable threat either to that one or whatever children are involved, even if such reprehensible conduct does not allow the victim the right of remarriage (cf. Mat. 5:32; 19:9). Love does not act unbecomingly (1 Cor. 13:5), and those who are lazy, lustful, selfish, demeaning, wrathful, and the like may bear the fruit of disdain and distance from a fed-up or heart-broken spouse.
That said, there is an alarming amount of “conditional love” that defies sympathy. Through the years, I have known those before and after marriage who made the physical weight and appearance of their loved one a condition of their love. For others, it was money or salary. For others still, it was social status and social-climbing. Perhaps, with some brainstorming, we could grow this list of “provisos” much longer. This approach to “love” that says “I will love you if…,” “I will love you when…,” “I will love you unless…,” or “I will love you until” runs contrary to the spirit of Christ. He is the standard of love. Husbands are to love their wives like Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25). Wives are to be taught to demonstrate selfless love to their husbands, too (Ti. 2:4).
Consider Christ’s love. He loved us when we were helpless, sinful enemies (Rom. 5:6-10). He loved us before we loved Him (1 Jn. 4:19). He continues to love us, though we fall short (Rom. 3:23; 8:38-39). That does not mean that He will unconditionally save us, but the Bible’s clear indication is that He will continue to love us no matter what. Certainly, that will revolutionize our thinking as a Christian, but we should allow it to revolutionize our earthly relationships. As John says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 Jn. 4:11).
The Difference Between Love And Lust
Neal Pollard
Some years ago, Elvis Huffard discussed some fundamental differences between love and lust. In chart form, he drew them out for consideration. Here they are:
Love Lust
Flows both ways Flows toward self
Is learned Known naturally
Requires attention Takes little effort
An art, not feelings-based Act of will, you feel like it
Interested in others’ reputation Has no such concern
“Greatest…” (1 Cor. 13:13) Part of sinful man to be put off (Eph. 4:22)
The world and worldly thinking are continually confused between these two entities. One has the potential to destroy lives, condemn souls, and ruin futures. The other has the ability to transform the object of it, to encourage, and to improve. One has the chafing strings of guilt, shame, fear, and corruption attached. The other is a component part of the fruit of the Spirit, against which “there is no law” (Gal. 5:23b). One is synonymous with spiritual dirtiness, darkness, and deceit. The other is akin to spiritual purity, pleasure, and peace. One caused embarrassment and repercussion for Amnon, Tamar, David, Bathsheba, the men of Sodom, Lot’s family, Noah’s neighbors, the Corinthian man and his father’s wife. The other had its highest expression at a hill called Calvary. One is the path of least resistance, but ends at Destruction Drive. The other road is often narrow, uphill, and bumpy, but the payoff is Paradise Place. One teaches self-absorption, but the other is imminently selfless though self is often rewarded as a byproduct rather than the intention of its execution. The one is base and leads one lower and lower. The other is the polar opposite of this.
So, why do the majority choose lust over love? It’s easier. It gratifies immediate, impulsive desires. It’s enticing in prospect. That it is also destructive to homes and families, churches, and societies is often obscured by those short-term attributes. It requires continued effort and conscious determination to “do” love rather than “feel” lust. The pay off is not flashy or dramatic. It is steady and subtle. Its effects are best seen in the rearview mirror after a long journey, but it is a rare and beautiful view. It is up on the mountain top in the direction of heaven rather than low and frightful in the valley of despair and regret. Choose love over lust, in view of the warning: “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Col. 3:5-6). Better still, choose love over lust because of the warming: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:14-19).
“Let Your Love Light Shine”
Neal Pollard
One of the most famous light houses in America is Minot’s Ledge Light House off shore from Scituate, Massachusetts. It is not known for its age or beauty. Though it has a rich, interesting history, it is perhaps best known for its light flashing, in nautical code, “1-4-3.” The flashing lantern was installed in 1894 by the Coast Guard, a simple flashing sequence. But, to so many, it quickly came to mean much more.
The wife of light-keeper Winfield Scott Thompson told her small children that Thompson was telling them how much he loved them every night with this “I love you” flash. Many sailors, long at sea, have taken comfort by Minot’s Ledge’s flashing signal. Several years ago, the Coast Guard decided to replace the old equipment. They informed the residents that the new equipment would not be able to flash “143” and the outcry was such that the Coast Guard eventually gave in to it. The old equipment remained, flashing its message of love to all who came within its reach and influence (info via Boston.com).
Minot’s Ledge Light House is known as the “lover’s light.” What a wonderful reputation! You and I are flashing signals, too. They are perhaps at times neutral, but in the overall they are either loving or unloving. Our actions, our words, and our attitudes convey a message about us. They may repel or attract. It depends on what signals we are sending.
Jesus tells us that His church should be shining a loving light (John 13:34-35). We should be renowned as a loving people. Husbands (Eph. 5:25) and wives (Ti. 2:5) are told to let their love lights shine toward each other. Parents are to love their children in a way that is plainly evident (Ti. 2:5; 1 Tim. 2:15).
What signal are you emitting? If you are Christ’s, it will be loving. Let your love light shine and it will bless all who come within your reach and influence.
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