Charles Stanley's Handbook for Christian Living: Biblical Answers to Life's Tough Questions

© 2008 by Charles F. Stanley

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Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture quotations used in this publication are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®. © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission. Scripture quotations noted NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations noted Phillips are taken from J. B. Phillips: THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MODERN ENGLISH, Revised Edition. © J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. The verse on page 20 is from The Living Bible. © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

This book was previously published as The Glorious Journey. Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. © 1996.

ISBN: 978-1-4002-8030-8 (repak)

The Library of Congress has catalogued the previous edition as follows:

Stanley, Charles F.

Charles Stanley’s handbook for Christian living / Charles Stanley.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-7852-6702-6 (hc)

1. Christian life—Baptist authors. I. Title.

BV4501.2.S71934 1996

248.4’861—dc20

08 09 10 11 12 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

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CONTENTS

Introduction

CHURCH CONCERNS

Baptism

Church

Church Attendance

Lawsuit

Leadership

Lord’s Day

Lord’s Supper

Restoration

Suicide

Tongues

DAILY LIVING

Compromise

Conscience

Consequences

Employment

Government

Greed

Grief

Guilt

Hard Heart

Restitution

Worldliness

DOCTRINE

Adoption

Assurance

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Canon

Creation

Doctrine

Eternal Security

Faith

Grace

Inspiration of Scripture

Justification

Redemption

Repentance

Resurrection

Spiritual Gifts

Unpardonable Sin

Will of God

END TIMES

Antichrist

Armageddon

Hell

Millennium

Rapture

Tribulation

PERSONAL GROWTH

Armor of God

Character

Childish Things

Contentment

Endurance

Freedom

Goals

Godliness

Humility

Sifting

Stress

Thoughts

Time

Waiting

Wisdom

Worry

RELATIONSHIPS

Accountability

Children

Family

Friends

Loneliness

Love

Parenting

Reconciliation

Seeking Approval

Sex

SERVICE AND OUTREACH

Comfort

Evangelism

Gospel

Missions

New Age Movement

Occult

Service

Testimony

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Disciple

Discipline

Fasting

Intercession

Meditation

Prayer

Quiet Time

Tithe

Index

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

I love to take trips. I also enjoy preparing for the journey by beginning to pack days in advance. In fact, it is not unusual for me to sit down several weeks before I leave and plot the course that I will be taking. I look at maps and mark and highlight my route. I also calculate how many miles I will travel. I do all of this because I’m excited about the trip and can’t wait to get on the road.

The Christian life is an exciting journey that lasts a lifetime. But it also is one that requires preparation. For example, you can’t stand on the mountaintops of joy without the knowledge of Who has led you there. Neither can you descend into the valleys of sorrow and disappointment without the information you need to negotiate a safe passage. David understood this principle, and in Psalm 23 he writes, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me (v. 4 NASB). Though he did not know exactly where he was going, David had a personal knowledge of the One who was leading him. He had a handbook—a map to follow—and it was the Word of God spoken to His heart. At times, he may only have had enough light to see a few steps in front of him. It was enough, though, because he knew and understood God had a course for him to travel. Therefore, he was not afraid.

Five or six inches of interstate ribbon on an earthly map may take an entire day or more to navigate. Along the way, you will encounter detours, inclement weather, mechanical malfunctions, and any number of surprises. Likewise, without the proper insight, you will miss the beauty of pastures, valleys, mountain ranges, and the many flowers you will pass along the way.

The Bible is our infallible compass, guide, and handbook to the place where we can experience God’s unconditional love. It underscores His timeless principles and gives us all the information we need to remain on the right path. Most importantly, it explains how we can receive eternal life through a personal relationship with God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The book you are holding was not written to take the place of personal Bible study. It is a companion and a compilation of the scriptural principles that I have learned and applied in my own life. Although it is not an exhaustive work, I believe it is rich in content and counsel, if only because it reflects the instruction and encouragement that God in His grace has provided when I have failed or been in need. It is divided into eight major categories: Church Concerns, Daily Living, Doctrine, End Times, Personal Growth, Relationships, Service and Outreach, and Spiritual Disciplines. Each major section has numerous topics that you will find interesting, stimulating, inspiring, and refreshing.

I suggest that you read this book according to your current need or interest. If you want a better grasp on the fundamentals of your faith, study and digest the section on doctrine. If you lack a real sense of accomplishment, the material on spiritual disciplines could propel you to spiritual progress.

While I don’t know where you are on your personal spiritual journey, I do know that God has a plan for your life. Right now, you may feel exhausted and emotionally drained. Or you may be charged up and ready to take on a new challenge. You may have experienced recent spiritual growth, or you may have settled on a comfortable plateau because of an uncertain future.

God wants you to know that He is aware of you. And He wants to show you how to move from point A to point B successfully. He also wants you to enjoy the journey and complete the course that He has given you to travel. He has pledged to give you the wisdom and strength you need to finish the good work He began in your life when He saved you (Phil. 1:6). And if you will let Him, He will keep you strong until the end (1 Cor. 1:8–9). My prayer is that this book will aid you in your study of His truth and Word. As you pray, ask Him to open your heart and mind to the things He wants to teach you. Be willing to make the necessary changes and preparations for the adventures that He is sure to bring your way.

CHURCH CONCERNS

BAPTISM

An act of obedience whereby the believer publicly identifies

through immersion with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 28:18–20

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

A CLOSER LOOK

What people believe about baptism is usually determined by their heritage, specifically, their religious heritage. Debates continue while opinions are formed and lines are drawn between different schools of thought that are grounded in denominational teaching rather than scriptural truth.

A look at some questions that arise out of the baptism issue lends insight into the sensitivity of the subject and the problems that may continue to drive a wedge between what a person believes and what Scripture teaches. Each Sunday, as our counselors talk with people who have come to join our church, these questions seem to come up regularly:

Baptism and the Supper are for the saved alone, and only the saved can scripturally observe either one.

—GEORGE W. TRUETT

I believe Jesus died for my sins, and I have accepted Him as Savior. But I have not been baptized. Does that mean that I’m not a Christian?

I was christened as a baby. Doesn’t that mean I’ve been baptized?

I was baptized by immersion when I was twelve, but I didn’t really become a Christian until I was thirty-four. Does my baptism count?

If baptism is not required for salvation, what is the big deal anyway?

Conrad Grebel (1498– 1526), founder of the Anabaptists, performed the first adult baptism in modern history. He said, Scripture describes baptism for us, signifying that through faith and the blood of Christ, our sins are washed away. For the one baptized, his inner self has been changed and he believes, both before and afterward . . . it signifies that one should be and is dead to sin, and walking in newness of life and spirit . . . also, that he shall certainly be saved by the inward baptism if he lives his faith according to this significance.

It’s easy to see that the issue of baptism is shrouded in controversy and differences of opinion that people cling to with tenacity because that’s the way I was brought up. Things that are a part of our heritage are difficult, at best, to give up. Even when presented with what we can see is the truth, we resist. Thus, we are left with questions about baptism that separate denominations and divide churches, and the struggle to discern scriptural truth, as opposed to denominational dogma, is an ongoing effort.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the root word baptize, discover its original meaning, and draw some pointed conclusions. I believe it can resolve many questions that continue to cause so many problems.

The term baptize is not a Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, or Catholic term; it is a Greek term. Baptizo in the Greek language means to dunk, dip, plunge, submerge, or immerse. Originally, it had no religious connotation. Rather, the word baptize was used to describe a ship that had been sunk in battle or a piece of cloth that was dipped in dye. Other times it was used to refer to someone who had drowned or a cup that was dipped into a pitcher to drink from. Its use was general in nature.

The first time the word baptize was used in the context of religion occurred as a result of its incorporation into the Jewish culture. The Jewish faith was somewhat complicated with ceremonies, rituals, festivals, and laws. The term baptize was used to describe the ritual known as ceremonial washing. Now, we would not say, Go baptize your hands before you eat. We would say, Go wash your hands before you eat. Yet the term baptize was used to describe this function of washing.

There is a second way in which the term baptize was used in the Jewish faith. The Jews developed a way in which Gentiles could become Jewish. It involved a number of things, including circumcision, a covenant meal, the agreement to obey Jewish law, and a ritual bath. The term used to describe the bath was bapto, meaning immerse. Persons desiring to become Jewish would baptize themselves. The bath was an outward sign that they were dying to the old life as a Gentile and were being resurrected to the new life as a Jew. As a pledge of allegiance to the new identity, those who desired to adopt the Jewish faith as their own participated by baptizing themselves as a sign of their commitment.

What happened next involved John the Baptist. John got his name because of what people saw him doing. His unique role of baptizing other people was something that had never been done before, so it was natural that people came to watch. He was literally John the Baptizer. John took an ordinary word that meant to dip, plunge, submerge, or immerse, and coined it for the specific task he was performing. Soon it became almost exclusively associated with Christianity, and thus the word baptism appears in the New Testament.

A Greek term that was used in a general sense took on a special meaning because of its close association with what was happening.

That’s how the term baptism took on its religious connotations. Those who saw what was happening associated the word baptize with it, and it wasn’t long before baptism became the word to define the event or process. This understanding is extremely important because it allows us to isolate the form of baptism. In the case of baptism or baptize, the word is the form. Baptize, as we determined earlier, means to dip, plunge, submerge, or immerse.

Many who advocate another form of baptism admit that the original form of baptism was immersion. And there is evidence from Scripture. In Acts 8:38, we read, He commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Matthew 3:16 describes another scene:

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened. Baptism was a public observance whereby a person was immersed for the sake of a religious decision. Again, because of its original meaning, the form of baptism is defined by the word itself.

The next question concerns the meaning or significance of baptism. Why should a person be baptized? From the very beginning, baptism represented the idea of identification and allegiance. Remember how the Gentiles were changing their identity? Once they baptized themselves, they were no longer Gentiles; they were Jews. People who were baptized by John were identifying with John’s teaching about repentance. That is why Jesus allowed Himself to be baptized by John. The identity factor is underscored in Acts where we find that those who were baptized to identify with John were rebaptized in the name of Jesus in order to identify with Him. Therefore, one reason for baptism is that we publicly identify with Jesus’ teachings.

Second, baptism is a picture that carries the weight of cleansing, resurrection, and allegiance. The visual picture of baptism represents (1) cleansing from the sin of the old life, (2) dying to the old life and being born to a new life, and (3) demonstrating commitment or allegiance to a new Master or way of life. This visual picture of an inward decision is best summed up in the sentence I am not ashamed. Baptism is the believer’s declaration to the world that Christ is the standard by which he or she intends to live.

Another reason a believer should be baptized is that Jesus commanded us to be baptized, and following in obedience should be a part of every believer’s life. In the Scripture reference at the beginning of this chapter, known as the Great Commission, Jesus instructed the remaining eleven disciples to Go therefore and make disciples . . . baptizing them. The disciples were instructed to lead people to know Jesus as Savior and then to baptize them as a sign of their allegiance and identification with Him. As obedient children, we must consider baptism as the next step after salvation, one that should be taken without delay.

Many people express one last concern about baptism and its connection to salvation. Baptism is an act of obedience whereby the believer identifies with Christ. Believing in Christ comes first, then baptizing. Think about the thief on the cross. He believed in the moments just prior to his death on the cross. There was no time for baptism, yet Jesus assured him that they would meet in paradise that day. Were baptism required for salvation, the thief would have missed out. It is clear from Jesus’ words that the thief was saved the moment he believed. Paul says, For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Cor. 1:17).

Baptism should be a part of every believer’s experience, but it is not a requirement for salvation. Since obedience is an integral part of becoming a mature follower of Christ, baptism is something that every believer should participate in. It is called believer’s baptism to underscore the connection between believing and baptism.

APPLICATION

Baptism is not merely about being immersed, making a commitment, or joining a particular denomination or church. None of these things conveys the real meaning of baptism. Baptism is about publicly identifying with Christ. It is an act of obedience. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision to align oneself with Christ and what He lived and died for.

If you were sprinkled as a child or christened, you have not been scripturally baptized. If you were immersed as an adult but had no intention of following Christ, you were not scripturally baptized. If you were sprinkled and have followed Christ since that time, you have not been scripturally baptized. If you were immersed and became a Christian later, you have not been scripturally baptized. Does that mean that Christ rejects you or loves you less? Absolutely not. Does it mean that you are not saved if you haven’t been baptized? No. It means that as a believer, you need to be obedient and be scripturally baptized.

GROWTH

If you struggle with the issue of baptism, find a church that teaches the scriptural truth about baptism, and seek the counsel of someone who can help you resolve your struggle.

If you have come to understand that you were not scripturally baptized, I encourage you to take the steps to follow in obedience to Christ’s command.

Finally, if you are struggling with a part of your religious heritage that taught something different from what you now understand to be true concerning baptism, ask God to renew your mind through His Word and through prayer. Hanging on to the past just because it’s a part of your upbringing is not a reason for resisting obedience to God. Ask for willingness to release the part of your heritage that prevents you from being obedient. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth of Scripture. God will answer your prayers and enable you to move forward as you seek to be obedient to Him.

CHURCH

Believers in Jesus Christ who join together in fulfilling their mission to make disciples.

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 16:18

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

COMMENTARY

I can only imagine what Peter must have thought when Jesus made this sweeping statement as the disciples met together and talked that evening. Peter’s quick and confident response to Jesus’ question concerning who the disciples believed He was prompted Jesus to designate Peter, as it were, to be the starting point from which Christ would build His church. Reference to the church is made throughout the New Testament as the bride of Christ and the body of Christ, but I doubt that Peter understood it was his legacy to be known as the one Christ pointed to that day as the charter member of the church.

What did Jesus mean when He said that Peter was the rock upon which He would build His church? There were no architects with their sketches drawn of a new building on a new parcel of land. Jesus was not making reference to a building or a denomination. Peter had just confessed his belief in Jesus as the Son of the living God, and on that basis, Jesus established, or defined, the church. However, as the body of believers grew, the local church was a natural outflow. Thus, from the early days of the church down through today, we have come to associate the church with our particular fellowship of believers. Whatever name we apply to a particular fellowship, there is only one church, and it belongs to no particular denomination.

The church is made up of those who have placed their belief—their faith—in the person of Jesus Christ. Having established who the church is, Jesus commissioned those who believed in Him to make disciples (Matt. 28:19–20). It has always been the work of the church to bring others to belief in Christ and to experience a personal relationship with Him. Jesus came to save the lost. Those who believed in Him became His church and took on the responsibility that comes with belief—the commitment to continue the work Christ began.

The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.

—JOHN WESLEY

A CLOSER LOOK

Jesus’ reference to the church had a very different meaning from what we commonly think of today. Jesus was not only referring to the local church; He was speaking of the body of believers who had placed their faith in Him as the Son of the living God. When you and I speak of the church, we are apt to refer to a particular church or denomination that we are familiar with. To be clear, we must learn to understand the difference between who we are and the name we apply to our identity. We are the church. The place we worship and carry out our work is just that—a place.

I have been pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, for many years. Many people come to Atlanta on vacation or business and visit First Baptist because they have seen me preach on television or have read one of my books. First Baptist is the church they have come to associate with our broadcast ministry. Perhaps during your youth you were a member of a church that you remember fondly, or maybe you are involved in the ministry of a church at this time. However, biblically speaking, the church is not a denomination or a building. The church is you and me. It’s the woman who sings in the choir and the kid who leads a Bible study on Tuesday nights for his fellow high school students. The church is not a place. It is a people, the body of believers who share their faith in the person of Jesus Christ.

What matters in the Church is not religion but the form of Christ, and its taking form amidst a band of men.

—DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

A denomination defines a particular group or belief system that focuses on a certain theological interpretation. Buildings house the body of believers in corporate worship and administration. When we fall into the trap of looking at the church as a place, we easily separate ourselves from its mission because we think of the church as a physical place to worship together instead of understanding the church as our identity with a specific purpose. The church leaves in the cars that exit the parking lot after Sunday worship and carries on its work throughout the week.

We do the works, but God works in us the doing of works.

—AUGUSTINE

For our purposes here, let us agree that the church has one mission, although denominations may have different ways of accomplishing it. The mission of the church is to make disciples—to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. It was true during the days of the disciples of the New Testament, and it is true today; the church—those who believe in Christ—is to make disciples. In his book A Church for the 21st Century, Leith Anderson reaffirms where we get our marching orders and who set us on our path: The church of Jesus Christ was founded by Jesus, is owned by Jesus, and is run by Jesus. It is a theocracy, and we are citizens under orders. We are stewards who have been entrusted with the care of that which belongs to Jesus. He continues, The practical implications are significant. The church does not belong to any denomination, synod, presbytery, association, session, diaconate, pastor or membership. It is his to do with as he sees fit. So how do we accomplish this task?

Just as the passage of time necessarily brings change, the way we do things today may not necessarily be the way we did things last year or the way we will do them five years from now. Some things never change, as in our mission, but in a world that changes faster than textbooks can record the changes, the church must be accountable to its timeless mission. Nothing is more relevant to our day than the message of salvation through Christ Jesus. However, unless we are willing to make the changes that will equip the church to do its work, the relevancy of the gospel will likely never reach those who are lost.

An interesting book has taken a look at what it calls ten of today’s most innovative churches. In the preface, Elmer L. Towns states, Our culture is like a drag racer, rushing toward the future. But will the church be left behind? Too many congregations are hibernating churches, withdrawing from the world, refusing to meet the challenge of society. . . . Many churches are not keeping up, but falling behind.

Our world is far different from that of Jesus and His disciples. It is risky to reach out to unbelievers. It changes a church when newcomers are unlike the old-timers. God’s work is seldom neat, clean, or free of problems. Our world is changing around us. All healthy organisms adapt or die. The same goes for churches, writes Leith Anderson. He continues, "The church of the twenty-first century is dealing with a generation that is discouraged, depressed, tired, lonely, and feeling guilty. They are more interested in learning what to do about their sins and struggles than being told they are sinners and strugglers." That is not to say that people in Jesus’ day did not experience some of these problems, but we live in a world of people overcome with despair. To be effective, we must recognize the mind-set of those we would reach.

The ministry is not called to fit the church’s structure; the structure exists to further effective ministry.

—GEORGE BARNA

The Christian church is the largest institution that exists or has ever existed in the history of the world.

—D. JAMES KENNEDY

One change that appears to be happening is that people no longer cling to denominational lines as tenaciously as before. Invitational counselors in our church routinely counsel people who come to join our fellowship from other denominations. It was considered true heresy in the fifties and sixties to cross denominational lines. Today most people feel it is more important to be in a church that teaches the Bible in a relevant way than to attend the church Mom and Dad always went to (although it may have served the parents’ needs quite well). It is apparent from what I see in those who join our church and other churches that people are looking for Bible teaching that is Christ-centered, practical, and applicable. They are looking for churches that offer opportunities and ministries that meet their needs and the needs of their families.

As we change, we must also stay the same. Contradictory? Not really, when you consider that the church has one mission and many avenues by which to accomplish it. When we consider how to make the work that we are doing effective in today’s world, it is wise to consider what made the church work in the days of Jesus. The key was recognition of the mission and willingness to change. The book of Acts is replete with illustrations of the church changing. The mission stayed the same, and as the church changed, it grew. What the church understood then, we must cling to now. As long as we keep our priorities straight and continue in the work Jesus commissioned us to do, we will seek better ways of reaching the lost for Christ without being threatened by the thought of change.

APPLICATION

As the church, we are going to change if we are to continue to lead people to Christ. With changing demographics, changing monetary needs, changing family structures, and other major considerations, the church must be equipped to minister to those within its reach and capabilities. Not every church has the same needs or abilities. Producing cookie-cutter churches would be a mistake. However, the church must never compromise its core beliefs that include an unyielding faith in Jesus Christ and a set of moral values that are completely in line with His Word.

Dr. George Hunter, former dean of the school of world mission at Asbury Seminary, makes the following observations: Effective churches recognize a number of things concerning reaching unsaved people. Among these are three that stand out in my mind: (1) know that people who aren’t disciples are lost, (2) know that lost people matter to God, and (3) see the church as primarily a mission to lost people rather than a gathered colony of the faithful. That’s a pretty good beginning for a church that wants to be effective in its mission. From there, ideas that equip the church to meet the growing needs of the lost are as numerous as there are minutes in a day. Having the wisdom to discern those that will work in a given situation is the benchmark of a church that effectively meets the challenges.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE

The habit of participating in a local church on a regular basis.

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 10:23–25 NASB

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised us is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

COMMENTARY

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians. The new believers were struggling with how to incorporate their Jewish heritage with their faith in Christ. The writer spent a great deal of time explaining that Jesus Christ prepared the way for uninterrupted fellowship with the Father. He was the new High Priest. His death provided the way for individuals to have personal access to God without a series of complicated steps.

That was difficult for the Jewish Christians to accept. They were accustomed to participating in a variety of ceremonial washings and offerings to be cleansed from their sins. Immediate access to God apart from those things was something new. But the writer of Hebrews insisted that they could go directly to the Father through Christ. Jesus Christ, the Chief Priest, provides unlimited access to the Father.

The author knew the challenge it would be for the recent converts to remain faithful to their newly formed faith. So he exhorted them to hold fast. Then he took it one step farther. He instructed his readers to help one another hold fast. He knew they would have a tendency to drift away from the truth. He anticipated their need for other believers to help them stay on track. So he said, Stimulate one another to love and good deeds. The Greek term translated stimulate literally means to irritate. In essence he was instructing them to spur one another along, watch out for one another, and take responsibility for one another. With that backdrop he instructed them not to stop meeting together. They needed one another. To give up meeting together would spell disaster. In meeting together they found the mutual encouragement to keep going.

Ye shall gather yourselves together frequently, seeking what is fitting for your souls.

—DIDACHE

A CLOSER LOOK

God wants His children to meet with other believers on a regular basis. He wants His people in church! One reason so many believers don’t take this admonition seriously is that they don’t know the reason behind it. How often I have heard this refrain: I can worship God at home. I don’t need to go to church. Many believers are convinced that the primary reason we meet together is to worship. And understandably so. After all, we call it a worship service.

If worship is the primary reason we are commanded to meet, those who claim they can worship at home would have a strong argument. After all, in some instances it is much easier to worship at home. But worship is not the sole reason we are commanded to meet together.

Certainly then, it must be so that we can be taught the Word. Not entirely. We can turn on our radios and televisions and hear good Bible teaching and preaching. On the surface it would seem that anything we can do at church, we can do just as well at home alone.

So why are we commanded to meet? Why go to church? The writer of Hebrews says it is to safeguard against drifting.

We are surrounded by forces that work to blow us off course. Sheer individual commitment alone is not enough to keep us in line. There are times when we feel as if our faith makes no difference. We see no fruit in our lives, and we don’t seem to be making any difference in anyone else’s life, either. During those times, we are tempted to pull up anchor and drift. After all, everybody else is. At least that’s the way it appears.

And then we drag ourselves to church and discover that we are not alone. We hear others share how God came through for them when they were in a tight spot. Someone else shares about the pain experienced when he left the faith. A new believer tells her story and rejoices in God’s grace. And something begins to happen inside us. We are spurred on to faithfulness!

No Christian has ever been called to go it alone in his or her walk of faith.

The accountability and encouragement found in church fellowship anchor us against the tides that work to sweep us away. We can develop a network of relationships with other believers that work to ensure we don’t abandon our faith when the pressure is on to do so. To neglect the regular assembling with other Christians is to miss out on this essential element in the development of our faith.

In Hebrews 10:22, the writer said, Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith. God desires a relationship with His children. By becoming active in a local church, you safeguard yourself against missing out on all that God has for you. Your participation in a local church protects your personal fellowship with God. When you drift away from the family of God, it is only a matter of time until you drift away from fellowship with God. Solomon said it this way: He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed (Prov. 13:20).

GROWTH

If you attend a church where you are not encouraged and spurred to action and continued faithfulness, you may need to consider looking for a new church. After all, if the church you attend does not accomplish the primary thing it was designed to do, what is the point in going? If you are like many believers, you feel guilty when you miss. But easing your conscience is not a good reason to go.

If attending your church or Sunday school class has the same effect on you as showing up at the garden club or the athletic club, you are fooling yourself. For all practical purposes, you have abandoned the spiritual stimulation of assembling yourselves together. Form without function is more dangerous than no form at all. You are lulled into thinking that everything is okay. After all, you’re in church.

There must be a spiritual dynamic. If the teaching and fellowship do not challenge your character and behavior, it may have church in its title, but it is not functioning as a church. We are to be involved in order to be encouraged and held accountable. From God’s perspective, to participate in a church that does not accomplish His purposes is to not have gone to church at all.

Attending a church that does not encourage you to remain faithful and hold you accountable in your walk with God is like joining and attending a health club but not exercising. What good does a health club do you if you attend three times a week to have coffee with a friend? Sure, you are in the building, but nothing is happening that will benefit you physically. No one could fault you on your attendance, but your health is not affected. You are in no better shape than when you joined.

The virtuous soul that is alone . . . is like a lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.

—JOHN OF THE CROSS

But wait, you say, aren’t you being a little hard on my church? We sing together, and our pastor always brings a well-reasoned sermon. Yes, but does being there, with that group of people, encourage you to cling to the hope of Christ that is in you? If not, I recommend you visit another church. Keep in mind, however, that there is no perfect church. Find one that accurately presents Scripture and practically demonstrates God’s love. Remember, too, you have a responsibility to actively use your spiritual gifts for the benefit of other believers.

I also encourage you to carefully consider how God can use you in your present church. You may be so intent on having your needs met that you are overlooking how powerfully God can use you to help others. God may have you where you are, even if far less than ideal, for some significant ministry purpose. Try volunteering in an area in which you are comfortable, and your attitude may become the primary thing that changes.

LAWSUIT

Legal actions between private parties in a law court; litigation.

SCRIPTURE

1 CORINTHIANS 6:1, 5, 7

Dare any one of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? . . . I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? . . . Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

COMMENTARY

The Corinthian church was made up of Greeks and Jews. The diverse backgrounds of the two groups made for interesting interaction within the church. One point of conflict was the handling of disputes. The Greeks loved to argue and debate. Consequently, taking one another to court was a common practice. They loved everything about litigation and court proceedings. It was sport.

The Jews, on the other hand, were taught to avoid public court. In their tradition, they were to settle their differences in the synagogue by the elders. To them, it was a family affair and needed to stay that way.

What would the courts—probably Roman courts—know about the Jewish lifestyle and traditions? And even in cases where a Roman magistrate might have been familiar with Jewish law and custom, he would not necessarily rule with that in mind.

The difference really became a problem when a dispute arose between a Jewish believer and a Greek believer. Where were they to go to settle their dispute? The Greek didn’t want to go to the synagogue, and the Jew didn’t want to go to court.

So Paul’s congregation was made up of litigious Greeks and reticent Jews. They were in the same church body. Paul had to deal with the issue of lawsuits, and one can only imagine what had brought the issue to a head. But in the church of Corinth, most anything was possible.

To sum up what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:1, 5, and 7: How dare you! and I say this to your shame! and You are already defeated! I would say his three-point outline got right to the point. It doesn’t seem to be one of his more positive sermons, does it?

Let’s take a closer look at the whole subject.

A CLOSER LOOK

We are living in an I-have-my-rights society. People live with the motto, I want my rights, and I’ll get my rights, and if I don’t, I’ll take you to court. To make matters worse, nobody wants to assume responsibility for anything, especially personal behavior!

The real tragedy is that the pursuit of justice seems to have been lost (or misplaced). The goal of our court system is no longer reconciliation or healing the breach so the two opposing parties can leave as friends. It is, rather, to see who has the best tactics to outshoot the other side, and it rarely matters how many are wounded.

When Christians come to court and want to know what their rights are, I believe underneath the legal pretext are greed, bitterness, resentment, vengeance, retaliation, pride, and anger. The Christian’s bottom line is the world’s bottom line: I want it all.

It is the nature of litigation in America today that anyone can be sued for anything.

—LARRY BURKETT

Part of the problem is that church leaders have failed. Because we’ve failed to resolve things in the church house, we go to the courthouse. Paul offered a solution that should be going on in every church across the world.

For example, in a small church where there is one aisle, two families may sit on either side of the aisle and never speak for years and years following a bitter lawsuit. Both sing the same songs, listen to the same sermon, and profess to love the same Father, and yet never speak. It happens in large churches, too, but it’s easier to hide in a large one.

You may say to me, You just don’t know how I’ve been hurt. You are absolutely right. But we totally forget what Jesus said about forgiveness.

Whatever happened to what Jesus said to Peter about forgiving seventy times seven? He didn’t specify that there were 490 different offenses. It could be the same thing over and over and over and more than 490 times. Whatever happened to forgiveness?

Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders than from the arguments of its opposers.

—WILLIAM PENN

If God’s people stayed out of the courts and healed their differences in a biblical manner, a big load would come off of our overcrowded court system. And if we gave that money where it rightfully belonged, we would give more to the mission of the church than ever.

Is Paul saying that Christians aren’t to go to court, period? When we look at 1 Corinthians 6:1–8, Paul makes it clear that Christians are not to take other Christians to court.

Sometimes an unbeliever takes a believer to court. You can’t do much about that. But you need to participate with the right kind of spirit, willing to be wronged to keep your testimony.

Paul realized that unbelievers would not be coming to the church to settle a legal problem. First of all, it probably wouldn’t occur to them to do such a thing. Second, they probably wouldn’t be interested in a decision based on the Word of God.

For believers, however, it is different. The basis of his argument that godly counselors are to be consulted is that someday we will rule and reign with Jesus. In light of this future assignment, Paul was alluding to the fact that the things of this world aren’t really too tough for Christians to handle (v. 2).

Verse 4 is somewhat confusing, but I believe it is saying one of two things. Paul is asking why the believers were going to outside judges who were not saved, or another possible interpretation is, Even the least capable people in the church should be able to decide these things for you, as the The Living Bible puts it. Either interpretation of this verse encourages Christians to seek arbitration within the church, not outside of it.

Jesus had something to say about this as well: Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matt. 5:23–24).

Before you go to court, remember the cross. Jesus was willing to be wronged as an example to us. He didn’t fight back.

You may say, Yes, that’s okay for Him, but He’s God. Well, He lives in you. Jesus gave further instructions on how to make peace with your brother:

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

—ECCLESIASTES 8:11

If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

—1 JOHN 4:20

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Matt. 18:15–17)

A process is described here. First, go alone and talk to the offender. If the person doesn’t listen, take one or two other believers along. And if that doesn’t work, take the issue to the church. It could be the whole body, or it could mean a representation of the local assembly.

This is where problem resolution should start and stop!

If you and I refuse to go to court even when we’re wronged by another believer, God will assume responsibility for our defense, and He will provide for us. I understand that is terribly hard to put in practice. But it is biblical.

When you take another believer to court, you are taking things into your own hands. But when you don’t take another believer to court, God assumes responsibility for putting pressure on the person who is wrong. It is amazing how God can get people’s attention.

There are Christian organizations consisting of lawyers committed to reconciling people through the church. When a situation arises, they assemble a pastor, a Christian attorney, and someone who is a professional in the area in which there is a problem (for instance, real estate or finances). These people make the decision for the Christians who are having difficulty with an issue between them.

That is the spirit of the New Testament. I believe that we, the church, have been reluctant to get involved in the messy affairs of church members, and I feel we have been wrong. We have forced Christians to go outside the church. I believe Paul is teaching against that.

God’s way is to confess, repent, and reconcile. Lose face if you have to. When a believer shouts with glee, I won! after having just defeated a fellow believer who is now hurt and wounded, that is utter hypocrisy.

When we win a court battle with a believer who may have been wrong and leave him in the muck of resentment and guilt and anger, what makes us think we’ve won anything in the eyes of God? Satan has won.

You have two alternatives when you’ve been wronged by a believer:

1. Let the church settle it.

2. Be willing to be wronged and defrauded and not go to court.

Christ said: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). That verse strongly implies peaceable resolution of problems.

Paul is telling us not to settle our differences outside the church before a judge who has no clue how believers live. He encourages us to go to godly men or women in the church to help us settle our problems.

And he is going so far as to urge us that in the end, it is better to be wrong than go after rights.

You know how the world says, Don’t get mad; get even?

If God treated us that way, where would we be?

He didn’t get mad; He didn’t get even. But He did satisfy His demands for justice.

The cross says it all.

APPLICATION

Two men went into business together. One supplied the brains, and the other supplied the money. Over the course of time, they made a great deal of money.

One morning the man who had supplied the know-how went to the office. The doors were locked.

He made contact with the other partner, who had supplied the capital, and explained, I’m not sure what the problem is, but I can’t get into my office.

The business partner replied, "Oh, I know you can’t. You’re out.

You didn’t put any money into this outfit, so you’re out."

And the man was ousted.

Because their original agreement had been on a rather flimsy, meager document, there was a lot of verbal wrangling. Greed totally consumed the man who had put up the cash. The verbal battle was fierce.

The ousted business associate went to a counselor and asked, Do you think I could win in court?

After hearing all the story, the counselor agreed that he could win in court. But then he added, Do you want to know what God’s best is, or would you rather win in court? I don’t believe God wants you to take your brother to court and sue him, even though you are right from a business standpoint.

The guy was livid. He wanted to lash out, I wish I had never met you! If I don’t follow this through, I’ll lose everything. But he kept his emotions in check and decided to put the matter into God’s hands.

Two years had passed when he received a telephone call from someone he did not know. "Sir, I’m interested in buying your former business.

Do I understand that you were a partner and you were ousted?"

The Christian stammered and replied, Why, yes, sir, that is correct.

The man on the phone asked again, Do I understand that you no longer have a part?

Yes.

The caller explained his surprise offer: Sir, I want to buy the business, but I am going to purchase it only if the present owner agrees to give you a percentage—which will amount to several million dollars.

I am sure the delighted Christian could only shake his head in amazement at God’s goodness and gulp a thank you.

Well, the gentleman made the offer to the owner. In essence he said, I want to buy your business. But I want you to know that I am able to tie it up so that you can’t sell it to anyone else. You need to treat your brother right, whom you have wronged, and give him a percentage of the deal.

And they lived happily ever after. Well, at least two of the three did.

LEADERSHIP

The ability to help others move toward an agreed-upon vision.

SCRIPTURE

MATTHEW 4:19–20

He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

COMMENTARY

Three general categories describe the leadership style of Christ. First, He was a leader with a clear mission. Jesus’ primary motivation and purpose were glorification of His heavenly Father. Second, Jesus was a leader with consistent character. He lived what He taught and believed. Third, He was a leader with a capable team. He knew with committed, gifted individuals around Him, He would reach the world.

A clear mission serves as a compass to point you in the right direction. A mission is what you are to do as you fulfill God’s purpose for your life. A mission focuses you on what’s important. It’s not uncommon for the driving force of families or ministries to be crises or instant gratification rather than their mission. Your mission keeps you on course.

A mission serves as a filter for new ideas. You reject an idea that does not line up with your purpose. It may very well fit in another arena, but for your purpose it is unnecessary.

A mission also serves as an evaluation tool. Ministries, families, or individuals have a tendency to drift from the original purpose. A mission statement properly placed within a system can sound the alarm once a ministry, family, or individual begins to change in an unhealthy manner. Conversely, the mission statement should stimulate change when an organization or individual becomes stagnant.

A mission should reflect priorities. When you look over your life, will you be able to say, I poured my life into what really mattered? Through the dynamic of a clear mission, you will use the talents God has given you to their maximum potential. Not only will you spend your life, but you will invest your life in what really matters.

A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of external situation.

—A. W. TOZER

A clear mission statement serves as a powerful tool to keep you focused on God’s best. An unclear mission is just as powerful in allowing you to settle for good things but miss out on what really matters. Jesus had an uncanny ability of staying focused. He was mission driven and used interruptions as opportunities to apply His purpose.

Jesus understood why He was here. He knew where He was going and how He was to arrive at His destination. Jesus stated His purpose at twelve years of age. He explained to His parents, Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? (Luke 2:49). The business of His Father most concerned Jesus. In a phrase, the mission of Jesus was to glorify God.

Jesus described this mission in another fashion when He explained to His disciples, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work (John 4:34). Jesus’ whole being was bent toward doing the will of God. With all of His heart He wanted to please His heavenly Father. That is why, when the temptation to quit was overwhelming and when Christ was at the point of physical exhaustion in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed to His heavenly Father, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will (Matt. 26:39).

Out of Jesus’ glorification of God flowed many other purposes, but those purposes were determined by His primary mission of glorifying the One who sent Him: His heavenly Father. This brings us to the next logical questions: What was His Father’s business, and how did Christ carry out His Father’s will?

Jesus made clear His mission when He prayed, I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do (John 17:4). Knowing He was about to die, Jesus evaluated His life and, with humility and quiet confidence, stated He had accomplished His purpose in life: the glorification of His heavenly Father.

Joseph H. Thayer defines glorification this way: To make renowned, render illustrious, i.e. to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged. Jesus revealed God in His life, and He was about to enter into the last stage of His glorification mission—the revelation of Christ in His death and resurrection. Jesus accomplished His life mission by glorifying His Father; however, His death and resurrection missions were accomplished by the Father glorifying His Son!

We need to decide if we will be mere spectators in the struggle for humanity’s mind and will, or whether we will exercise leadership in shaping the course and outcome of today’s battle of conflicting and competing values.

—CARL F. H. HENRY

True leaders are not afraid to surround themselves with people of ability and then give them opportunities for greatness.

—Warren W. Wiersbe

Jesus’ personal rejection and suffering did not distract Him. Instead they drove Him to remain focused on His purpose. In the darkest hours He more fully revealed the nature of His heavenly Father. He could have easily let the people make Him king, but He retreated to be with His heavenly Father to refocus on His mission (John 6:15).

Though His life was a portrait of God, He did not let the love of this life delay the culmination of His Father’s plan. Jesus could have confined Himself to the synagogue to a lifetime of insightfully and accurately expounding Scripture, but He knew God’s glorification was not limited to a building. He could have spent a lifetime in the humanitarian work of feeding and healing the people, but He knew God’s revelation was not limited to the physical needs of people.

Jesus could have spent all His time with unbelievers, but He chose to use some of His time to build a team of believers. The point is that Christ experienced all of life and ultimately death. As He experienced life and death, He revealed His heavenly Father, so with our finite minds we can develop our understanding of who God is and what He has done for us. The leadership style of Jesus has at its heart an uncompromisingly clear mission. Not only did He have a clear mission, but He also lived what He taught with consistent character.

Mission is what we do; character is how and why we do it. Mission is action and getting things done; character is the motivation behind the work. Character validates our mission. Character gives credibility to our purpose. Without character, our mission becomes a catchy cliché that fails to affect our lives and the lives of others.

Character proves to others the seriousness of commitment. Character expresses interest in the well-being of another’s relationships as well as in getting the job done.

Character comes from within. Honesty, hard work, sensitivity, and courage flow from the life of Christ within the believer. The fruit of the Spirit is just that: the fruition of God’s Holy Spirit working in the life of