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Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

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Remember the real enemy – it may not be who you think

Posted on June 8, 2012 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments

EnemyThere is no perfect church. Every church is populated with people who struggle with pride and selfishness just like you and I do. Every church has leaders who struggle with pride and selfishness. As a result, conflict is inevitable. It’s going to happen. In James 4:1-3 we see that such conflict was an issue in the First Century church.

When conflict happens, we should keep in mind who the real enemy is. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that our real enemy is the devil who prowls around looking for those he can devour. Unfortunately we, as church members, sometimes aid him in his devouring. We, knowingly or unknowingly, participate in behavior that creates conflict.

It is important to keep in mind that the church member or church leader who creates the conflict is not the enemy. The real enemy is far more nefarious (this word just sounds creepy) and subtle. The real enemy wants you to think that your brother or sister in Christ is the enemy so that he can continue his work of destruction undetected.

If we keep in mind the real enemy, it should make it easier to forgive the one with whom we’ve had the conflict and work toward reconciliation. Even if the conflict cannot be reconciled, forgiveness takes the conflict off your plate and frees you up to move forward without being bogged down.

Keep the ultimate source of the conflict in mind, deal with your part of it before the Cross, forgive and move forward. The concept is easy to understand, but is so difficult to do.

Filed Under: Bible Reflection Tagged With: Conflict, forgiveness, James, Leader, Peter

You shall know them by their . . . excess?

Posted on August 24, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments

I am reminded of something I read about John Stott a while ago. He said that he wanted to live a lifestyle that would not cause the richest person in his congregation to feel sorry for him. Nor did he want the poorest person in his congregation to be put off by ostentation. He wanted to have a home where everyone would feel welcomed and comfortable. He wanted his home and lifestyle to be a platform for ministry.

The Apostle Paul was a good example to us in living in such a way as to make clear that his reason for ministry was only to bring the Gospel to those who desperately needed it. In 1 Corinthians 9:12, Paul tells his readers that while he had the right to expect the Corinthians to support him in his ministry, he worked to support himself lest his motive for ministry be questioned.

I have no idea what motivates the church leaders mentioned in the article. That is the problem, we don’t know. Their life style gives reason for some to question their motives, or assume that they are in ministry only for the money.

Of course, the church leaders who get it right and who work outside the church or who make do on small salaries for the privilege of sharing the Gospel do not make splashy headlines. For every church leader who participates in the abuse mentioned in the article, there are thousands or perhaps millions of men and women who serve their Lord in the church with no expectation of financial reward.

So, if you are one who is outside the church, I ask forgiveness for these abuses. I also ask you to look beyond what a few knuckleheads have done and judge the Church by her body of work through the ages. The abuse of a few does not nullify the fruitful sacrifice of the many.

Filed Under: Bible Reflection, Christianity and Culture, Church Leadership Tagged With: Church, Leader, leadership

Moses as Leader – Do the right thing even when it’s not appreciated

Posted on May 22, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

Moses as Leader – The Story

MosesMoses is up on the mountain receiving the law from God. Meanwhile, down in the valley, the people of Israel have built and are

worshiping a golden idol. Before they have even received the law, the people have broken the first two commandments.

In response to this, Exodus 32:7-10 records that God proposed a plan to wipe out the nation of Israel and start over with Moses as the patriarch of a new nation. Warren Wiersbe, in his book, Becoming a Servant of God, points out the significance of this offer. From a

human perspective, it doesn’t get any better than becoming the father of a whole nation. By anyone’s standard, this would be a significant honor and achievement.

But look at how Moses responds. Instead of taking God up on the offer, he begins pleading for the nation of Israel. He intercedes on their behalf, even while the nation is still in party mode and not ready to acknowledge their error.

Moses as Leader – The Principle

As the title of this post indicates, the principle is that leaders do the best thing for their people even when the people do not know or appreciate what is being done.

From a human perspective, what did Moses get from this transaction? He got 40 more years of whining and aggravation from the people, he got his leadership challenged, he got overworked and died in the wilderness without a permanent home.

From an eternal perspective,  Moses deepened his relationship with God, secured a significant place in God’s program and died knowing that he had done the right thing for the people that God called him to lead and to serve.

At the foundation of Moses’ ability to serve his people was his relationship with God. It was this relationship that provided the understanding that God is the source of the responsibility and the privilege of leading the people. When things got tough, Moses took his cues from his Heavenly Father.

Moses as Leader – The Application

In our society, examples abound of leaders who abuse the privilege of their position. Decisions are made which provide wealth and security of the leader and those in his social circle. We can find examples in commercial enterprises and politics.

Our society is crying out for leaders who will lead for the benefit of the people below them on the organization chart. Thankfully, there are some leaders who do this, but not enough.

We see CEO’s making millions of dollars while laying off significant numbers of people. We see politicians leveraging  future generations by spending money that they don’t have. Read the news headlines on any giving morning and you will find at least one example of the abuse of power.

Sadly, the visible church is not exempt from this behavior. We have seen decisions made in church organizations that are contrary to clear Scriptural teaching, all because of pressure from the outside or an attempt to swell the numbers in the auditorium.

To church leaders I offer this encouragement. If you are first-and-foremost tuned into God through prayer and Scripture reading, you will lead well and for the benefit of those you lead. Your people need you to have this relationship because like the people of Israel, the greatest need is to hear from God. We have the advantage of the written word, so read the word, live the word and preach the word.

As to those days when you are frustrated by the people you lead I offer this. God sees and he will be your refuge and strength.

Stand firm in that knowledge.

Filed Under: Bible Reflection, Christianity and Culture, Leadership Tagged With: God, Israel, Israelites, Leader, leadership, Moses, Old Testament, servant

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