I know a church in Birmingham where a man… a deacon… decided to spearhead running the preacher off. He was so bold and brash about his purpose he told those who tried to talk to him, “I’ll either be the biggest hero… or goat… this church has ever seen.” He freely made accusations without investigating anything or trying to consider what the truth was.
When I heard this several thoughts came to my mind…
Did he not understand he was in the process of wounding the Bride of Christ?
Did he not get it that Jesus identifies closely with His people?
Did he not know his own statement revealed a calloused spirit regarding the outcome?
Did he not care that God’s glory was more important than getting his way?
Did he not care that love, compassion, restoration, and God’s glory were more important than getting his way?
He had to have been ignorant that a goat represents evil.
His pride and arrogance must have blinded him to all these things.
If there is someone in the church you attend causing problems, remind them of at least these passages of Scripture (Unless God brought YOU to this post for His purposes). You work to be one who reconciles, heals, restores, and brings peace…
Mt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
1 Cor 8:1 “Knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.”
1 Cor 14:33 “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
3 John 9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
Trust me on this. People attend church for very simple reasons: 1) To encounter God, 2) To worship God, 3) To fellowship with other Christians. When people cause division and dissension without any attempt toward love, repentance, restoration, or forgiveness they are wounding the Bride of Christ and will be held accountable. Don’t be one of them.