When Christians Don't Act Christlike

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When Christians Don’t Act Like Christ

 

Would it surprise you to learn that Christians sometimes have issues between one another? This should not come as a surprise to anyone, since we are all frail and imperfect humans. There is an old saying that where there is light, there will be bugs. Where there are dogs, there will be fleas. Where there are humans, there will be misunderstandings and differences of opinion. It has been this way since the earliest days of humanity. Abraham and Lot had a disagreement. 

Genesis 13: 1 - 7

 

Paul and Barnabas had a difference of opinion with one another about who to take along with them on their journey. 

Acts 15: 36 - 40

 

Two apostles, Paul and Peter, found themselves in a disagreement because Peter was not acting Christ-like. In fact, Peter had become a hypocrite. 

Galatians 2: 11 - 14

 

We can also read in Paul’s letter to the Philippians where two sisters in Christ were not seeing eye to eye.

Philippians 4: 1 - 3

 

At the beginning of his letter to the Philippians, Paul expressed the importance of being united.

Philippians 1: 27

Philippians 2: 2

 

On the outset, Paul tried to be loving to all of the brethren in Philippi

Philippians 4: 1

 

It has been recorded that before he commanded he commended. We should learn from this, and use tact and reason whenever we address problems in the congregation. Letting brethren know that you love them goes a long way in reconciling problems.

 

However, we must also confront and handle the issue.

Philippians 4: 2

 

It is interesting that Syntyche means “pleasant” and Euodia means “sweet fragrance”. Unfortunately, these two ladies were not living up to their names at the time Paul wrote this letter.

 

The issue had to be handled. Just like issues today must be handled. Simply sweeping problems under the rug and either hoping they go away or hoping no one notices them at all is never the answer. Whenever Christians have arguments and strife between themselves, there should be strong encouragement to reconcile.

 

While attempting to solve the problem, we can’t allow our personal connections to sway us from handling things the right way. We can’t be worried if we are going to make one or the other mad at us. The issue must be worked out.  The issue in Philippi had become a public issue. We know this because Paul had heard about it in his travels, and he was far from Philippi. In fact, the issue between them is still known today, 2000 years later.  Paul, even at the risk of embarrassing the ones involved, called them out for their problems. 

 

Even though Paul called them out publicly for their problems, he tried to stay neutral in regards to these sisters. 

 

For reconciliation to happen, Christians are reminded how we should handle such situations. 

Matthew 18: 15 - 17

Matthew 5: 23 - 24

 

Notice how Abraham handled his disagreement with Lot.

Genesis 13: 8 - 12

 

Paul and Barnabas didn’t make a big deal out of their disagreement, either.

Acts 15: 39 - 40

 

Paul simply decided to take Silas with him and Barnabas decided to take Mark with him, and they went on their own separate paths. They did not fight, argue, and bicker. They did not speak evil or bad things about one another on their journey to preach the gospel. They simply went their separate ways and continued serving God as Christians should. 

 

Paul didn’t separate from Peter and leave the Church because Peter was a hypocrite. Paul confronted Peter with the problem and corrected him.

Galatians 2: 14

 

Being unwilling to follow the Scriptural manner of reconciling differences between brethren hurts not only both parties, but it also does harm to the entire congregation. 

I Corinthians 1: 13

 

The strife between Christians can lead some people to fall away from Christ.
John 17: 21

 

We must never forget the fact that God wants His children to be at peace with one another. 

Mark 9: 50

Psalm 133: 1

 

Syntyche and Euodia were reminded that they were both in the Lord. That relationship should have supplied ample motivation to resolve their issue.

 

Sometimes Christians will have disagreements and differences of opinion. At no point should the disagreement or differences cause brethren to stop acting Christlike. 

 

Remember how Abraham and Lot settled their differences? Abraham gave Lot the choice of which land to take. Abraham turned the other cheek. 

 

Remember how Paul and Barnabas settled their disagreement? They each chose who they wanted to take with them and had a peaceful separation, going separate ways to cover more ground in delivering the Gospel to the world. Paul even reconciled with Mark.

II Timothy 4: 11

 

Remember how Paul and Peter settled their disagreement? They didn’t fight it out publicly. They didn’t call each other names or try to get other people to turn against the other one. Paul spoke to Peter privately about it. This never affected how they thought of or treated one another.

II Peter 3: 15 - 16

 

We will have disagreements with one another. We are imperfect humans. God knows this, which is why we are given examples of how to handle these disagreements. Don’t let a disagreement with another Christian be the thing that Satan drags you to hell with. Work things out. Forgive and forget. Be faithful unto death. Part of that is getting along with your brethren.