THESE THINGS WILL COME
Bible Believers’ Bulletin, December 1991, Page 7
The following article by Herb Evans gives a scriptural view of how
to handle some matters that will certainly come up in your life.
by Herb Evans
Brotherly Contempt
“Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families
terrify me, that keep silence, and went out the door?” Job 31:34.
Should denominational type brethren, who scorn Christian activism,
who hold their peace and will not cross the street for any cause that
might bring reproach or loss upon themselves, be feared? Why not ask,
“Should a bowl full of Jello be feared? Should the menopausal
hotflashes and toothless gums of an old worn out denominational or
fellowship machine be feared?” No! Never.
The Wicked’s Accomplices
“When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt…” Prov. 18:3
When the wicked come, they are not alone; lace drawers and
brotherly “contempt” always accompanies. Scorn, contempt, and
criticism toward those who may take a stronger stand, for their Lord,
keeps the attention off jelly-fish who fear reproach and loss.
Contemptuous Lying
“Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things
proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” Psa. 31:18.
The usually more prestigious and influential scorners not only
exhibit contempt toward anyone with a cause but, often, also take up
lying and slander against him whose cause causes them so much
discomfort. They will go out of their way to publish some fault or
weakness, of these brethren, venting their scorn, in order to excuse
themselves from such causes. The apostle Paul had similar experiences
with this type of brethren (2 Cor. 10:10). If they cannot find some
weakness, they will make things up, taking up lying and slander. Some
are even willing to side with the wicked and testify, in court, or in
the media, against them. Shame!
Mid-Life Crisis
Brethren, who once joined with the Holy Spirit, in rebuking the
world of sin, righteousness, and judgment now scoff contemptously at
the anti-abortion, the anti-license, anti-incorporation, anti-porn,
anti-homosexual, and anti-Bible perversion efforts of lesser known
brethren.
Why do brethren go through a change of life? How can they give
birth to worthy causes one day and have “hot flashes” and scorn a cause
the next? Perhaps, the brethren have grown older, weaker, and lost
their courage. Not even a little strength? Or is it because “now”
they have too much to lose. Fighting was all right when all they had
was a storefront church, forty dollar offerings, and a mobile home.
But now, why rock the boat when you stand to lose a multi $$$ “plant,”
great offerings, and luxurious, worldly possessions? Then again, it
might be because they are so entangled, incorporated in, and dependent
upon Babylonian system of government (instead of upon their Lord) that
they see no way out of it. They have forgotten that the journey, which
they have already taken, started with “one step.” Tired? Lazy? “Sour
grapes?” Who knows? Whatever the problems are, be sure that the
brethren have become adept at concealment. Covering oneself, by
heaping scorn and contempt on other brethren, will not fool the Lord
nor will it cover one’s guilt. Moreover, it will not fool us. What?
Are we trying to split the brethren?” Of course not, everyone knows
that you can’t spill a sponge!