A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 1 NO. 35                                         OCTOBER 17, 2004

“DENYING SELF”

PART III
BY STEVE NIEMEIER

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24).  Jesus told His disciples that if anyone wnated to follow Him they would have to deny themselves and take up their cross.  Last week we discussed the issue of denying self as it pertains to marriage, divorce and remarriage.  This week we want to address the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17; “Moreover if your borther 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 the mouth of two or three witnesses may establish every word.  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 like a heathen and a tax collector.

Many times it seems that we refuse to deny ourselves when we have aught against a brother or a brother has aught against us.  When Jesus is teaching about how we are to deal with one who has sinned against us His words of instruction are, that we should go visit this one ALONE to discuss the situation.  Why is it that many feel it is necessary to get an army behind them for support before addressing the transgression with their brother or sister?  Unfortunately it seems that those of us that are gospel preachers are as guilty (if not more guilty) than others as it pertains to this.

Preachers preach this passage and dwell on the fact of getting things straight between brothers and sisters so that all can work peaceably together.  However, how many times have you “read” an ongoing attack from one brother to another and it is not dealing with scripture as much as “personal” issues?  One rule of management that many are taught is “ATTACK THE PROBLEM, NOT THE PERSON.”  Of course there are times that the problem is a person and thus we have the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17 so that we know how to handle this person.  However, many times the problem does pertain to scripture and instead of attacking the misuse of scripture we start attacking the person!  Even if it is a matter of scripture that is being misrepresented and even if it is an article in a brotherhood periodical does the public nature of this void the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17?

Isn't it time that we stopped “hiding” behind excuses of self-imposed justification of why we do not address a borther or sister according to Matthew 18:15-17 and start adhering to the instructions given in that passage?  As we look around the congregation that we are identified with what do we see?  Do we see brothers and sisters (including ourselves) that are denying themselves and following after these words of instruction from Jesus?  As we look and listen to the preacher in the pulpit do we see an individual that is following this instruction also?  How many preachers and congregations “seperate” ways and NEVER get things “STRAIGHT” between them.  Brethren, do we see heaven, a place of peace and comfort, inhabited with folks who couldn't get along here on earth because they would not deny themselves and follow the teachings of Jesus as it pertains to dealing with our brothers or sisters in Christ who we have a fault with or who sinned against us?  We are dealing with our souls here and it seem that we have lost our focus on “taking up our cross and following after Jesus” and with out “denying ourselves” we can not concentrate and meditate on whose steps we are to follow!