The Biggest Problem with the Church
The biggest problem with the church is that we fight each other constantly.
We are supposed to be on the same side. But yet it seems we can't find a way to come together to fight a common enemy who steals the truth from people's lives every day. Sadly, this was true of Israel in the time of the Judges. Just after Jephthah finished defeating the Ammonites, the Ephraimites are upset they weren't included in the military victory.
Judges 12:1–3 (ESV) The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” 2 And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. 3 And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?”
Notice a few things about Ephraim here. First, they appear angry they weren't called into battle. But when Jephthah answers them he says he did call and they didn't come to help. It seems they wanted to fight but only after the war was well in hand. Or perhaps they were only mad AFTER the victory once they saw Jephthah's status as a war hero. For whatever reason, this leads the nation into a civil war between Ephraim and the men of Gilead leading to much bloodshed.
This behavior is nothing new for Ephraim. They did the same thing while Gideon was judge and pursued the Midianites. Here's the exchange:
Judges 8:1–2 (ESV) Then the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they accused him fiercely. 2 And he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?
So it has gone for over 500 years now in the Church. The Reformation brought two kinds of Christian Church and the Protestant movement has yielded thousands of factions. (I say this sadly as a Protestant.) But our main problem globally and personally is that we cannot celebrate the success of others because of our own need for validation in our pursuits. James warns us:
James 3:13–16 (ESV) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
We are supposed to be on the same side. But yet it seems we can't find a way to come together to fight a common enemy who steals the truth from people's lives every day. Sadly, this was true of Israel in the time of the Judges. Just after Jephthah finished defeating the Ammonites, the Ephraimites are upset they weren't included in the military victory.
Judges 12:1–3 (ESV) The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” 2 And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. 3 And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?”
Notice a few things about Ephraim here. First, they appear angry they weren't called into battle. But when Jephthah answers them he says he did call and they didn't come to help. It seems they wanted to fight but only after the war was well in hand. Or perhaps they were only mad AFTER the victory once they saw Jephthah's status as a war hero. For whatever reason, this leads the nation into a civil war between Ephraim and the men of Gilead leading to much bloodshed.
This behavior is nothing new for Ephraim. They did the same thing while Gideon was judge and pursued the Midianites. Here's the exchange:
Judges 8:1–2 (ESV) Then the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they accused him fiercely. 2 And he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the grape harvest of Abiezer?
There is something about Ephraim that makes them absolutely peeved when another tribe is successful against their enemies. It's called jealousy and bitter rivalry and it is completely uncalled for in God's people.
James 3:13–16 (ESV) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Consider also that Paul lists "rivalry", "dissensions" and "division" alongside the works of the flesh such as sexual immorality and sorcery!
Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV) Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Instead of being happy for other believers we silently mourn their success. What a shame! We should love when other believers, churches or whole denominations do well. They are not our enemy, they are our family.
Israel is losing herself in many ways through the narrative of Judges. Sadly, envy and jealousy is another form of spiritual decline evidenced in a people who have forgotten their God-given destiny.
As the Church, we must learn from this sad period of Israel's history. We too often repeat it. The Church is called to do the Master's work and finish our personal assignments. If someone other than you gets more done, rejoice that the Gospel is moving forward through someone from your team. The mission is more important than your personal ambition.
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