such a great odor from such a small creature

Something foul fills the hallways and offices of the church this morning. I sit at my desk with the windows cracked and quickly shut them as something putrid outside the church seeks to invade. Someone must have hit a skunk this morning out on the road or at least scared him pretty badly. It's always struck me as amazing how such a small, seemingly cute, creature could produce such a foul and massive odor. I mean its like one of Aiden's diapers...how could something so little and sweet make something so big and nauseating?!

It isn't a unique phenomenon, however. Like dynamite, often some of the most devastating things come from that which is small and seemingly insignificant. Conflict and disunity in the church frequently works in the same way. Rarely do schism and division pop up from major events or decisions; frankly, we just don't have enough major events to cause a stir. But, instead often the things that plague us are like small germs; we don't really recognize them or pay much attention until it is too late. Sometimes it can be the tone in someone's voice when they speak to you, it could be a look, it could be the absence of acknowledgement all together. Sometimes its a small decision by the leaders of the church or a small shift in routine; it can be anything that rubs us the wrong way or upsets us. Sometimes its completely legitimate the way we feel; someone may have indeed sinned against you or was negligent in their duties. Whatever the cause or circumstance, sadly the church is no stranger to foul odors creeping their way through its hallways.

Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 18 that when discord arises its must be dealt with immediately. Now Jesus is speaking specifically about sin, and the context of Matthew 18 indicates that the principle concern is the holiness and the purity of the fellowship of the body. However, the brotherly concern which lies behind Jesus' instruction apply in all circumstances. Essentially, our Lord tells us that any discord, disagreement, or animosity that arises in the fellowship is unfitting and out of character for the church. The church is to be a place of unity and cooperation in the power and giftings of the Holy Spirit. We are called to be a city on a hill, a lighthouse in the dark and foggy world, a holy people. Issues will come up. Things will happen that bother us. People will hurt us. These we cannot control.

But what we can control is how we deal with them when they arise. Will we just sit there and allow the foul odor to fill the hallways or will we shut the doors and windows and do something about the source of the odor? "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone." (Matt. 18:15) Go, lovingly, privately, but biblically and address the circumstance. There ought to be a spirit of openness and humility at Lake Gaston Baptist. You should feel free to always biblically voice your biblical concerns with anyone as such is needed. Note the emphasis there though on "Bible." You are not free to just complain, or to get upset because things are happening the way you want or feel they should. Keep in mind the discord or the problems that Jesus is referring to in Matthew 18 are those things that fail to align with God's Word.

Do not allow what is unfitting in Christ's church to permeate or persist. God's people are a holy priesthood, living stones being built together. It is our unity in His body which ought to define our interactions with one another and with a non-believing world.