Spiritual Leprosy
Note: To properly understand the position of the writer please read the author's message "To The Reader".
[21.1]
The Problem
Since the close of the New Testament text Christians have found unity among the brethren to be more of a dream than a reality. The overwhelming weight of New Testament evidence suggests that God's desire is for the unity of all believers (1 Corinthians 1:10). Why then, after two thousand years of church experience have we so miserably failed. Why has the church been so unresponsive to God's word? Alas, all attempts to rectify our dismal record have failed, though not for lack of fleshly effort. When faced with the task of unity, our leaders have responded with vain, man made solutions. They've given us legislated separatism in the form of denominational Christianity, a structure not found in God’s word or founded on Christ and the apostles, but rather on the intellectual efforts of men. This has resulted in a useless attempt at man made unity which can only produce a counterfeit church. Through the use of contracts, agreements, councils and creeds, they have sought to manufacture some artificial semblance of togetherness. They think to bind us together with signed documents and legal rhetoric. Some unity! They have gathered together with those who right or wrong, think as they do. They have built schools of religious propaganda designed to replicate their private interpretations of God's revelation, a notion that in itself has no scriptural foundation.
2 Peter 1:20-21
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
[21.2]
The Result
The result of these vain attempts has been the opposite of their goal. Their goal was to bring us into oneness, but instead it has produced only division. The oneness they foolishly sought was oneness with them, not oneness with God. No sooner had the last of the twelve died than arrogant men emerged to assume leadership, define God's word and add to it whatever they felt was necessary to guarantee their right to impose their will, in the name of God, on others. They added their own commandments though these were unsupported by God's word. (Matthew 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
[21.3]
What We Believe
A man is born American, British, African or Asian. He may have brown eyes or blue, but whatever he was at birth, whatever color his eyes, they will remain so all the days of his life. There is little or nothing he can do about his place of birth, ethnic origin or eye color. Many of us have come to believe that it is the same with our beliefs. If we were born into a Catholic home, we are Catholic. If we enter this life as a Baptist, then we are Baptist for life. We accept our spiritual heritage as though it were unchangeable.
[21.4]
We are not taught to study the word of God to show ourselves correct in our deductions.
II Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Instead we are indoctrinated with Catholic or Baptist propaganda and told this is what good Catholics or Baptists believe. When introduced to doctrine this way, we tend to blindly accept it. We reason that I'm a Baptist, therefore, I must accept all that Baptists believe. Baptists have all the truth. The idea that we should be like the Bereans of Acts 17 and check our teaching against the scriptures never occurs to us. If it did, we were soon discouraged by our leadership and made to feel like heretics. How dare they or anybody presume to tell us what we must believe? Belief must come through each individual's search for truth. It must be subject to revision and correction. When truth calls for it, we must be willing to surrender previously held beliefs.
[21.5]
Excess Baggage
Many may escape the bonds of denominationalism but few escape its baggage. Even if we left an independent, non-denominational church to enter the church of Acts, the early church, we would find ourselves debating with Peter or Paul over those doctrines we hold most dear, those handed down from previous respected and trusted teachers.
[21.6]
Head to Head and Heart to Heart
When two Christians with different backgrounds meet for the first time, it's like watching an animal mating ritual. Can you imagine two porcupines trying to get close to each other? Quite a problem. I can picture them circling each other looking for some way to get past those quills. Christians meeting for the first time are much the same way. They cautiously circle one another, afraid to get close for fear of being hurt. They're hoping to find some way to get all the points going in the same direction - all the spiritual points. Trying to avoid running into one another's doctrines can be difficult. The only way porcupines can avoid being injured is to approach each other directly from the front, head to head. Christians must proceed in the same way. Like the porcupine, they first must have a sincere desire to get close, a desire strong enough to make the risk worthwhile. We'll never come close enough to join our hearts together if we don't develop a relationship strong enough to bring our heads together. If we don't let the mind of Christ dominate our lives in such a way as to allow us to humble ourselves before him and before each other, we'll never be able to fill the prayer request he made in John 17:21.
John 17:21
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
[21.7]
How can we be one unless we come into one accord; one mind?
Philippians 2:1-8
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
[21.8]
Spiritual Leprosy
So often as Christians we come in contact with others who call upon the name of the Lord, others who serve him in much the same way that we do. When we meet, there is a joy and sense of unity as though we had discovered a new relative. Later as we begin to explore each other's lives and experiences we discover doctrinal differences. Does the thought ever occur to us that our doctrines might need changing? No! Immediately, a barrier comes down and the walls go up as we seek to escape them as though they had contacted leprosy, spiritual leprosy. We immediately assume it's their doctrines that need changing. They now consider us lepers and we them. We put on our best plastic smile, do our best to conceal our emotions, which have just grown cold, and tell each other some lie, like "I hope we can meet again sometime," and escape the situation wiping the sweat from our brow as though being rescued from a life threatening situation.
[21.9]
Anyone can come down with spiritual leprosy, all you need is a doctrine, true or false, which differs from that commonly held by whatever company you happen to find yourself in. If you happen to possess the truth, however, it does make one wonder who has the disease, the one with the truth or those who run from it. Those who are unwilling to put it on the table and compare it to the beliefs of others must be willing to see it crumble under the weight of greater revelation. As old and as damaging as spiritual leprosy is, pride is worse. It's pride that convinces us we have it all. It's pride that won't allow us the patience to listen to another brother. It's pride that judges him and his beliefs before we've given him a fair hearing, and it's pride that stops our fellowship and growth because it begs us not to listen.
[21.10]
"Is Doctrine a Dirty Word?"
The reason why most today consider doctrine a dirty word is because it is generally blamed for causing division among the brethren. Does doctrine cause division or just expose the division that's already there? Doesn't division come as a result of our own pride because we're not willing or prepared to surrender everything we presently believe to reasonable examination in the face of superior evidence or truth? Aren't we just a little afraid that our present beliefs might not stand?
[21.11]
The word doctrine simply means teaching; is it really a bad word? Consider and study the following references: Acts 2:42, Romans 6:17, Romans 16:17, 1 Timothy 1:3, 7-10, 1 Timothy 4:6,16, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, II Timothy 3:16, II Timothy 4:2-3, Titus 1:9, Titus 2:1
[21.12]
Is doctrine designed to divide or unify? Doesn't this depend upon the motives of those who teach or debate it? Consider the goal that God has set before His church.
I John 3:14
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Is this goal obtainable? In God all things are possible. Are we in God? If so, why are we unable to unite? Could it be that we have not been able to meet the challenge of Ephesians 4:1-6 and Colossians 3:12-17 "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace?"
Ephesians 4:1-6
1, I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
[21.13]
Why have we not come together? What could our past leaders have done to change this? What can we do now? What are we willing to do? What revelation has God given us that could change this situation?
[21.14]
Misdiagnosis
For generations biblical doctrine has been blamed for being the main cause of spiritual leprosy. The word "doctrine" has become a profanity among God's people. The very use of the word has become synonymous with argument and division. Positioning Christians to accept this false diagnosis has given Satan a great advantage. How can we ever arrive at God's truth; how can we ever truly be united as one body; how can we fulfill the desire of God in I Corinthians 1:10 if we are unwilling to open ourselves to correction?
[21.15]
Avoiding discussion with each other does not bring us closer together nor can it ever be a cure for Spiritual Leprosy, if anything, avoidance furthers it's spread. We have blamed doctrine for our lack of unity and the cure has been halted through misdiagnosis. The root cause of Spiritual Leprosy is not doctrine, but pride. The same pride that caused division in the ranks of the nations of heaven now causes division in the ranks of God's chosen people on earth.
Isaiah 14:12-15
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Ezekiel 28:14-17
14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
[21.16]
Spiritual Surgery
No disease of the flesh is cured without prayer, medicine, surgery or a combination of each. Each requires a commitment. Prayer needs a sincere heart and time, medicine often tastes bad and surgery usually ends in pain and a recovery period.
[21.17]
Each necessitates some sort of investment, as does unity. Before Christians are able to discuss doctrinal issues, they must first be prepared for spiritual surgery in the same way that a medical patient is prepared. They must be built up to handle the traumatic intrusion that invasive surgery causes. Before we can perform spiritual surgery on each other, our relationship must first be strengthened so that the fatality of division doesn't occur as a result. What good does it do to operate on someone to remove cancer if the patient only dies as a result of the operation? We can do nothing about the differences until we've built a solid relationship of love and trust with each other.
[21.18]
Failure to Close
Whenever two Christians engage this way in the pursuit of truth, the potential for injury is ever present. Operations are painful and though the cancer of error may be successfully removed, failure to close properly can result in hemorrhage. What value is it to remove the cancer of doctrinal error which divides us, only to leave our brother open and bleeding on the table. Sure, the cancer is gone; it won't destroy him, but the wound we failed to close will simply allow him to bleed to death. Once we've removed the obstacle which divided us, we must turn our attention immediately to the condition of our relationship. In the heat of debate it may have suffered damage. Spend sometime before parting to reinforce the relationship. If we've been successful in handling our doctrinal differences, we should be closer to one another, not further away. Having said this, I would like to add that sometimes new concepts and understandings take time to digest before the bond of peace is allowed to prevail. Often it takes some thinking and praying time before unity can take place. Stay in touch with each other often but do not attempt to force this issue or any more issues during this short but critical period.
[21.19]
Being Right or Seeking Truth
There are two types of Christians who enter into these spiritual contests. The first type has to be right. They're usually too busy thinking what they're going to say next to really listen to their brother. From the beginning, they've had but one thing in mind and that is to prove their brother wrong and themselves right. Learning new truth never enters their mind because they assume they have it all. They neither accept correction nor give themselves a chance to discover their brother's point of view. If they did, they might learn that their brother has something to offer them.
[21.20]
The second type is the Christian who has no pet doctrine to uphold, no denomination to defend, no pride to maintain; he just wants the truth. He embraces no doctrine with a death grip, but will drop any that fail to stand in the light of greater spiritual understanding as evidenced in the word of God. He wants to be the best bible teacher he can be by storing away all the truth he can. He's always willing to look through the understanding of others, while at the same time, being unwilling to compromise truth to facilitate fellowship. He, like the Bereans, will search the scriptures to see if what is taught is so.
[21.21]
As seen in the days of Naaman and continuing beyond the days of Jesus and the apostles, leprosy has continued to be a plague upon the flesh of man. It has separated families, destroyed relationships and caused rejection, through fear and disfigurement, as body parts literally rotted and fell away. It ended in death, though death often came as a relief from suffering. Spiritual leprosy is the mirror of its fleshly counterpart. It too, destroys relationships and in our minds creates grotesque images of ugly Christians. As a result, we lose brethren like body parts; they fall away, though they too, are part of the body of Christ. Doctrine is not the source of spiritual leprosy. The source of spiritual leprosy is the same that produces the "us" and "them" mentality of division. It's pride, self righteous, arrogant pride. Just because the church hasn't discovered the cure for spiritual leprosy doesn't mean one doesn't exist. It does! God has in this time made known the cure for spiritual leprosy. He has revealed it to us and sent servants with this news across the country and around the world.
[21.22]
Will the Lord's church ever be completely unified? Will we, one day, all be healed from this plague? I fear, not in this age! Many will hear, some will follow, others will continue as before to reject each other and walk in darkness. It is not enough to have the prescription for a cure; we must also be willing to fill it and take it. Remember how close Naaman came to not being healed (2 Kings 5:1-5). He had the right prescription but the wrong attitude and it almost destroyed him. It was only when he heeded the advice of his servants that his healing came. My hope is that each of us will listen to God's servant, follow God's prescription and be healed from the spiritual leprosy which now tears the body of Christ apart. If not, we will continue to walk in ignorance, wanting like porcupines to come together but refusing to do the one thing which will allow us to do so.
[21.23]
The One Thing
One thing we must not do is to repeat the mistakes of the past. We must do for this generation and the next what our spiritual teachers failed to do for us. They taught us to hold onto the doctrines of certain teachers or schools at any cost, those approved by our denominations. Too often we identify with these doctrines as though they were the sum total of who and what we are spiritually. They were wrong, and the damage caused by this instruction has wounded the body of Christ. We can not afford to make the same mistake. It's time for the body of Christ to come together. We must learn to change our beliefs in the light of truth even at the expense of denominational pride. Time is growing short and Christ's return is imminent; if we're not ready now, then when?
[21.24]
The Table and The Shelf
The one thing we must do is put everything on the table. Any doctrine, any time, must be fair game for anyone who feels they can topple it with greater scriptural (biblical) insight. We must be willing to expose all to the acid test of biblical truth and do so with the right heart. We must decide before entering into this test what our motives and attitude will be. Do we desire to prove our brother wrong? Do we want to emerge the victor, or do we simply want the truth? Everything must go on the table, all our beliefs, until all differences are resolved without compromise. What we can't resolve today, must be put on the shelf till tomorrow when once again it must be reviewed. We must continue this process until both shelf and table are clean. For those who have the spiritual maturity necessary to understand this, it is far more profitable to be on the receiving side of the debate (the so-called losing side) than on the correcting side. Those who accept correction grow in maturity, wisdom and knowledge. They become better equipped today after being corrected than they were yesterday. Those who are right (those doing the correcting) must pray for humility and hope someone will enlighten them in some needed area of their beliefs. The only thing that needs breaking in this kind of exchange is pride, self righteousness and hardness of heart (stubbornness).
[21.25]
In The Bond of Peace
In the Ephesians 4:1-6 text, Paul admonishes his fellow brethren at Ephesus to walk worthy of their calling. He then explains what he means by worthy. He interprets worthiness as being "with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering (patience), bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." To behave in any manner other than this would, by implication, suggest a walk (a manner of conduct) not worthy of God's calling. How many times do Christians allow themselves to be drawn into a doctrinal discussion with another who is either not part of God's family or not mature enough to receive or offer sound doctrine? How often do we find ourselves attempting to instruct another with whom we have not laid a proper foundation for a relationship? What does it profit if we win an argument and loose a brother or sister? Before we sit down with another to ponder the truths of scripture we must ask ourselves a few very important questions.
[21.26]
[21.27]
A quick study of I Corinthians, chapter one and twelve, Ephesians chapter four, and Philippians chapter two would assure any true believer how important our unity, as members of Christ's body, is to God. If we break unity over a lesser doctrine is God pleased? Is the body of Christ edified? Each situation mentioned above assumes a discussion with a brother or sister in Christ. To make this assumption we must indeed believe that our discussion is with a true Christian brother or sister, one who already meets the minimum qualifications we deem necessary to make this conclusion. In short, we must believe he is a brother before sitting down with him.
[21.28]
Back To The Table
When Jesus had gathered his disciples about the communion table, He took bread and broke it saying, "this is my body, which is broken for you". He broke the bread as a symbol of his physical body that was about to be broken on the cross at Calvary for the sins of man. The spiritual body of Christ is his church. Once again we, as disciples, are being called back to the table, but this time to be healed and united in the bond of peace by the Spirit of peace.
[21.29]
We must come with a teachable heart, with an attitude of humility and a patience that truly listens "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We must go to the table if we have any hope of seeing His spiritual body made whole.
Psalms 34:18
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 51:17
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Isaiah 57:15
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
[21.30]
Let each of us pray that the above verses light our path to the table of reason and truth, the table of brotherly communion where we can willingly expose our understandings to each other in our continuing search for the truth.
God's truth fears no challenge!