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(This article was extracted from the puritan John Flavel, (Works, vol. 6, pp.
586-589), and rewritten in modern language. It first appeared in The Protestant
Review from Australia. It must be pointed out that the abbreviation of the
original may appear simplistic. Clearly many more Scripture passages could be
brought to bear concerning the issues raised, but the object of these brief
points is to provoke thought and self-examination.)
Ten Point Check-up
There are ten sins of which church members are frequently guilty. Each of them
is plainly forbidden by the Word of God. Because of this, those who indulge in
them merit God's strong displeasure. However, as each member honestly faces
these issues, the church will receive the fruits of His favor. The ten sins are:
1. Hypocrisy
How we live before the world is vital. Lack of care and thought about how we
live before those outside the church is one of the most common sins of church
members. Colossians 4:5 says, "Walk in wisdom towards those who are
outside." By a careless disregard for this rule, we harden the wicked
in their sins, bring guilt upon ourselves, and reproach upon the name and ways
of God.
2. Laziness
Idleness or neglecting our duties in your work place is plainly contrary to 2
Thessalonians 3:11,12, "There are some who walk among you in a disorderly
manner, not working at all. . .Those who are such we command and exhort through
our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread."
Idleness brings poverty on yourselves and scandal on the name of Christ.
3. Tale-bearing
Tale-bearing and gossiping includes revealing things which should be kept
confidential within a family or between persons. This causes much strife,
cooling and quenching mutual love. It is expressly forbidden in Leviticus 19:16:
"You shall not go about as a tale-bearer among your own people."
1 Timothy warns about those who are "not only idle, but gossips and
busy-bodies, saying things which they ought not."
4. Receiving gossip
Christians sometimes believe rumors or gossip and take rash action against
others on this issue. We ought not to do this against the lowliest member
"lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, backbitings" (2 Corinthians 12:20). We must especially guard
against doing this against church officers, "Do not receive an accusation
against an elder except from two or three witnesses" (1 Timothy 5:19). This
sin strikes at the bond of peace in the family, the church and society.
5. Neglecting worship
Do you neglect God's worship or the Lord's Supper for trivial reasons? That is,
reasons other than works of necessity or mercy. That is contrary to Hebrews
10:25, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as it the
manner of some. . ." Minor matters [of tiredness or functions] should never
hinder us from our chief duty — to worship God.
6. Lateness
Arriving late for worship demonstrates a lack of zeal for God's house. It also
shows that you are not expecting God's blessing in worship. "I was glad
when they said unto me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord'." (Psalm
122:1)
7. Irreverence
Irreverence and lack of seriousness at worship are common sins. "God is
greatly to be feared in the assembly if the saints, and to be held in reverence
by all those who are around Him" (Psalm 89:7). One evidence of this is an
excessive casual attitude towards how we dress for worship. Another evidence of
this sin is a lazy posture. The pew is not a resting place. Nor is it the place
for idle chatter. Ecclesiastes 5:1 admonishes "Walk prudently when you go
to the house of God: and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of
fools."
8. Reproof
Reproof is universally neglected. We have a duty to reprove sin biblically.
"You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of
him" (Leviticus 19:17). This is Christ's own rule: "if your brother
sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone"
(Matthew 18:15). We are also to receive reproof from our brothers when it is
necessary. "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let
him reprove me; it shall be as an excellent oil" (Psalm 141:5).
9. Disunity
Unresolved strife and friction between members causes divisions. Differences are
to be nipped in the bud prudently and promptly, not allowing to blossom into
public scandals. The apostle's rule in 1 Corinthians 6:5-6 is "It is so,
that there is not a wise man among you...But brother goes to law against
brother, and that before unbelievers!. . .Why do you not rather let yourselves
be defrauded?" Paul was always concerned about disunity (1
Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 4:2).
10. Self-centeredness
Beware of a self-centered attitude. Preoccupation with our own concerns is
expressly condemned in Philippians 2:21. "All seek their own, not the
things which are of Christ Jesus." How different was Paul's attitude
to his brothers and sisters in Christ. "Who is weak, and I am not weak?
Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?" (2 Corinthians
11:29).
Six Blessings That Flow From Faithful Self-examination
1. Facing these sins and repenting of them will put a lustre
on your Christian witness before the world. It will make it look glorious to
many who now despise you. "Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things" (Titus 2:10). Paul says this to encourage us to take care how we
live as Christians.
2. This will attract and win many of the world to Christ. It
will wonderfully prosper the purpose of the gospel. "That you may be
blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation. . .that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have
not run in vain or labored in vain" (Philippians 2:15,16).
3. This will powerfully shut the mouths of all who mock or
blaspheme the Christian faith. "For this is the will of God, that by doing
good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:15).
4. This will glorify God which is chief reason for living.
"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
5. This will bring God's blessing of much inward peace,
according to Galatians 6:16, "and as many as walk according to this rule,
peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God."
6. This will insure the presence of God with us and among us, giving us great
joy in worship. It will also give us stability and glory in our churches. Why?
Because Christ walks among the golden lampstands. If we defect from the gospel
He threatens to remove our lampstand from its place — unless we repent (see
Revelation 2:5).
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