Burke Wrecks Another One

By Bob Dilgard

     When I came to Nashville a “few” years ago to attend Lipscomb, I would often notice signs in front of buildings which read, “Burke Wrecks Another One.” Later when I drove by the same location, I would notice that the building would be missing. Upon inquiry I found that Burke was a demolition company.
    I do not find any fault with the Burke Company . . . their job is a needed function . . . but I think that many Christians should put a similar sign out in front of the church building they attend. Some people spend all their efforts in tearing down the work of the church rather than building it up.
    It doesn’t take much skill to tear down a building . . .  With enough time, I think I could destroy any building. However, I am sure that I could never build a similar building . . . no matter how much time I had! The same is true in the work of the church. It is much easier to tear down the work of others but is much more difficult to build up the works.
    I know of members who can tell you many things their congregation is doing wrong, but when you look for something constructive these members are doing, you will find nothing. No one is perfect (except Christ) so we should expect mistakes from time to time. When we find something that looks wrong to us, it is our responsibility to do something, but to just talk about it and cause division is not the right thing to do.
    Paul tells us that if anyone is in error we should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (Galations 6:1). Jesus said that we should go to such a one alone first and discuss the practice and if that is not effective, then to go to him with one or two others (Matthew 18:15-17). Until we have done this, we have no authority to “tell it to the church.”
    All division in the church is caused by one (or a combination) of three things, lack of knowledge, misuse of knowledge, or lack of love. If our complaint is from lack of knowledge, discussing it with the person (or persons) involved may give us a better understanding of the Scriptures and change our position, or it may cause the other person to better understand and change his position. Let us never be guilty of misusing the truth, as some do, out of envy, jealousy, worldly ambition, etc. If we have the proper love for Christ, His church and others, we will strive to the best of our ability to maintain unity in carrying out the work of the church in accord with God’s Word.
    Jesus prayed that we “all may be one . . . that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Let us never lose this characteristic of unity that identifies us as Christians to the world. Let us leave the wrecking work for demolition companies, and let us work together in unity in the church.

- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.  Lance Cordle preaches for the congregation.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com