IT HAPPENED LAST SUNDAY. The messenger
in our church got off on a tangent, denouncing
some secondary issues the leaders had agreed
not to discuss from the pulpit. I squirmed.
Divergent opinions on these issues were
represented in the auditorium that morning.
They were not essential points of doctrine, but
any subsequent discussion would undoubtedly
affect the unity we were striving to keep.

The one who stands in the pulpit takes
on a tremendous responsibility. James warns
that those who teach will be judged more
strictly. Has it happened in your church?

Malachi lamented, "Why do we profane the
covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with
one another?" (v. 10). It's a serious matter to
break faith within the fellowship of God's
people, and Malachi was challenging believers
to examine why. The reason faith was broken in
their circumstance was because supposed
believers had become apostatecommitting
to pagan gods and lifestyles, even while
pretending to worship God. Such were serious
matters with serious consequences. Their
actions had broken faith with God and His
people. These folks were not bickering over say,
the color of the sanctuary carpeting.

James affirms that the godly teacher's lips
ought to preserve knowledge, and from his
or her mouth people should seek instruction.
He or she is the messenger of the Lord
Almighty.

Joanna Kent

Guard yourself in your spirit and consider carefully why faith
might be broken.