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Party Spirit |
Dear Brethren,
More than
anything else, we all wish to be in the Kingdom of God.
However, too many brethren in God’s Church believe that loyalty
and allegiance to the right group, the right man, or the right
church organization is their ticket to salvation. On the other
hand, God teaches us that there is a behavioral mindset that
will positively rule out and prevent one’s entry into the
Kingdom of God. Those who say that they will serve their group
to the exclusion of other brethren fall into the carnal party
spirit trap that will preclude them from reigning and ruling
with Jesus Christ in the World Tomorrow. Notice this partial
list of divisive attitudes we are warned of, including one
called seditions or party spirit:
“The works of the flesh are plain to see, which are these; …variance
[discord that splits-up people], emulations [competition
against others], wrath [anger against others], strife
[lack of harmony with others], seditions [divisions,
party spirit, schisms and factions, dissensions], … of
the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the
Kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
We are each familiar with the divisive party spirit and animosity that
separates political parties, but for the sake of spiritual
understanding, let’s apply God's instructions with regard to a
party spirit to those within the Church of God.
A party spirit is a devotion to a group, an organization, or a congregation
that surpasses and supplants a right dedication to the
principles of God. A party spirit causes one to elevate their
group above all others, even to the extent of looking down on
church members. The very fact that we have received this
Scriptural warning should be cause for us to examine ourselves
to see if we are guilty of this kind of division.
This “us and them” party spirit can exist among as few as three people, where
it is two against one, or in large church congregations. In
families, this party spirit can sometimes manifest itself in the
wrongful siding with a guilty family member against outsiders.
Their justification of this unjust practice is the clannish
saying, “blood is thicker than water.”
This is God’s will in the matter: “I beseech you, brethren,
by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same
thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment.” (1Corinthians 1:10)
As Jesus Christ looks down from His throne in heaven, He sees only one
Church. He does not recognize the corporate boundaries
established by men. The principles of Christ are universal and
eternal – and they apply to all men. Judgment is on those who
are being called now, and who are led by God’s Holy Spirit
(1Peter 4:17, Romans 8:14). Our salvation is contingent
on our love of all the brethren. “We know that we have
passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.”
(1John 3:14)
The incredible thing in these Laodicean times is that leaders in church groups
routinely prohibit contact with other converted brethren solely
on the basis of, “They are not in our group.” Church
organizations censure those who would associate with those
Christians of other fellowships. How much clearer could Paul
have condemned this practice than when he said, “…There are
contentions among you. Now this I say, that
every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of
Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided?”
(1Corinthians 1:11-13) No! Christ is not divided - His Body is
not divided, and neither is His Church.
The party spirit complex prevents adherence to the teachings of Jesus
Christ. Loyalty to a man or an organization absolutely
precludes dedication to Christ. The apostles, including Paul,
did not ask for or demand loyalty from those whom they served.
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake."
(2Corinthians 4:5)
There are
church officials and leaders in some of the church groups who
only serve their own organizations. They often have the power
and expertise to lend a helping hand – but they will not. They
do not understand who their neighbor is. In the parable of the
Good Samaritan, Jesus asked His disciples, “Which now of
these three, think you, was neighbour unto him that fell among
the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then
said Jesus unto him, Go, and do you likewise.” (Luke
10:36-37)
If an innocent man were imprisoned for life, and a Christian had the
opportunity to lend a helping hand, give encouragement, or
possibly help to open the prison doors, what is his Godly
obligation? Jesus is quite serious about the brethren being
concerned about those in prison. "Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or
in prison, and did not minister unto
thee? Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these,
you did it not to me. And these shall go away into
everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
(Matthew 25:44-46)
Why does Jesus say that those who will not lend a helping hand will go into
everlasting punishment? It is because they refused to
apply the doctrines and principles of Godliness in their
day-to-day lives. When a church official or church leader is
willing to protect his church organization while turning a deaf
ear to the other brethren, it is not putting Jesus Christ first,
and therefore, tantamount to idolatry. Officials and leaders,
especially, must learn to hold the brethren in higher esteem -
not merely giving lip service to these Godly commands. “Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
(Philippians 2:3)
Note these principles of God that each of us individually must be putting
into action in our daily lives. “Withhold not good from
them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to
do it.” (Proverbs 3:27) “To him that knoweth to do
good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)
“Why dost thou set at naught thy brother? For we shall all
stand before the judgment seat of Christ?” (Romans 14:10)
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"Party Spirit"
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