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Sometimes we hear the question, "Are you a man or a mouse?" being used in a negative light. Those who use it do so in order to pressure others to sin. In this article, however, we are going to study its biblical meaning.
There will always be a time when individual christians as well as each local church must stand tall, firm, and brave
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).We live in an age during which many of our brethren have fallen away leading others with them into the wilderness of sin. It is necessary, therefore, that we put on "the whole armour of God," (Ephesians 6:13) in order that we may save both ourselves and others, "pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh," (Jude 1:23).
We must also have the right attitude. Paul teaches that we are to "overcome evil with good," (Romans 12:21). This includes preaching the word of God regardless if the world and those within the Lord's body believe that we are wrong (2 Timothy 4:2) for speaking out against things such as homosexuality, abortion, institutionalism, and liberalism; turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39); and doing good to our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
Just as there are times when we should act like men, as previously mentioned, we must also be like mice. When confronted with danger, a mouse always runs quickly from its predator. Likewise, Christians must flee temptation whenever it arises, regardless of its source. Paul instructs us to "abstain from all appearance of evil," (1 Thessalonians 5:22). For example, when Joseph was confronted by Potiphar's wife to commit adultery, he refused and fled.
This concept applies also to the church. It is of great importance that every local church
mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them (Romans 16:17).There are three dangers of which I am aware that exist within the Lord's church. These must be identified, purged (1 Corinthians 5:7), and avoided if we are to remain true to Christ. First, the danger to mold the church to fit the culture no matter how many times it changes. Second, the danger to endorse things such as the Nashville Jubilee. Last, the danger to have fellowship with false teachers as well as supporting churches that practice error (i.e. instrumental music, institutionalism, and women having authoritative rule over men).
Brethren, let us remember to stand up for Christ while at the same time watching out for and avoiding the snares which the devil has placed in our path.
Ira Mikell
ira@thechristianexaminer.com
Although the term "liberal" is one which all of us in the church try to avoid with sound doctrine, we very often forget that we can be very liberal in the eyes of the Lord and be found more pleasing in His sight: if we are liberal in our giving to those who are in need.
The job of giving liberally to those who are in need is for the individual Christian, and not the church itself. We are told to give often, yet never as a composite church, but as individuals. As it is not my intent here to discuss this portion of the issue in depth, please visit http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/denominations/NI.html for more information.
Unfortunately, many of us get so wrapped up in arguing against the church giving liberally to those in need that we forget our individual command to do so. This is a grievous error! Scripture is very clear on our responsibilities, as shown in Matthew 25:34-46:
"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'As we can see, one of the points of the Judgment will be on how liberal we were with those who needed our assistance! This is truly something to keep in mind.
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'
Then they themselves also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'
Then He will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Liberality in giving is so important that James says in James 1:27,
This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.Devotion to God may be summed up in two statements, one of which is the need to give to those in need!
It is important that we remain steadfast in the truth; however, we must always be on guard to make sure that we are so zealous against certain errors that we neglect related commandments that have surely been given to us. We must continue to show that the church proper does not have the authority to support institutions, but we must not do so at the expense of our own liberality toward those in need.
Ethan R. Longhenry
ethan@thechristianexaminer.com
www.deusvitae.com
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