AND THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
KNOWING THE DEVICES OF THE ENEMY
The Old Testament says that the city of David was his fortress (1 Chr 11:5,7). Therefore, when Nehemiah proceeded with the restoration of the city, the enemies appeared (Ne 4:7-8) and those building did the work with one hand and held the weapon in the other (v. 17). This picture is obvious. It typifies that those who build the church must work in the building of the work and fight at the same time. Authority is protection for the church.
We need to fight for it. To fight for the authority of the church, we must learn the lesson. When we lead the brothers to love the Lord and live for Him, enabling them to obtain God's continuous presence, we do not face much opposition. However, as we lead the church to have proper order and submit to God's authority, the enemy attacks.
The book of Nehemiah shows us that the first device of the enemy is not a frontal attack. He attacks from the flanks. All those involved in the work of building need to learn to fight in the spiritual battle. First, we need to know how to deal with the enemy's devices.
Paul says we need to stand firm against the wiles of the devil (Eph 6:11). We do not ignore his schemes. Whenever we build order in the church, Satan uses cunning means to destroy our work. He will make a beautiful proposal through a beloved brother. If we accept it, the entire building will be destroyed.
The wiles of the enemy can often be seen in the church. He carries out a very treacherous work, aimed at damaging the order in the church in order to demolish the walls of the city. In the spiritual battle, it is more important to understand the wiles or devices of the enemy than to wield a sword to fight with him.
This is what Nehemiah did. First, he understood the devices of the enemy. So, when the enemy said, "Come, let us meet," Nehemiah's response was, "None of what you say happened; you are inventing it from your own heart" (Ne 6:1-9). Nehemiah was able to see through the enemy's devices.
Therefore, in the work of building, we need to know the people, the issues, and the devices of the enemy. Our knowledge of the wiles of the enemy depends on knowing the people and the issues. If we do not know the people and their matters, the enemy can hide in them.
Had Nehemiah accepted the enemy's suggestions, he would have fallen victim to their traps. If we do not know a certain issue or matter, we do not know what the wiles of the enemy are, and it will be easy to fall victim to his schemes. The enemy desires to destroy God's authority and order in the church.
For example, there once arose a problem regarding the size of the cup to be used for the Lord's table—whether to use only one large cup or several small individual cups. This problem is actually a matter of authority, not the size of the cup.
In principle, the elders of our district or church should have the administrative authority to determine the size of the cup. The administrative authority on this issue belongs to the elders, not to those responsible for the group meetings.
This is not a minor issue but a fundamental principle. If we want to build and administer the church, the determination of the type of cup will not depend on discerning the truth, but on the decision of the elders. We must obey the representative authority of the elders.
Even if the church in a city uses a large cup, but the district wants to use small cups, the decision will still depend on the elders. It is an administrative matter.
There is no need for debate about the size of the cup for the Lord's table meeting or what to use for the baptismal font, aside from the decision of the elders. Such discussions only lead to chaos and disorder. This indicates a lack of understanding of the issue of authority. In other words, there will be no building in this fundamental aspect.
In principle, we can express our opinion anywhere that is not the church. If we want to follow the way of the Gentiles and practice democracy, we lose God's presence and protection. We need to know God's work of building and His presence and authority.
In matters related to the church, those who serve the Lord should not speak freely. Expressing our opinions makes the church a debating club. This does not mean we should not express our thoughts, but rather that we need to be aware of God's authority.
A brother responsible for a group meeting should deal with problems through the appropriate channel. He can share with the elders and let them know his feelings and perceptions. The problem should be brought to the elders. The elders should not hastily reject the perspective shared by the brother. Instead, they should bring the brother's feelings before the Lord and see how the Lord leads them. This is appropriate.
The responsible brother should then follow the decision of the elders without offering personal judgment. The elders may choose to follow the brother's understanding. They may also come to understand that the entire church should follow the same path. This is an appropriate church.
BUILDING PROPER AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH
The church should function this way, and the administration of any country should also function this way. New measures to be taken do not originate from fights. For a new measure to become law, the legislative body of a country must function appropriately and in order.
Quarrels are ineffective. We need to learn this lesson. When a problem presents itself to us, we should not express numerous differing opinions. There is no need to start disputes in the church. On the contrary, we should build authority, the wall, to protect all the saints in the church. We must learn this lesson if we want to work seriously.
Satan's device is to damage God's building. For this reason, we should not encourage an environment of free expression of personal opinions. Such an environment will bring harm to the church. We should not encourage carnal activities or the expression of human opinions in the church.
We must receive the Lord's working and allow Him to build Himself in us. Those who have already learned the lesson before the Lord and have been perfected know that there is order in the church. This does not mean that they are the authority, but that they maintain the position.
If we have not learned the lesson and been built by the Lord, our work will not be for building. Those saved through us will not know how to conduct themselves because we have not been built by God. Those we instruct will also not know how to behave. We will not be able to build because we have not gone through the building process. As a result, the Lord will not have a way in us.
Current Christianity is chaotic. There are many opportunities for those heading toward chaos. They can even start a congregation however they see fit. However, those who wish to do the work of God's building need to learn very important lessons and see through the enemy's devices.
This is not an issue related to truth. Our opinion may be right, yet we may not walk according to the established order, not obey authority, and not be worked on. Since we have not learned the lesson, we do not know the church.
A brother responsible for a group meeting has no authority to decide something regarding the administration of the church. If the churches in Taiwan use large cups for the Lord's table, it is foolish for a group meeting to change to small cups. This proves that we have not yet learned the lessons and do not yet know the church and the building. It shows that we are presumptuous and insolent.
We need to learn this solemn lesson, and then we will be able to do an equally serious work. This work will be valuable because it will be the building. Building authority does not mean building our own authority, but building God's order in the church.
When someone comes into contact with this authority, they will realize that this is indeed the church, and God's order is present here. God will have a way, and so will we. For centuries, many people have followed the way of institutionalized Christianity. However, this is not God's way. May the Lord give us grace to know His building regarding the administration of the church and the ministry of the word.
Enjoy more: Hymn 384
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