At some point, nearly every brother or sister feels like leaving the ecclesia. Sometimes we want to leave the truth altogether. But in most cases, we want to be off by ourselves, breaking bread on our own, free of the obligations and annoyances of ecclesiastical life. Splinter fellowships often start this way and eventually rationalize their position by finding some error in the Central fellowship which supposedly justifies their position.
We are unaware of any individual or group of individuals who are momentarily about to leave the community. Accordingly, the following remarks are not directed at some unnamed situation. They were originally written, however, to someone who was planning to leave the ecclesia. Since we were not intimately familiar with the case, the comments were sufficiently general that they may prove useful for all of us to note in the back of our minds for those occasions when we feel like leaving.
Mandatory membership
We are not only baptized into Christ, but we are also baptized into the one ecclesial community (I Cor. 12:13). We become part of the body which is dependent on the participation and contribution of every part for its effective development (Eph. 4:16).
Therefore — ecclesial membership is not optional.
Trial develops character
Our characters are now being developed through trial (Heb. 12:67). This process is essential to the development of the godly attributes which are a prerequisite to the bestowal of immortality (Heb. 12:10-11). Trial means difficulties in the
experiences of life. If ecclesial life is a significant part of our life’s experiences, some of the difficulties we must face will necessarily come from our ecclesial associations.
Therefore — do not be surprised when ecclesial life brings problems.
God chooses our associates
We do not pick our ecclesial companions; they are chosen of God and His selection is not based on their worldly attractiveness (I Cor. 1:26-27). Other people in an ecclesia may not be attractive to us. They may not be at our intellectual or social level; they may have personalities that irritate us; they may have interests wholly different from our own. The only common denominator we will likely find is a belief in and commitment to the truth.
The practical result of this situation is a lot of friction and a lot of character development. We learn patience by patiently enduring irritations; we learn forgiveness by practicing it when someone hurts our feelings; we develop peaceableness by making peace with those who strive against us. This process is one we would often like to avoid by absenting ourselves from ecclesial life. We often would feel more comfortable with those in the world who share our hobbies, our interests and are at our own economic level.
We must always remember, however, that God has chosen us to associate with others and has chosen others to associate with us so that all of us might develop godly attributes.
Therefore — do not scorn those whom God has chosen.
Don’t look for a lot of rules
Godly living is not conducted according to a list of rules and regulations, but according to the application of divine principles to specific situations. In many circumstances, this creates difficulty and disagreement. Without God-given rules, decisions must be made as to the application of appropriate principles. Invariably, ecclesial members will see things a bit differently, and this can result in acrimonious relationships.
For example, consider the instructions regarding sister’s silence in the assembly. The principles are clear enough, sisters are not to usurp authority over brethren (I Tim. 1:12), but, the specific applications are not so clear. Is the sister permitted to ask questions at a Bible class in the normal meeting room? What about after the service is over? What about when a class is held in a home?
At times, we probably just want to ask God to give us the rules and we’ll follow them!
But we are not given rules; we are given principles and we must decide how to implement them.
God has not made a mistake in this regard. He could have given us the rules, but He is preparing us to make decisions in the kingdom (I Cor. 6:2). Accordingly, ecclesial life will, by design, lead to disagreement with others on many occasions.
What are we to do? Should we always insist on our own view of how to apply principles to practical situations? Should we leave the ecclesia if our decision is not followed? Surely that cannot be the right course. If everybody did that, eventually there would be no ecclesia.
Therefore — work patiently in an ecclesial environment to apply principles to specific cases.
Valid reasons for separation
The valid reasons for separating from ecclesial members are if they do not repent of the persistent practice of grievous sin or if they relentlessly propound wrong doctrine.
In Revelation 2 and 3, the Lord threatens disassociation from those in Pergamos who taught idolatry and fornication. He threatened to disfellowship ecclesias at Ephesus and Laodicea because they had forsaken enthusiasm or were consumed with self-satisfaction and materialism (Rev. 2:14,4-5; 3:16-17). The apostle Paul urged separation from individuals who practiced extortion, drunkenness, abusive language, covetousness, fornication or idolatry (I Cor. 5:11). There is certainly no precedent here for separation on the basis of a personality clash or occasional differences of understanding or of disagreement over the application of principles.
Therefore — only separate on the basis of certain, persistent error in doctrine or practice.
Do not be a blind follower
We are individually accountable before God: “Every one shall give account of himself before God” (Rom. 14:11). We must stand on our own feet, making our own decisions in Christ
Therefore — do not blindly follow the lead of some other person.
In almost every situation of ecclesial life, a right and balanced evaluation of biblical principles leads to one conclusion — don’t leave.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One