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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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Chapter
19 • THE PROBLEMS
OF LIFE
The
Make-up of an Ecclesia
These differences in response to faith will arise because
each ecclesia is made up of highly individual members: people
who have said "No!" to the thinking and the ways
of the world and have separated themselves from it. But because
they have joined a body which participates in a fellowship
of the spirit between the Father, Son and one another, they
should be all the more sensitive to the feelings and problems
of others, sharing their burdens and seeking their help. Such
should never be guilty of gossip, slander, or unkindness,
but should be seen to be trustworthy.
For example, a spinster sister may be so from choice, from
lack of opportunity in meeting a suitable brother, or because
of the sacrifice of refusing to marry one to whom she was
greatly attracted, because of his lack of response to the
Truth. Such a sacrifice for the Lord is to be immensely admired
and ought never to be made the occasion for a joke about being
"on the shelf". Who knows the hurt that can result
from this; or the magnitude of the offence against Christ's
"little ones"?
In an ecclesia too, members differ not only in education,
profession or occupations, but in temperament and in constitutional
health. There will be the physically strong and healthy who
are seemingly capable of meeting and coping with any problem.
There are those who are far from strong in health and there
may be some who are so highly strung and nervously poised
that the developing responsibilities of family and ecclesial
life bring an increasing number of problems.
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References
Matt 18v6
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Chapter
19 • THE PROBLEMS
OF LIFE
Someone whose nervous system is stretched almost to its limit, may
be so burdened with problems at work that he (or she) may be too
tired and dispirited to cope with the tasks and problems that face
him at home; and family and ecclesial life may be seriously disturbed.
It is of little use for such a brother (or sister) to be told "to
snap out of it" or to be exhorted "You ought to have more
faith".The case needs far more serious concern and help than
that.
There are others who are so reserved in outlook and manner that
they are almost anti-social in their desire to keep to themselves:
sometimes a husband and wife may be so wrapped up in each other
that when something serious happens to one of them, the other is,
for some time, incapable of thinking clearly or of coming to decisions
on necessary actions. The situation is aggravated by the reluctance
of the reserved brother or sister to "bother" other members
of the ecclesia.
Finally there are the ever present problems of sickness, disease
and old age. These are sometimes faced with courage and true faith,
and sometimes with increasing complaint and loss of faith.
What are the Solutions?
There will be many other problems and difficulties that the followers
of Jesus must face and they all ought to be our continuing concern.
But in what ways can they be solved, if at all? And how can we all
help? For in the new life we have not only to learn how to face
difficulties, but also to offer ourselves for a spiritual training
that will aid us to understand and to help others.
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References
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