The Brotherliness of Faith is the title of a chapter in Ian Hamilton’s book, The Faith-Shaped Life; one I highly recommend reading. Its meaning ought to be fairly obvious. Needless to say, many of the following thoughts and points are borrowed from Hamilton.
Over the years of being a Christian and communicating with other believers on social media I’ve seen many squabbles and heated discussions, and have even participated in some (eschatology).
Often we don’t know when to let things be for the sake of peace. Sometimes civil discussions can descend to combative mocking and insults. Most recently this latter stage occurred over differences of opinion regarding the idea of Christian Nationalism. A few wisely walked away.
Hamilton’s advice
These incidents don’t glorify God—rather they present excuses for watching unbelievers to reject Christianity. About the same time I happened to be re-reading The Faith-Shaped Life. Hamilton’s pastoral advice rang clear for me.
He cites Thomas Brooks,
“It is a natural thing for a wolf to worry a lamb; but it is a monstrous and unnatural thing for a lamb to worry a lamb.”
Why does this occur among Christians? Hamilton suggests three reasons.
Point One
Hamilton notes that we can major in the differences, and become too denominationally minded. We talk to much about being “Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Anglicans” etc. I’d certainly add “Amillennialists, Postmillennialists, Premillennialists, Posttribbers and Pretribbers” into that mix.
There won’t be any denominations in heaven, only Christians. We must “cultivate the largeness of spirit which embraces all who God embraces—unless, of course, we are holier than God.” (underline mine)
Point Two
We can be “less than generous-hearted by our tendency to major on doctrinal correctness.” Hamilton affirms that we can never be too concerned with living, loving, practicing and commending the truth. But what spirit do we do this in? Do we alienate others with pride and mean-spirited contention?
It’s possible to be doctrinally sound yet have a cold and loveless heart. See 1 John 4:7-12, 20-21.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… Phil 2:3-5
Point Three
Sometimes we fear displeasing “important believers.” So we “narrow our circle of friends and curtail our range of engagements, in order not to offend those of a less catholic spirit.” Hamilton says that some Christians are often more concerned about not getting things wrong than to get things right.
And, again, doctrinal truth and purity is important. But are we allowing this truth to disengage our fellowship with other believers? He notes that we must strive not to live in isolated small corners but interact in loving fellowship. Moreover: “We need to look to fellow Christians in the face and see Christ. In other words, let’s be friends.”
Seeing Christ in the person we’re contending with? Now that’s a challenge!
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Maranatha!
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