Trial by brethren

Jesus labors in our midst to unify us as one body. Yet, oddly enough, He told us that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Mt 10:34). The word of God is like a sword, dividing down to such fine parts as discerning the intentions of one’s heart (Heb 4:12-13). When the sword divides the intentions of all our hearts, it brings division between those who sincerely love and serve the Lord, and those who do not.

Jesus tells us that the sword He brought would cause members of a man's own household to become his enemies(Mt 10:36). He asked us to love Him more than those of our household, not because we shouldn’t love them, but because, when trials come, we are to choose serving God above serving those we love.

Besides finding trouble in our families, there will sometimes be trouble in our fellowships. This is not new to those who walk in faith. Isaiah wrote “Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you because of My name, have said ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame.” (Is 66: 5). Though the brethren may cause us pain, yet it is the Lord who watches the hearts and repays those who oppress and intimidate His own.

In Revelation, John wrote about the conditions of the churches of his time. Their trials are not unlike ours. The Church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13) was also experiencing a trial by brethren. Their trial was so severe that Jesus did not require great works of miracles or evangelism from them. He commended them for keeping his word, and not denying His name. They had endured the oppression of their brethren, who are symbolically called Jews, waiting patiently for God’s intervention. The term “Jews” is used because it represents God’s true people. And yet from this passage we see that God calls them “liars”.

The false brethren, and those in error, lived as if service to God was up to them. Jesus, who is the word of God in the flesh, whose tongue is a sword, divided the brethren in the Church at Philadelphia from the false brethren, by the intentions He found in their hearts. The true brethren had obeyed His words. In Philadelphia, Jesus eliminates the position of the liars from God’s service, and not only establishes the position of the believers, but makes sure it is know Whose they are by giving the true believers God’s Name, the name of the new city, and Jesus’ new name.

Like the Old Testament brethren, the true believers in Philadelphia were promised vindication by God. But we also see other rewards going to them in the form of affirmations of their purpose, God’s love for them, and God establishing them forever in service to Him. Their service is not dependant on their brethren, but on Him. God is opening a door for them that “no man can shut.” He is proving His love to them, causing their enemies to bow at their feet and acknowledging that God loves them. God is making them pillars in His temple, where no man can put them out. In the original temple the pillars were named Jakin (He establishes), and Boaz (in Him is strength) (2 Chron 3:17). The true believers were forever established and no man could exclude them.

Trial by brethren is hard, and because we desire unity in Christ, we do all we can do to live in peace with our fellow believers. One thing Jesus asks us not to do is to give the authority over our faith, our crown, to others (Rev 3:11). I want to encourage you who are experiencing exclusion and oppression by the brethren to “hold on to what you have” and patiently endure until the Lord Himself brings you to the other side of your trial. Be confident in Him Who has overcome, that like Him, you will also overcome. He will establish, and vindicate you. God will show He has loved you. And forever you will reign with Him. Amen.