Herbert W Armstrong

Then on Friday, June 28, Mr. Armstrong left to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the Church in Des Moines, Iowa, on his way to visit the campers of the first session of SEP in Orr, Minnesota. As he has for the past several years, Mr. Armstrong plans to visit all three sessions at Orr this summer. These visits provide quite an encouraging boost to the youngsters, helping to orient them in the right direction, vividly showing them the real meaning and purpose in their lives and the great future that lies before them.

In a recent conversation with a field minister, he discussed with me how a fellow minister (one of his neighboring pastors) had pointed out to him a problem that was obvious to others, but that he hadn't been able to see himself. He explained how much he appreciated the concern and love, and the guts it took for his fellow minister to do what he did.

Through the years, many ministers have gone out of the ministry and out of the Body of Christ. There have been many reasons for this, but there is one common thread in the vast majority of cases. That is the fact that the sin, rebellion, bitterness, laziness, lack of wisdom, or other problem that eventually takes one out of the Church, starts out small.

In Hebrews 3:12-14 the Apostle Paul gave us a powerful admonition containing several very important lessons. In verse 12 he tells us that we must "Beware [be on guard, watch out], brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God" (RAV). Don't think it can't happen to you! In the article "Satan Use and Deceive Me? Never!", which appeared in the December 5, 1980 PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, Mr. Armstrong explained that none of us is immune to being deceived and led away from God by the devil. Quoting Mr. Armstrong from page 1 of the article: "But do you think YOU are immune from the wiles and subtle deceptions of Satan? Are YOU stronger than Satan? DON'T SO UNWISELY UNDERESTIMATE SATAN! Satan is the strongest being or personage God ever created, except the other two archangels Michael and Gabriel. Satan DID get to the more than a half dozen top-ranking ministers in God's Church Even though they themselves do not realize it."

Mr. Armstrong explained further on page 4 of the same article, "If you reject one point of truth, or take one step aside into a point of error — unless you repent immediately and get back to the light — you will take more and more steps into erroneous beliefs, and one by one give up the points of TRUTH you had seen and accepted." He continued, "It [some ministers leaving God's Church] started, in every case, by taking one first step in Satan's direction — compromising — becoming 'liberal' — or resenting and rebelling against GOD'S GOVERNMENT in His Church — or letting a spirit of SELF enter in — it could be self-righteousness, or self-centeredness in COVETING P 0 W E R."

Paul explains in verse 12 of Hebrews 3 that the thing that can cause us to depart from God is an evil heart of unbelief. Unbelief, again, starts out small. It can take many forms. It can begin, for example, with a little doubt about a doctrinal area such as tithing. This doubt can then grow into a little discontent about how money is spent, then develop into a little mistrust of the leadership of the Church. That will develop into a questioning of Mr. Armstrong's authority as God's Apostle. That will develop into nagging doubts about God's ability to lead His Church, or about God's presence in it. The next "logical" step is to go elsewhere to find something more consistent with the way one now feels. It always ends up as rejection of the Government of God, passively in some, actively in others through direct opposition or hostility.

Of course, this is only one example. Unbelief can also begin with hurt feelings, with a feeling of having been "put down," with a personality clash, with a pet idea or theory that goes unrecognized or unaccepted, etc. The list goes on and on. You can work out the progression of attitude deterioration in each case yourself. It has happened again and again through the years. And it is happening today, and will no doubt continue to happen until Christ returns.

Now notice what Paul says in verse 13, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Paul is making two points. One is to listen to such constructive exhortation before it is too late. The other is to offer spiritual help to one another before it's too late — before a problem becomes so big that it takes us out of the Body of Christ. As Paul said here, sin is deceitful. And as time passes it hardens us. We can come to the place where we won't even listen to a fellow minister's concerned exhortation.

How often has it happened that a minister had a problem that was very obvious to neighboring pastors, but nobody ever had the courage to talk directly to him about it? Consequently, so much time was allowed to pass that the man became "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." The neighboring pastors failed to do the good that was within their ability!

We've had ministers, as Mr. Armstrong explained again in his recent WN article, who began to water down doctrine or to compromise with God's Word and eventually left God's Church. How many neighboring pastors had the courage and godly confidence to follow God's instruction to go to them about it? Many did. And sometimes they suffered for it. But didn't Paul also say, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12)? And what about the times when a concerned reminder or exhortation from a fellow minister helped one to diligently seek God and make the necessary changes to thwart Satan's attack? Remember that regardless of the situation, God's way always works, and always works best!

Why do we so often fail to follow Paul's instruction in Hebrews 3? Do we think: Oh, he won't listen anyway, so why should I bother? But in Matthew 18:15, Christ said that if you bring a matter to your brother and he hears you, you have gained your brother. (See also James 5:19-20.) But what if he doesn't hear you? At least you have fulfilled your obligation. You have followed the instruction God has given you. And besides, the seed you plant may take root sometime much later. The real question is, do you love your brother? If you do, you will desire to help him before it is too late.

The tendency to let down, to liberalize God's Law, to become permissive, is within us all. Sometimes we need a gentle, loving "kick in the seat of the pants" to bring us to our senses! And, in fact, we should always be praying for correction and help to grow and improve. Sometimes, help from a fellow minister is the answer to that prayer.

Let's continually pray for one another. But let's also realize that there is a time when God expects us to "exhort one another." Sometimes love means doing the distasteful thing. We cannot afford to be afraid to point out an obvious problem to a fellow minister. (We are not to be watchdogs over neighboring pastors either, and any such matter should be taken to God in prayer first, seeking a humble and contrite spirit, to have the right attitude of sincerely desiring to help our fellow pastor.)

Work at helping, encouraging, supporting and strengthening one another. And be willing to listen to one another in a humble attitude. Even associate or assistant pastors, and local church elders, should be made to feel free by their pastor to bring serious matters of concern to him, in a godly attitude of respect, humility and sincere desire to help. We cannot become so rank conscious that everyone under us is afraid to bring a problem to us, or to respectfully point out an error, or make a suggestion. Love cannot be perfected in fear.

Also remember that in situations where another minister is truly watering down doctrine, or sowing seeds of discord, or causing division, you have an absolute obligation to notify Headquarters so it can be stopped. Then we can also beg in helping the individual himself to come to repentance.

In Hebrews 3:14 Paul says, "For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." We must endure to the end. Let's bear one another's burdens through prayer, encouragement and wholehearted support. Let's let "iron sharpening iron" be a living principle in our lives.

Thanks again to each of you wives. Your support and encouragement is truly of supreme value to your husband's ministry. God made you a help. Realize that Satan would also like to get at God's people through you. So stay close to God.

You ministers, be sure each of you is giving your wife the encouragement and support she needs, reminding her always of how much you love her, and how important and valuable she is to you and your ministry. Your wife is 50% of your ministry, as Mr. Armstrong has so often said. Cultivate and strengthen that 50%. Be sure you are setting a right example spiritually for her, and providing the kind of peaceful home environment that encourages enthusiastic growth.

Keep up the good work! Pray daily for Mr. Armstrong and the work God has given him to do. I know he prays daily for all of you.