Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday October 10, 2007

Monday's letter on the issue of our proper response to criticism touched many spore spots, I know I still have a few and the response to the article was several positive remarks.

My friend of many years, Pastor Lloyd Shepherd, who bears deep scars in his soul having been attacked viciously and often, knows the pain. I want you to read his note about the article and then I share an amazing fact with you:

Bro Larry,

"If only we had learned this lesson in our youthful pastoral years. Now, I too, compare the criticism with scripture. If the criticism offered has a scriptural foundation, whether of the godly or ungodly, I prayerfully consider it. If it has a fleshly foundation I dismiss it and go on. All of the crying over the past few years (even recently) has only taught me just how foolish I have been. Truly this work we are in is all about Him and not us. It is nice to be appreciated, but it is not necessary to the work we do. It is nice to be recognized as God's gift to the folks in our flock but it is not necessary to keep us from doing the work we are called to do. It is nice when people respect the man of God (if I may think that of myself) but it is not necessary in being faithful to the work we have been charged to do. It would be nice not to be betrayed and hated by those you thought loved you but it is not necessary nor is vengeance for God will deal with those that treat us in such a shabby manner. It would be nice to think that we could finish our work in peace and harmony but it is not necessary to "the peace of God that passeth all understanding." After all Christ finished His earthly work of love on the cross of shame (Hebrews 12:2)."

Many who know of the extent of my past work with "fallen Christian workers" (Not fallen from grace, but service and fellowship) often ask me, "Larry, what is the major factor in these good people, just suddenly throwing up their hands and surrendering to evil?" Pastor Shepherd's note gives a major clue. Multitudes of pastoral or missionary drop outs literally suffer from the biting and devouring spoken of by Paul in his letter to the saints at Galatia.

I received a note from a friend and he, with a broken heart, told of a man who had committed suicide and one reason was that false accusations had been made against him and as a result he withdrew from Christians. Many are the times I have been tempted to do the same. Not suicide, but the withdrawing into a ground hog hole and pulling it in behind me. I am thankful that my friends would not let me find the hole. I said to my friend, "During a time when I was suffering at the hands of Christians, I was comforted and made whole by other Christians." Sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and let people help you.

Lloyd's emphasis on the truth that we must be faithful even when people are not nice is a truth the needs to be shouted from the roof tops of Bible Colleges and Seminaries. I appreciate all who are nice to me, but nice is NOT essential in my service to Christ.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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