Friendly Fire…that isn’t so friendly
After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” 11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
Asen Dynasty Monument | Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria | April 2024
The first experience I had at a national church convention was extremely disappointing and discouraging. I was two or three years out of seminary. I still had a very rosy view of ministry and was not prepared for the political maneuvering and unkind comments and innuendos too casually tossed about. I thought it was quite unfair that the leader of our church body was so viciously attacked and accused of unfaithful leadership.
I can understand someone expressing personal questions about a leader’s actions that infringed on his sensibilities. I can even allow that someone would express a desire for a less controlling or a more rigorous leadership style. We all have our biases. And these are proper concerns to express. But to accuse someone of acting too harshly or failing to act decisively without knowing all the facts is another matter altogether. This was happening before my eyes and in my ears. Very sad. Saddest most, the accusations came at the Synod President those many years ago and he couldn’t answer, because to do so would have betrayed a confidence to which he was privileged, and which he was morally, ethically, and legally obligated to keep.
At least, however, that situation was not as severe as faced by Paul in Greece. Luke tells us that a plot was made against Paul by the Jews. While no specifics are offered by Luke, he mentions two other plots in 9:23-24 and 23:12). Certainly the word plot itself implies more than an ugly smear campaign. There must have been harm intended. Else why the change his travel plans and agree to be accompanied by the entourage of bodyguards as he was.
Injury by friendly fire is a casualty of war. But friendly fire that isn’t really so friendly is so very sad. Wounds of a friend can be trusted. Let’s do all we can to wound others only for their good, only when absolutely necessary, and only with the kindest heart. Correcting and disciplining a brother or sister must be done gently, as Paul counsels so graciously in Galatians 6:1, “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” The temptation would be to self-righteousness and pride. The goal is always to win the brother or sister in Christ, and restore her or him to fellowship and faithfulness.
That’s not friendly fire, that’s friendly faithfulness.
David Bahn - Reflections 