Dr. Couch, why is it impossible for some Christians to be able to restore fellowship when there is a relationship broken?
The answer is simple—just plain old stubbornness and carnality. The
apostle Paul put it this way to the Corinthians: “For you are still
fleshly (carnal, operating by the senses) for since there is jealousy
and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like
mere men?” (1 Cor. 3:3). You cannot color this any other way. When
fellowship is shattered by one party, it is because of sinful carnality.
I have observed through the years that this comes about because of the
sinful stubbornness of the hypocritical super fundy who prides himself
on his perfection. That in itself shows his sinfulness.
The inability to say “I’m sorry” is also a characteristic of the
trouble-maker. They cannot confess the fact that they have shattered a
relationship because they cannot admit openly to others and to
themselves that they sin! They pretend they are perfect!
Generally, these folks are willing to forever break fellowship rather
than to look at themselves and apologize. They are incapable of doing
that. The Bible tells us that such people are revolting against someone
who has done nothing against them. Proverbs 18:19 could read, “A brother
‘revolted’ against is harder to be won back than taking a strong city.
And contentions (wars) are (strong) like the bars of a castle.” Once the
fundies attack it is impossible to restore a relation unless they
confess their carnality and the fact that they have tried to destroy a
fellow Christian.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
