A tragedy occurred in Cumberland County last Tuesday afternoon. A 5-year-old boy had received a .22 rifle as a gift last year. “It’s a little rifle for a kid. …The little boy’s used to shooting the little gun,” said the coroner. Except last Tuesday afternoon, he accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old sister. The gun was kept in the corner and no one realized there was a shell still in the gun. The coroner further stated, “Just one of those crazy accidents” (www.kentucy.com).
Except this accident will haunt that little 5-year old for the rest of his life. It’s a tragedy for the whole family. The news release did not mention other siblings, just his mom. Could you imagine the pain in that little boy’s heart over what he did? That is an extremely heavy burden for a little fellow to carry. He will, no doubt, require counseling to handle the guilt he will carry with him.
Sometimes, we in the church will shoot fellow members too. Not literally. Emotionally or spiritually. Part of the motivation Paul had for writing the letter to the Philippian church is because two sisters in the congregation were not getting along. “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:2-3).
Problems between family members can be tense and draining, stressful and often times unnecessary. Problems in the church can be even worse. Many of us hold our convictions quite strongly and have a hard time – in the absence of biblical support – allowing opinions to be opinions.
We “shoot” our brother or sister when we insist that they agree with us rather than agreeing with the Bible. We “shoot” our brother or sister when we criticize them for something they cannot help or something they are struggling with (and they don’t need us to point it out to them). We “shoot” our brother or sister when we react to something they have said or done with far more intensity than the situation requires.
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It is a tragedy to lose your physical sister. My heart goes out to that little boy and his family. It is a greater tragedy if we run off someone from Christ and the Church because our own attitude was not Christ like.
“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:2-4).
Don’t shoot your brother or sister. (Don’t keep a loaded gun in the house, either; especially if there are children in the home).
–Paul Holland
