The Calling-Out Phenomenon

  

By Charlie Edwards, ThD

One of the many peculiar practices of the inhabitants of this final period of time in the Church Age (a parenthetical period of time [i.e. gap] between the death of Christ and the rapture of the church) is what we refer to as the “calling out phenomenon.” It is yet another example of the results of numerous prophesies in the Old and New Testaments regarding the decaying spiritual wellbeing and relevance of the word of God in the hearts and lives of modern Christians. In this paper our goal is to “call it out,” and examine it in the light of scripture rightly divided.

How many times have you heard someone mention in conversation about how they “called out” someone because they did this or did that. This act of righteous indignant Christians taking it upon themselves to correct a parent, grandparent, co-worker, brother, sister, etc. about a self-conceived mishandling of whatever matter, has become commonplace in modern Christianity. If not carried out with haste, the “calling out person” tends to feel like he’s compromising and not doing “his duty” for failing to voice his distaste to the guilty party that dared err against him.

Spiritual Decay

First let’s examine the phrase, “the decaying spiritual wellbeing and relevance of the word of God.” Amos wrote, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:” (8:11). We’re there! We are in a Scripture Famine. We have a societal movement to purge ourselves of God and His words from everything. Kids aren’t allowed to pray in school, ballgames, public gatherings, etc. We’re worried about offending the heathen if any Bible verses are quoted publicly. But wait there’s more! Take a look at the churches. Surely there we’ll find the words of God. In an effort to avoid offending anyone, we exchanged the word of God for a plethora of modern translations. Paul wrote, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

  In these final days of the church age, there are countless activities that prevent the average Christian from any serious study of the scripture. Let’s take a look at some typical examples: TV viewing and “favorite TV shows,” News Media, computer gaming, social media, the mystical-magical attraction of the smart phone, and what we refer to as “Martha-ism” (This is the practice of the modern “sincere Christian” [in many cases, a new convert] who desires to serve the Lord, but unknowingly becomes the classic example of the truth Paul exposes in Romans 10:2, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” That is, they are enticed by church staff to get heavily involved in the various ministries of the local church, which when added to their daily family responsibilities, employment, grocery shopping, taking the kids to soccer, etc. they have zero time for communion with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading. In many cases, when they do actually take time to “study the Bible,” their focus is on some book “about the Bible” or a “Study Book” with page after page of fill-in-the-blanks. They are oblivious to the fact that they’re not really getting God’s word, but only the private interpretation (2 Pet. 1:20) of the author of the fill-in-the-blank book.)

There is no substitution for the individual Christian reading his/her Bible, one on one with the Son of God. Moreover, there is no growth in grace apart from growth in knowledge and understanding of scripture. Isaiah wrote, “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read…” (Isa. 34:16). The Bible says, “Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart” (Job 22:22). Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Pet. 2:2). John wrote, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Jn. 5:39). Paul wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Strangely, the last three references have been altered or completely omitted from the modern translations.

Martha-ism

The truth of Martha-ism is given for our admonition in Luke 10:39-42: “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” For Mary, spending time at Jesus’ feet and hearing His words were priority. Sister Martha was busily “serving the Lord” with lots of time-consuming activities, the least of which was being at the feet of her Lord and hearing His words. Notice that Jesus Christ supported our underlined statement above regarding the most important thing a Christian should do.

While we are on this subject, let me take the time to bolster that last statement. The Bible says in Matthew 12:30 (as well as five other places in scripture), “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” God wants our love. He loves us (John 3:16). He saved us so that we could have fellowship with Him. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn 1:3). Martha was busy about much serving. Serving the Lord is of course, important for every Christian. But when it crowds out our quality time in the Book, we’re cheating God as well as ourselves.

Parents

There are many truths given in the Old Testament that will stand true for all eternity. The only commandment of the Decalogue given to Moses in Exodus 20 that does not apply to every Christian is verse 8, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” The Lord Jesus purposely broke the Sabbath numerous times in display of its temporary annulment (Col. 2:16-17). Just as “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not steal” are Old Testament commandments, they and others are still quite relevant today. With that in mind, focus on the fifth commandment in verse 12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” This verse will never be abrogated. It is still germane today for every Christian. We are to honor our parents and elders if we wish to remain in fellowship with the Lord.

I point this out because in these last days there is a propensity on the part even of Christians, to disrespect their parents and other elders with regard to the “calling out phenomenon.” I have witnessed Christians “calling out” their parents over some supposed infraction on their part. It is the express purpose of this paper to show the insolence in light of the word of God in such actions. The weight of Exodus 20:12 is severe enough that the Lord is saying, in essence, “Respect your parents if you want to live a long time.” As well as, “If you disrespect your parents, I just might shorten your life!” Paul wrote, “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat (“treat”) him as a father;” (1 Tim. 5:1). Mat. 15:4, “For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” It is not the place of a son or daughter to correct a parent and especially to “call them out” over any matter.

Where Does This “Calling Out” Concept Originate?

There are certain “Rules of Thumb” when it comes to rightly dividing the scriptures in this current age. One of those rules is, “never get your doctrine from Matthew, Acts, or Hebrews.” Or as a friend of mine says, “If it doesn’t agree with what Paul says, it probably isn’t for you.” What is wrong with those three books of the New Testament? Absolutely nothing! You must, however, understand that they are “transition books” and making proper application to their truths can be challenging for some Christians. (Here again, we stress the importance of knowing the scripture.) Paul said, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1 Cor. 3:2). Isaiah wrote, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” (Isa. 28:9). Jesus, speaking to His disciples said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” All of these passages speak of the inability to understand the words of God on the part of those who are not mature in the Lord (Acts 18:24). Again, maturity in Christ comes from knowing the scripture.

Back to the Matthew, Acts, and Hebrews rule of thumb: For example, a great deal of the book of Matthew has to do with the Kingdom of Heaven and the Nation of Israel. The phrase, “Kingdom of Heaven” refers to the visible, literal, physical, Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ as King of Israel and the universe. Much of the book is speaking prophetically to the Jew in the Tribulation. I have often heard well-meaning pastors preach on the “Sermon on the Mount” (Mat. 5-7) and try to make application to Christians plucking out their right eye and cutting off their right hand, etc. It simply will not work. The bulk of the Matthew text is for the Old Testament Jew and the Tribulation Jew (Israel and NOT the church). The same is true for much of Mark and Luke, where we find parallel passages.

This “Calling Out” trend emanates from a passage in Matthew 18 and the parallel in Luke 17. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” (Mat. 18:15-16). “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.” (Lk. 17:3). What do these two passages mean? Do they give authority to Christians to call out the sins or irritating idiosyncrasies of a fellow Christian and even to their parents? We will put aside “what we think it says,” and allow the scripture to explain itself (2 Tim. 2:15).

Regarding the passage in Matthew 18 above, the verse that follows says, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” (Mt. 18:17). This verse instructs the reader to “tell it to the church.” This seems at first, to be a contradiction to what was said above regarding what Matthew says not being relative to the Body of Christ (the Church). However, it can also serve to prove the rule. We mentioned that the Church did not begin (Eph. 2:12-16) until Christ gave up the Ghost on the cross (“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth” - Heb. 9:16-17). In Matthew 18 Christ had not yet given up His life. However, He could have been speaking of the Church prophetically or, in the sense of an “Ecclesia” (the Greek word in the text), a “called out assembly.” Christ’s disciples were exactly that. In Acts 7:38 we find another passage that sheds light to Matthew 18:17 regarding the word “church.” “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” Here in Stephen’s discourse, the Holy Spirit used the word “church” for Moses and the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness. Since Christ’s redemptive work was not yet complete (on the cross), the word “church” could refer to either Christ’s called out assembly of disciples or it could be the prophetic reference to the church and more specifically, church discipline. It is definitely NOT a proof text giving authority to “call out” another person to “set them straight.”

With respect to church discipline, if a local church member has a sin problem that is a public embarrassment and blatant violation of the church covenant, a pastor or elder should approach the person with his problem to seek resolution. This is not the same thing as going to a brother or sister in Christ and letting them know what they are doing “isn’t right” in your opinion. For additional material on present day church discipline the reader should refer to 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 2.

What If I Get “Called Out?” or                                                    What Should I Do In Stead of “Calling Out” Someone?

What should we do in situations like this when they arise? First of all rejoice in the Lord! “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4). You don’t grow in grace by living in bliss and flowery beds of ease. We mentioned earlier that the Christian should get his doctrine from the Apostle Paul. It just so happens that Paul has the answer for us. Romans 12:19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” When someone you know, has done something to offend you, you must first understand that it is not your place to correct them.

Paul says in Colossians 3:12-15, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Additionally, he said in Ephesians 4:2-3, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The word, “forbearing” in Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:2 is “anechomai,” which means “to put up with.” We are to love our brothers and sisters and parents in Christ. The words, “kindness, humbleness, meekness, longsuffering, forgiving, should describe the Christian’s state of mind. We are to forget the petty disagreements, and forbear (put up with) each other in Christ. Simon Peter admonishes us to handle these situations as Christ did: “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Pet. 2:21-23).

Conclusion

The mature Christian should never stoop to the level of helping God out by taking care of his own vengeance. That is God’s business and His only. We are to be kind one to another, humble, meek, longsuffering, and forgive those who offend us. Peter wrote, “…be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Pet.3:8-9).  God can take care of someone else’s problems much better than we can. Pray for the person you are tempted to correct and rebuke. Let the Lord take care of them. Look at each situation as if it was another opportunity to see the power and working of God almighty on your behalf. Paul spoke under the direction of the Holy Spirit in his epistles. Please take the time to read the entire chapter below:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

It is our prayer that this essay has been edificatory. Additionally, we hope this paper will offer a challenge for every Christian to read his/her Bible from cover to cover on a regular basis and not allow devotion books or any other “thing” to interfere with his/her growth in the grace and sweet fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16).