by Leroy Brownlow (1914-2002)

More knocking on doors and less knocking on each other. The great commission demands that we busy ourselves in taking the gospel to others (Mark 16:15). The Bible says, “speak not evil one of another” (James 4:11). It is so much better to be busy doing good rather than evil.

More sound heads and fewer sourheads. Perhaps there has never been a time in the history of the church in which we have had a greater need for men sound in the faith and wise in judgment. Sometimes the voice of the wise goes unheeded and the voice of the foolish takes over (cf. 1 Kings 12:6-8).

More open hearts and fewer open mouths. All conduct proceeds from the heart. Prejudice closes the heart to a true consideration of the facts. If the heart was made right before the mouth was opened, most church problems locally and universally would cease to exist (James 3:5-6; Proverbs 26:20).

More seed-slinging and less mudslinging. The task of sowing the seed of the kingdom is so great that it should leave no time for the slinging of mud at a brother. The fact that we have the whole world as our foes should draw us closer together (Proverbs 18:24). There should be no division in the Lord’s camp (1 Corinthians 1:10). One can never whitewash himself by slinging mud at another. He who tries gets his own hands dirty.

More sacrifice of self and less sacrifice of others. There are plenty of members of the church who are willing to sacrifice the other fellow—his talent, his time, his money, and even perhaps his reputation. Sacrifice should begin at home (Luke 9:23).

More concern over direction than speed. This is the jet and missile age. Speed is being enthroned and multitudes bow before it. But in the Lord’s work, the greater question is not: “How fast are we traveling?” but rather, “Which way are we going?” (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14). All speed is not progress. On the other hand, neither is standing still.

—The Lakeside Messenger, Church of Christ, Higden, AR