Jump Start # 1824

2 Timothy 4:14 “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.”

We continue our series, “What they didn’t tell me when I became a Christian.” One of the difficult things to understand and much too often, each of us will experience at one time or another, is when Christians act very “unchristian” towards us. We can be wounded by “friendly fire,” except too often, the fire doesn’t seem very friendly at all. We encounter our own “Alexander.” Instead of helping, they hurt. Instead of attracting, they distract. Instead of embracing, they judge and shun. Instead of uniting, they divide.

Our verse today is found in a chapter of contrasts. We find Paul fighting the fight, staying with the Lord until the end. We see the wonderful example of preaching the word, in season and out of season. But among these great principles, we also find:

• Demas deserted me (4:10)
• Some will turn aside to myths (4:4)
• Alexander hurt me (4:14)
• No one supported me (4:16)

All of this is shocking to us. Christians ought to do better. Christians know better. This undermines the good that is being done. It’s a set back. A year of sermons can be destroyed by the bad actions of just a few. It leaves a sour taste in people’s mouths and it is very discouraging. The Alexanders’ that roam freely throughout a congregation kill the atmosphere of love and godliness. One never knows when they will say something offensive or do something that hurts someone else.

We are not told specifically what Alexander did to Paul. It must have been significant. The apostle is warning Timothy about him. Watch him. Keep your eyes open. Paul was not intending for Timothy to settle the score. He was not wanting Timothy to cut the legs out from under Alexander. Timothy was not to fight Paul’s battles. Paul was leaving the fate of Alexander to the hands of the Lord. The Lord will take care of him. Justice and righteousness will prevail. He was wanting Timothy to beware of Alexander. There is a snake loose.

When Christians have acted “unchristian,” we want to know why. We want them to not only stop, but often, we feel that something should be done. A lesson needs to be learned. They must apologize. They must make things right. But too often nothing is done. People look the other way and say, “that’s just the way they are.” With that, it is assumed and expected that everyone just accepts their rude, offensive and hurtful ways. It’s frightful to see new people come into the congregation, because sooner or later, they will encounter the raw side of our own “Alexander.” It tarnishes a congregation. It stains the reputation. Word gets out. People know. People stay clear. Alexanders are nothing more than spiritual bullies who do not understand the ways of Christ.

But here are some things that we must remember.

We are not to be vindictive. There is an old saying, “When you throw mud, you lose ground.” Treating them the same certainly feels good, but it’s not the right thing to do. Love your enemies. Pray for those that persecute. Turn your cheek. Those are not just nice expressions that are to be cross-stitched and hung on a bedroom wall. Those are the principles we believe and walk by. When others don’t, we still must.

God has a plan what to do. When someone has sinned against another, they are to be approached and the matter discussed. If they listen, change, you have won your brother. At that point you need to forgive and drop the matter. It’s over. If he won’t change, take two or three with you. If he won’t listen, then take it to the church. God has built into the church a form of accountability and discipline to protect and to keep trouble from taking over. One might ask, “Why didn’t Paul use Matthew 18, where these principles are found?” I think he did. He was now warning Timothy about Alexander. If Paul confronted Peter to his face, in Galatians 2, and if Paul stood up to the false claims that some of the Corinthians were making about his right to be an apostle and his ability to preach, I well assume that Paul has talked with Alexander. The troublesome Alexander didn’t change. Paul was now warning the next preacher, Timothy about him. I sometimes wish preachers did that today. A preacher moves. The next preacher calls and asks about the congregation and the report is all glowing. Great place. Great people. Everyone gets along perfectly. Nothing said about an Alexander. Nothing is said that the former preacher left because of Alexander. A few months in and the new preacher finds out that this isn’t Camelot and he wonders why the last preacher never said anything. Paul was trying to help Timothy. Alexander was trouble. Alexander wouldn’t change.

Because you have been hurt by Alexander, does not give you the right to hurt others. It’s the old story of someone who is mad at the dog, so he kicks the cat. You have a bad day at work and you take it out on the people at home. What Alexander was doing was wrong. He was going to get it by the Lord. That doesn’t give us the green light to be selfish, indifferent or rude. Don’t become what you hate in others.

Also, do not judge the whole by the behavior of just a few. Paul wasn’t down on the whole church. He didn’t claim that everyone was hurting him. It was Alexander. Too often, the bullies in the church scare the rest. They are afraid of saying anything. Even an eldership can be intimidated by a few bullies. They get away with spiritual murder. They do what they want. No one dares challenge them. They are seen as the big guns in a little town. Truth be known, they are not impressing others. Most would rather that they just leave if they won’t change. So, be careful of lumping everyone in together.

Never forget that Jesus has never let you down. You serve the Lord. We work together as a church, but it’s the Lord that we follow. Jesus has never hurt you. Jesus has never deserted you. Jesus has always been good to you. We follow the Lord. The twisted version of an Alexander misses the joy and beauty of a walk with Jesus. Don’t let an Alexander keep you from Heaven. Don’t let someone force you to do what you do not believe.

In a perfect world, there would be no Alexanders. But things are not perfect down here. Someday, it will be in Heaven. And guess what, unless there are some changes, Alexander and his kind, won’t make it.

Have you been hurt by another Christian? Tend to your wounds. Get back on your feet. Keep walking with the Lord. Don’t let someone else stop you. I must say personally, in all my years of preaching, the harshest, meanest and most hurtful things that have been said or done to me has come from Christians. Had I let them have their way, I would have quit long ago. Had I allowed myself to be bullied, I probably would have thrown in the towel and returned to the world. I have scars. I have stories. I have had tears. I have had long talks with the Lord. Paul’s example here and the Lord’s example at the cross have encouraged me and kept me going. I wish I could tell you that Alexander no longer exists. But he does. He is alive and well in too many places. We must soldier on with the Lord.

Alexander did me much harm…that is true. But what is also true, the Lord did me much good! Now, which are you going to dwell upon? Now which are you going to focus upon? You may have to move away from an Alexander, especially if the church continues to allow him to have free run and to continue on with his injurious ways. Find another congregation. Move. But don’t leave the Lord. Don’t let Alexander defeat you.

Roger