But if ye bite and devour one
another, take heed that ye be
not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:15
I love the Lord and I love His church...
another, take heed that ye be
not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:15
I love the Lord and I love His church...
The Bible instructs us to love both God and His family. "Finally, be 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 Peter 3:8-9).
Yet it has sadly been said that oftentimes the "church" is the place where we shoot our wounded rather than be what I think the church should be, which is, a "Holy Spirit Hospital." For it is among Christians and the church where men and women are healed in body, soul and spirit from the dreadful effects of sin. The church, therefore, should be a place where those who've truly repented of their sins and where those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can receive love, encouragement, hope, as well as spiritual nourishment from the holy Scriptures. Likewise, the church should be a place where its members are encouraged to grow in the grace and knowledge of God.
This is the ideal mark, of course. However, I must confess that we don't always see these good things happening in the ranks of the Lord's children. Tragically, we instead observe brethren gossiping, bad-mouthing and fighting one another, and all to Satan's delight, I'm sure.
Recently, my heart has been broken because a few of my dear friends have begun to lock horns and lash out against each other with bitter accusations. And it's all about nonsense, too. To me, it appears to be nothing more than pride and unforgiveness between two parties. And, I must say, none of this has any place among the family of God. In fact, the Lord Jesus said that a house divided will not stand (Matthew 12:25*).
Unfortunately, and it breaks my heart to say this, at times the church is just like this. We're exactly as Jesus said we should not be - a house divided. For among us there is division, strife, and all manner of foolishness. And the results are hurt feelings, broken friendships, discouragement, and a loss of unity and the power that unity brings. In addition, a divided church with battling brethren opens the door for the devil and his demons to enter in and ruin lives, separate friends, and hinder the work of the church.
Thus, at this time, I am experiencing inner pain and anguish over what is going on with some men I know personally. I am certainly disappointed to see those who claim to know the Bible and say they are teachers and evangelists, yet they're acting like spiteful and immature middle school teenagers.
It shouldn't be this way, and it doesn't have to. Jesus Christ, who is the "Head" of the church, has given us everything we need to walk in love and humility, and in spiritual victory, too. We can have the "fruits of the Spirit" which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Thankfully, as Christians, we can bow our hearts before the Lord and ask His forgiveness. For all of us fall short of God's glory, myself included. And we can ask Jesus to help us to learn to love one another and get along. The Lord, I'm certain, will teach us how to turn the other cheek and how to truly extend forgiveness. The Bible makes it clear that this is what Christ expects of us.
Surely the Savior's heart is grieved when He sees the members of His royal family at war with each other. May the Lord therefore have mercy upon us because our brothers and sisters are NOT our enemies.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the church in the ancient city of Galatia, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:25-26). The Bible also says that God hates those who sow discord among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Nevertheless, I and many of my friends are praying for peace, love and unity to rule. For if we do not have love for our brothers and sisters, then we have nothing. Furthermore, God has not called us to bite and devour fellow believers as if we're cannibals. Rather, we should be praying one for another, uplifting, and even (when necessary) admonishing one another in love.
May the Lord Jesus forgive our stubborn pride and change hearts to become like His heart. Amen.
D.B.
*The Scripture I quoted in this entry (Matthew 12:25) is also repeated in two other gospels (Mark 3:24-25 & Luke 11:17), thus emphasizing the importance Jesus attached to the danger and tragedy of a house divided.
Yet it has sadly been said that oftentimes the "church" is the place where we shoot our wounded rather than be what I think the church should be, which is, a "Holy Spirit Hospital." For it is among Christians and the church where men and women are healed in body, soul and spirit from the dreadful effects of sin. The church, therefore, should be a place where those who've truly repented of their sins and where those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can receive love, encouragement, hope, as well as spiritual nourishment from the holy Scriptures. Likewise, the church should be a place where its members are encouraged to grow in the grace and knowledge of God.
This is the ideal mark, of course. However, I must confess that we don't always see these good things happening in the ranks of the Lord's children. Tragically, we instead observe brethren gossiping, bad-mouthing and fighting one another, and all to Satan's delight, I'm sure.
Recently, my heart has been broken because a few of my dear friends have begun to lock horns and lash out against each other with bitter accusations. And it's all about nonsense, too. To me, it appears to be nothing more than pride and unforgiveness between two parties. And, I must say, none of this has any place among the family of God. In fact, the Lord Jesus said that a house divided will not stand (Matthew 12:25*).
Unfortunately, and it breaks my heart to say this, at times the church is just like this. We're exactly as Jesus said we should not be - a house divided. For among us there is division, strife, and all manner of foolishness. And the results are hurt feelings, broken friendships, discouragement, and a loss of unity and the power that unity brings. In addition, a divided church with battling brethren opens the door for the devil and his demons to enter in and ruin lives, separate friends, and hinder the work of the church.
Thus, at this time, I am experiencing inner pain and anguish over what is going on with some men I know personally. I am certainly disappointed to see those who claim to know the Bible and say they are teachers and evangelists, yet they're acting like spiteful and immature middle school teenagers.
It shouldn't be this way, and it doesn't have to. Jesus Christ, who is the "Head" of the church, has given us everything we need to walk in love and humility, and in spiritual victory, too. We can have the "fruits of the Spirit" which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Thankfully, as Christians, we can bow our hearts before the Lord and ask His forgiveness. For all of us fall short of God's glory, myself included. And we can ask Jesus to help us to learn to love one another and get along. The Lord, I'm certain, will teach us how to turn the other cheek and how to truly extend forgiveness. The Bible makes it clear that this is what Christ expects of us.
Surely the Savior's heart is grieved when He sees the members of His royal family at war with each other. May the Lord therefore have mercy upon us because our brothers and sisters are NOT our enemies.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the church in the ancient city of Galatia, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:25-26). The Bible also says that God hates those who sow discord among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Nevertheless, I and many of my friends are praying for peace, love and unity to rule. For if we do not have love for our brothers and sisters, then we have nothing. Furthermore, God has not called us to bite and devour fellow believers as if we're cannibals. Rather, we should be praying one for another, uplifting, and even (when necessary) admonishing one another in love.
May the Lord Jesus forgive our stubborn pride and change hearts to become like His heart. Amen.
D.B.
*The Scripture I quoted in this entry (Matthew 12:25) is also repeated in two other gospels (Mark 3:24-25 & Luke 11:17), thus emphasizing the importance Jesus attached to the danger and tragedy of a house divided.
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