"Let us, therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food."
-Romans 14:19,20-
I think the church would look a lot differently if this is how we truly lived as Christians. If we really tried to build up and sharpen one another. If we rebuked our brothers and sisters when they were wrong, but also, if we allowed ourselves to be rebuked.
I think that's a major hold up in seeing this kind of life exist.
Pride.
I think we are so quick to point out the mistakes in other people's lives, but like Jesus said in Matthew 7:3,
"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
Our pride gets in the way.
Our pride that says, we did right in that situation, even if deep down we know we didn't.
Our pride that always needs to be right.
So we argue until we feel like we've validated ourselves. But when do we ever convince someone through arguing? Their pride is just as defensive as our own, so what starts as a minor argument turns into a major one. People start taking sides in the major argument and since no one likes to be on the losing side, one side decides it's better to split apart than to reconcile. Is this how Christ wanted us to operate?
Will we ever be able to move past our own pride?
Can we learn to submit to one another for the sake of love, and for the sake of unity?
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food"
Usually the things we argue about in the church are such minor details in the grand scheme of things. What if we plugged some different words in for food?
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of contemporary worship
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of infant baptism
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of communion with wine
Let us continue to seek out the will of God in all things, but let us also understand that everyone won't always be on the same page about things. But that's ok. Let us continue to encourage one another and have peace. Let us not live in our pride, but in the name of Love.
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2 comments:
Imagine how exciting this world would be if the church functioned as it should.
Living out a life of love and humility is a part of God's Kingdom that should very present here on earth. Unfortunately that's not usually the case.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with striving for God's Kingdom here. I believe that it's encouraged.
[i have coffee and a muffin. thought you would appreciate this as much as i do.]
Amen brother. God has really given you a heart for this issue. I hope I can learn some about this from you in the coming year.
Keep fighting for faith, hope, and love bro!
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