CHURCH TROUBLES.
Ephesians 4:31–32 says, get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Church troubles and splits often have more to do with bad attitudes than bad doctrines. E.g. Proud, stubborn members need to hear again the Lord’s call to make “every effort” for unity and peace. Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” John 17:23, Jesus says, I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Colossians 3:12–14, Says, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
When personalities clash, be the first to humble yourself. Apologize for your part in the conflict. Take the initiative to build bridges of reconciliation.
What if someone seriously hurts or wrongs you? Be kind, even to enemies. Matthew 5:44 –48, but I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Love seeks and finds ways to help. Love, by its nature, gives generously. John 3 : 16 says, for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Love gives in every way: it gives time and attention. It gives material things and hospitality. Jesus and all the prophets emphasized justice and helping the poor. Jesus said to a rich ruler sell everything you have and give to the poor. Luke 18:22 says, when Jesus heard this, He said to him, you still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
Whether you have much or little, you can and should be generous. 2nd Corinthians 8:12, For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7–8, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Reflection Questions.
Ephesians 4:31–32 says, get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Church troubles and splits often have more to do with bad attitudes than bad doctrines. E.g. Proud, stubborn members need to hear again the Lord’s call to make “every effort” for unity and peace. Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” John 17:23, Jesus says, I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Colossians 3:12–14, Says, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
When personalities clash, be the first to humble yourself. Apologize for your part in the conflict. Take the initiative to build bridges of reconciliation.
What if someone seriously hurts or wrongs you? Be kind, even to enemies. Matthew 5:44 –48, but I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Love seeks and finds ways to help. Love, by its nature, gives generously. John 3 : 16 says, for God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Love gives in every way: it gives time and attention. It gives material things and hospitality. Jesus and all the prophets emphasized justice and helping the poor. Jesus said to a rich ruler sell everything you have and give to the poor. Luke 18:22 says, when Jesus heard this, He said to him, you still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
Whether you have much or little, you can and should be generous. 2nd Corinthians 8:12, For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7–8, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Reflection Questions.
- What are the two greatest commandments of all? Mark 12:30–31. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
- What was Paul’s solution to problems among Christians? 1st Corinthians 10:24, Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1st Corinthians 13:4–5, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
- What is Christ’s condition for us to receive eternal life? Matthew 10:37-39, says, anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. John 12:25 says, the man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Revelation 2:10 says, do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.