I love and pray for everyone who reads this, that you may endure the race set before you. I pray through grace you are strengthened to love one another in the fullness that Christ has loved us. That you will truly find those that sharpen you, as iron sharpens iron. That Joy and peace abound in your life and strengthen your mind, soul, and spirit. Therefore you may truly live out the two great commandments given to us by our saviour! Amen.
I have grown up in the church, and with believers, and still am today in fellowship with many in Christ. Something that I have seen is arguments, quarrels, divisions among God’s people that last and never get settled. It breaks my heart, and I can’t help but wonder is this the family God wants? Is this inevitable between believers? Does it always have to be this way? I don’t believe so, we have been given instructions on how we are supposed be as a body, as a family. What I see does not align with God’s word. I would like to share what He says in His Word in hopes that He will have the family He longs for.
- My first point I will make is this. You are made unique there is no one like you, meaning there will be differences between you and someone else. Those differences aren’t bad! God gave us different roles and gifts to use. We see this in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 if you want the reference. It’s true together we make up the body yet we are different, and at the same time meant to be unified! The hand has its job and the foot has its own. Different tasks, same body. You shouldn’t expect the foot or hand to work if you cut them off from the body, do you? Each member is different, but necessary.
- Most divisions come from disagreements or quarrels. It may be that someone is sinning in your group. If so, Matthew 18:15-19 tells us how to deal with that. If someone sins and boasts while claiming to be believer, then we should depart from their company (1 Corinthians 5:11). Although that is not the problems I see most with in the family. It is over many things, including the Bible and beliefs over them. I think if that’s the case one is wrong, or maybe even both are in the argument! The Bible doesn’t settle for gray areas or luke warm ways. At the moment though that is besides the point. I’m just saying, though there may be disagreements confront the person. Don’t slander them! There may not be an agreement at the end, but there can still be unity in the fact we have same goal, the same Father, the same inheritance. “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23) So if there is problems approach each other and talk about it. Do it with love though; harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
- My final point is Love. Romans 5:10 says “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” That basically means if God sent His son to die for us and save us when we were unclean, how much more will he save us now that we are! That is awesome! In the same way though, if we are supposed to bless those who curse us and love our enemies, than how much more are we supposed to love our brothers and sisters in Christ? John 13:34-35 says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Basically Jesus tells us people will know we are His disciples by our love for each other. So tell me, does your relationship with all your brothers and sisters in Christ show others you are His disciple? Think about it. I encourage you to also read 1 John 4:7-21 as well. Verse 21 specifically says “And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” We have been commanded to love one another, it is not a suggestion. In the end of our lives here we will be asked if we learned to love? What makes us think we have learned to everyone or anyone, if we can’t love our own brothers and sisters in Christ? Let’s learn to love each other as a family, talk to each other let no quarrels or disagreements hinder Love.
I just pray that we all learn to love each other, and live to be the family our Father desires.
Ephesians 4:3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Fire of JESUS 