Is There Discord In Your Church?
Is there discord in your church? If so, how much do you personally contribute to it?
If your answer is “Not at all,” would you change your response if I asked:
- Are you quick to judge your fellow believers?
- Do you sometimes fail to give them the benefit of the doubt?
This week, I want us to consider how we love one another – or more precisely, how we sometimes fall short in our love for each other.
In his 1881 sermon “Love’s Labours,”Pastor C. H. Spurgeonsaid, “In reference, first, to our fellow Christians, love always believes the best of them. I wish we had more of this faith abroad in all the churches, for a horrid blight falls upon some communities through suspicion and mistrust.”
Spurgeon’s words are sobering. And quite embarrassing. The world notices how we turn on each other within the church. Our witness suffers when we judge and spread rumors about each fellow believers. Even more serious, God sees our unkind actions and mourns our shameful behavior.
What if, as a church, we repented of our attitudes and actions toward one another? What if this week, we asked God to examine our hearts and reveal where we have fallen short?
The more we choose to believe the best of every believer, the more we’ll …
- experience a spirit of unity
- accurately resemble the body of Christ
- and genuinely reflect His love.
We can start this transformation by paying attention to the verse Pastor Spurgeon referenced in his statement. I especially love 1 Corinthians 13:7 in the Amplified Classic edition.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
God’s grace is essential in the lives of all believers. We’re all sinners saved by grace.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
When we see ourselves as sinners saved by God’s incredible grace, maybe we’ll stop judging others and aim to be “ever ready to believe the best of every person.” Then perhaps we can more easily endure “everything without weakening.”
Instead of backbiting, we can humbly pray for our brothers and sisters and always remember, “There, but by the grace of God, go I.”
Speaking for myself, if it wasn’t for God’s grace, I’d be a goner.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
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The moment I enter the doors of my church, as a sinner, it’s not a perfect place and never will be, so instead of looking in judgement at anyone else in the church, I ask the Lord to make changes in my own heart! That first verse in Corinthians is on a heart necklace that’s friend gave to me with those very words written on it. Every time I wear it, I remember that only the Lord can make changes in me, and that’s where we all need to begin! “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. “Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13. Thanks Sheryl!
Amen! Great verses, Kim.
We all have sinned and need God’s grace and mercy!
Thank you for stopping by Today Can Be Different again, Kim. It means a lot!
We’re all sinners saved by grace. Speaking for myself, if it wasn’t for God’s grace, I’d be a goner.
Amen, we are all working towards the same goal, serving the same God and Christ.
Hi, Dave. Let’s pray that more and more people will come to know the one true God, the Maker of heaven and earth, who loved us so much that “while we were still sinners, He died for us” (Romans 5:8) and rose from the dead!
#AmazingGrace. #Amazing Love. #Amazing God!!
It’s always nice seeing you, Dave! Thank you for stopping by again.
Another wonderful post.
Because I’m married to an unbeliever living in Greece, I belong to a wonderful multi national Greek Evangelical Bible Church, I watch the sermon at home. My husband and I go out for late morning coffee so in the comfort of my home, I watch the service in the afternoon. I’m privileged to have this Church so I can’t say that I fall into the category you’ve written about
Keep me in your prayers that I’ll continue to be a light and that my husband will become a believer.
Hi, Sandra. I’m SO glad to see you again.
I will keep you and your husband in my prayers.
Don’t give up, Sandra. You have often inspired me with your comments about how God has transformed your marriage! I assure you that He has only just begun the work He continues to do in you … AND your beloved husband.