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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