A loved people should be a loving people I John.4:11
Introduction
In a questionnaire completed by preachers in Canada in the early 1990’s on “The Preacher and Stress”, brother Walter Hart mentioned that a significant stress preacher’s experienced was in getting along with a co-worker like another preacher. That may seem like a surprise but really all of us in the church struggle in our relationships with one another. At times it’s difficult to get along with each other the way God expects us to.
Concerns within the Early Church
“And there arose such a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas that they separated from one another…” (Acts 15:39)
“For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.” (I Corinthians.1:11) “For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:21) “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:2) “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?” (James 4:1)
Concerns in the Church Today
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had no concerns in the church today? There would no bickering or heated arguments, no friction or tension, just the oneness Christ enjoyed with His heavenly Father (John 17). Imagine for a moment what that would be like. Non-believers attending worship services would see Christ lifted up in our lives and would be drawn to Him.
Taking a Close Look at the Problem
From the time the church began in Acts 2 until now, this never ending battle between the human side and spiritual side of every Christian has existed. Unfortunately our tendency to think and act as non-believers was not washed away at our baptism. We’ve had to learn to act like children of God from the day we were born into God’s family. That involved personal and congregational Bible study and by observing God’s love at work in mature brethren in the brotherhood.
It’s very discouraging when brethren demonstrate little interest in becoming mature. Spiritual immaturity in particular is harmful as it leads to poor and often unbiblical decisions. And it will always be a hindrance to any congregation trying to grow up into the image of Christ and to love one another.
Love One Another as I Have Loved You
In John 13:34-35 Jesus told His disciples that all men would know that they were His disciples if they loved one another as He has loved them. What’s interesting about this statement is when it was given. Jesus said these words right after Judas had left the room to betray Him and just before He told Peter that he would deny Him in the near future. Is this a coincidence? I don’t think so! It’s the way God’s love always works – it’s an unbelievable, wonderful, amazing, and unconditional kind of love! Now here’s the thing, if every member of the church expressed that same love to each other, then non-members who came in contact with the church, would be drawn to Christ and His church.
It would not guarantee that they will become Christians but at least God would have their attention. And if the condition of their heart is right I believe they will become a Christian. Do you really believe that it is imperative and affective today, to love like Jesus? Jesus said that if He was lifted up (God’s demonstration of love) that He would draw all men to Himself (John12:32). Therefore the church must, at all times, lift up their Saviour. Jesus must be seen in order to be believed – seen in His word and seen in His church!!
Practical Ways to Lift Up Christ’s Love in the Church
- Surrender to God’s will – Christ’s love has you surrounded!!
- Listen to God – The spiritual side within your heart is speaking, in other words Christ is telling you what you ought to do in all situations in your Christian life. Don’t listen to that human voice of your past, listen to Jesus!
- Submit to God – Once you’re aware of what Christ wants you to do then you must submit to His will regardless. Remember that God never requests anything of us that is only in His best interest but ours as well.
- Sacrifice yourself for the sake of others – To know about Jesus, read the Gospels, to know Jesus, sacrifice yourself for those who mistreat, ridicule and persecute you. Be willing to forgive them! See their needs over your own (Matthew7:18-23).
- So far as it depends on you – Don’t wait on someone else to love you as Christ does, love them first!! (Romans 12:17-18) Initiate relationships you want from others. If you want to be loved then love others! Be at peace with your brethren!
- Envision the benefit – Read John13:34-35 and envision everyone in your local congregation loving like Christ. Think of the glory that would bring God and the benefit that would come to the church and yourself if such occurred.
- Strive to love one another – Every Sunday sit with a new member of your congregation. Don’t sit in the same pew because you don’t own it!! Whether they’re old or young, black or blue or maybe just like you – sit with them!! They are your spiritual family. Show a genuine interest in all of them!
- Challenge yourself – After much prayer look for opportunities where you can connect with brethren that you’ve often avoided because they’re so difficult to get along with. When those opportunities arise, take them! Like the world there are some brethren who don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care. So let Christ’s love within you show them how much you care and how much you value them. However, that love must be unconditional like Christ’s. Otherwise you may be disappointed if your love is rejected.
- Pray for all your brethren – It’s difficult to pray for someone and with someone that you dislike immensely. But we all know what Christ would do if He was in control of our situation, don’t we? He’d wash their feet just like He did with His disciples even when He knew that two of them would soon betray and deny Him.
- Praise your brethren publicly and privately – We all need to know that we are appreciated and loved. Public acknowledgment and personal phone calls, emails and letters build up Christ’s love in the church. They also break down any existing walls between brethren. When you see an opportunity to praise someone that you don’t get along with, don’t hesitate to take that opportunity! It may very well be a God-send and the rewards will be out of this world!!
- Thank God for all your brethren – Let God and your brethren know how grateful you are for all of them. The apostle Paul often did this (II Thessalonians1:3).
Conclusion: It is one thing to build a loving atmosphere within the church but it’s another thing to maintain it. The only one who can help us do this is Christ, if we allow Him to be in control of our lives (II Corinthians 5:14; Galatians 2:20). Also, we are told not to quench the Holy Spirit from producing God’s fruit of love when the season for fruit bearing comes upon us (I Thessalonians 5:19). Whenever you are having difficulty loving another, take a few moments to read I John 4:7-21. It’s one of the best scriptures to encourage you to build and maintain a loving atmosphere within the church.
Owen Sound, ON