Bearing With One Another In Love

Sometimes we find ourselves at odds with other believers in Jesus Christ.  We would like to think that would never happen to us, but unfortunately these disputes do occur.  Sometimes this causes division amongst fellow believers and that is never good.  The devil is running around stirring up trouble because he knows his time is running really short.   The devil loves it when believers fight with each other. 

Disagreements come to the best of people.  There will be times when we rub someone the wrong way or vice versa.  When disputes get really bad within a congregation it can hurt our witness for the Lord and that is never a good thing. 

We must remember the magnitude of love that the Lord Jesus has for us and the outstanding grace He has shown us.  We also need to show grace and mercy to those around us as well and that includes in the church.  The Lord Jesus died for our sins and He forgives us when we place our faith in Him and His finished work on the Cross.  We too ought to be quick to forgive those who wrong us and we should be quick to ask for forgiveness of others when we make a mess of things.

Sometimes it isn't easy to forgive those who hurt us badly, but we must and we must release them to the Lord.  When we forgive someone we are not saying what they did what right, but we are surrendering our right to revenge and giving them to the Lord who is better at dealing with the person than we are. 

The Lord doesn't want us to be at odds with one another.  We must remain calm and gentle even though sometimes that is no easy task by any stretch of the imagination.  We must remember also to be true to God's Holy Word and be led by the Holy Spirit.  We must love each other as Christ so greatly loves us and He demonstrated that love at the Cross. 

I am reminded of what the Apostle Paul says in the book of Ephesians 4:1-7,

"As a prisoner for the Lord,
then, I urge you to live a life
worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and
gentle;  be patient,  bearing with
another in love.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one
Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father over all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given
as Christ apportioned it."

The Lord wants us to love Him with all of our heart, mind, body, and soul and He also tells us to love others as we love ourselves.  It is by the love that we believers have for each other that the world will know that we truly are His disciples.

What message is the Church sending to our world today?

I would hope it is a message of Truth and Hope and Love that is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  We, the church, need to be in the business of proclaiming the Gospel truth and furthering the Kingdom of God.  The Lord wants us to tell people about Jesus Christ and He wants people to grow in a relationship with Himself.  

Lord,

We praise Your Name.

Help us to love each other.

Help us to love You more and Your Word as well.

Lead us and guide us by Your Holy Spirit into all truth.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.