The church is the body of Christ. The kingdom of God. Made to be “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). It is to be united. Stand as one. A family. One body. Strong. All to the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the truth. Jesus prayed that the church, His disciples would be united as one so that the world would know that the Father had sent Him and loves the world (John 17:20-23). The church is to be rejoicing and worshiping God with one mouth and one heart. Christians are to be working together in the work of the gospel. Laboring together side by side in the same faith, hope, and love. The church is to stand for truth and remain strong till the end of time.
But too often within the church there is unrest. There is strife. Tension. Contention. Fighting. Bickering. Complaining. Division. Bitterness. Unwillingness to forgive. Because of this, we need to take serious thought to what Jesus said in Matthew 12:25, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”
How can we stand as the pillar and ground for truth when we’re too busy arguing? I’m not talking about doctrinal issues. I’m talking about the personal issues and opinions that are hurting the church today and hindering progress. How can we be the kingdom of God and the family of God when there’s bitterness? Too often brethren are arguing about something and end up leaving because they can’t agree or don’t get their way. We have to stop all the nonsense going on in the church today. It’s wearisome. How can we be joyful and focused on Heaven when we’re distracted by negative attitudes and anger, envy and discontent?
We have to learn how to be at peace with one another. We are to seek peace and unity. Love and forgiveness. Patience and compassion. We need to get over ourselves and put God first. Then put others before ourselves. Stop being selfish. Stop being prideful. Humble yourself. Love and serve others. Give preference to one another. When problems and differences arise, don’t run away to another group. Stay where you’re at and work it out. There is nothing that can’t be worked out when we do it God’s way. Stay united. Stay as one. Stay strong. Stay humble. Love one another as God so loved us.
Ask yourself, “Is the work of the church being helped or hindered by my attitude or actions”? Don’t be part of the reason the church is suffering. Be part of the reason the church is being built up and growing. Do it God’s way. God’s way works.
A Cord of Blue 