Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Let's build Christ's church!

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, fogiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  Ephesians 4:29-32

   Won't it be a glorious day when the church obeys this word?  How often do you read slanderous comments online about a video or an article a Christian has posted about God and another Christian rips them apart and says that they're wrong?  Even if the first guy was wrong the second guy is now wrong becuase he has allowed bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander and malice in.

    It saddens me that there is such a war between denominations.  There is even hate between brothers and sisters in Christ.  How is the world going to know us by our love when we can't even love our blood-bought family?  We grieve the Holy Spirit when we tear down someone we may not agree with.  We open a door to let Satan in.  I believe a lot of sickness is due to unforgiveness.  When we hold on to bitterness we are not allowing the Sprit of God to inhabit every area of us, therefore, we aren't living in freedom, in joy and peace and health. "Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil, this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones" (Proverbs 3:7-8).

 The devourer has infiltrated.  He's seperated the church and he's trying to turn us against each other.  He can try all he wants, we know that the unity will be restored before Christ comes back, He's not going to come back to a broken and divided to church, He's going to return for his beautiful bride! So next time you don't agree with someone check yourself, address issues in love and peace, follow the steps on how to confront problems that are listed in Matthew 18:15-20.

   I know I've been guilty of slandering other churches and I am resolving that I will no longer take part in it.  I am no longer "like a Gentile walking in the futility of my mind" as Paul talks about earlier in the verse but I am a new creature! Only edifying words will flow out of me, words that build up the world-wide church instead of tear it down.

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