Commitment to God

Faithfulness to God is a great blessing and He is always happy over those who stay faithful to Him. Yet, some have not understood clearly when God said that it is required that we be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2). Being faithful is not optional and yet, I have seen some who do not trust God. Perhaps someone can tell me why a Christian, in their old age, say, “I cannot get out for worship” but yet, that same person can stand on their feet for an hour while they grocery shop? Perhaps, one can tell me why some feel so shy to talk about the Bible, but they have no problem speaking to people they don’t know about every other subject? Perhaps, one can tell me why some seem so troubled with their faith but do nothing about it? Perhaps, one can tell me where people’s commitment to God has gone?

Consider further, there are Christians who do not seem to be bound to anything on this earth. You could take away their house, bank account, job or business–‐everything but the clothes on their back and yet still they would love God with all their heart. However, does this mean they are faithful? Doesn’t the Scriptures state that you can give your body to be burned at the stake as a testimony, but without the proper motive, without love in your heart for God, you will die in vain (1 Cor. 13:3)? Why is it that people look at faithfulness as just overcoming lust and sinful habits, or just reading our Bible and church attendance, or just keeping thyself pure from all evil and wickedness? These things can never make us faithful to God because they do not produce faith.

Consider the fact that faithfulness to God is impossible unless it springs from a trusting, believing heart. Simply put, if we trust God, we will be faithful. If we do not trust God, we have lost it all. We are told in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing the Word of God because the one hearing the word of God believed what God has said. And, as one ages in life, the older we get, we sIll have no excuse to stop trusting God. It’s like evangelism, if you can go anywhere, then you can speak to people about the Bible. If you cannot get out of your bed, then you can call people on the phone. Like in the church, if we are falling short, we got to get out and shake the bushes. This is committing oneself to God. This is every member realizing that they are part of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:4‐5).

You know, anyone can make a good start. But, the real test is finishing well (Jam. 1:12). Thus, staying faithful demands being committed to God. Those who stay committed to God help the local church stay strong and growing in Christ. When we stay committed to the Lord other Christians gain a true brother or sister (Col. 4:9). If we will stay committed to the Lord then our community is going to have a powerful Christian influence (Matt. 5:13). This is why we are encouraged in Rev. 2:10 to be faithful unto death.

Being committed to God is stating that you live by faith just as Paul did, when he finished his Christian life, strong. So, if you are discouraged with your Christian faith, don’t give up on God. Enter through the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13-14). It takes commitment to do what is right. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering (Heb. 10:23‐25). Stay close to God and his people. Examine things carefully that are around you (1 Thess. 5:21‐22). Stay committed to God.

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What is Personal Work?

What is Personal Work?

1.      It is discussing the truth with a friend or neighbors either at your home of their home.

2.      It is giving someone you know a gospel tract.

3.      It is telling your neighbor about the happiness you have found in Christ.

4.      It is inviting the mailman, the plumber or someone else to attend services with you

5.      It is picking up your phone to inquire about some member that has not been in services for awhile.

6.      It is setting up a regular Bible study in your home.

7.      It is going from house to house inviting everyone to worship.

8.      It is diligence in inviting friends to Gospel Meetings, etc.

9.      It is feeling the need to help the lost understand their need of Christ.

10. It is using your automobile to bring friends to services of the church.

11.    It is consciously serving and glorifying God.

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Edification

One of the responsibilities of the Church is edification.  The meaning of edification is to build up.  In the context of the Church, edification involves: constructive speech and behavior by Christian disciples and leaders to spiritually strengthen the Church and those whom they interact with outside of the Church.

Romans 14:17-19 – “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

Edifying speech is not limited to “happy talk”.  While sharing the positive concepts of love, peace, purity, and eternal life uplift the hearer, they cannot stand without sharing the truth about sin, repentance, judgment and eternal destruction.  If a faulty foundation has been set, then that foundation must be torn down to erect a truly stable building.  Paul expressed that he shared the whole counsel of God to the Ephesians (Acts 20:27).  He also stated that what he taught he did so in every church everywhere (I Cor. 4:17).  The truth spoken in love enables edification (Eph. 4:15).  This type of speech encompasses everything from daily pleasantries to correction of sinfulness (I Thess. 5:14).  It certainly does not involve false accusation, name calling, cursing, gossip, lying, or double talk (Eph. 4:29).

Edifying behavior starts with a mind striving toward purity (Phil. 4:8).  When a congregation assembles, the behaviors they engage in should build up those gathered (I Cor. 14:23).  Their behaviors should be authorized in the Words and Deeds of Christ (Col. 3:17, I Peter 2:21-24).  When Jesus’ life is examined, it is found that all He said and all He did were what the Father commanded (John 5:30, John 12:49-50).  Christian behavior should be grounded in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).  Their lives should not involve immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these (Gal. 5:19-21).

Edification is the responsibility of every Christian (Heb. 10:24).  This certainly involves sharing the gospel (Mark 16:15, 2 Tim. 2:24), caring for the fatherless and widows (James 1:27), comforting fellow Christians (I Thess. 4:13-18, 5:11), and meeting their physical needs (I Cor. 16:1-2, I John 3:17).  It should be observed that at times there is an overlap between benevolence and edification, but the result is a building up or strengthening from the actions undertaken.  Quite often edification is believed to be something Christians do for others (Eph. 5:19).  However, consider what the Christian does when he studies, listens to a taped sermon, or softly sings a hymn as he goes about his work.  That Christian edifies himself.  He strengthens himself in Christ and stirs up his mind by way of remembrance (2 Timothy 2:15, Col. 3:16, 2 Pet. 3:1).

The eldership sets the tone for edification in the Church.  They watch over and build up souls.  They do not ignore sin to achieve an appearance of unity or soundness.  If an eldership allows unauthorized practices or teaching in the Church, edification does not occur.  The kings of Israel are a good example of what happens when leadership fails to edify.  An eldership must be able to hold fast the Word that they may exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict sound doctrine (Titus 1:9).  A sound eldership listens when Christians are alarmed over possible sin in a congregation.  They do not get angry, attack, call names, make false accusation, or chase the Christian off when warned of sin under their leadership. Self willed, quick-tempered, and pugnacious elders do not demonstrate edifying behavior (Titus 1:7).  Edification starts at the top following the example of Jesus.  Elders edify the Church with proper speech and behavior so that God may be glorified.

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When a Christian Sins

What Happens When A Christian Sins?

A Christian is an individual who has wholly given himself or herself to God through Jesus Christ. A Christian is one who, believing in Jesus, has made the good confession, repented of past sins, and been washed in the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, by immersion into the watery grave of baptism, in order to receive the forgiveness of sins. A Christian is one who has had his or her sins forgiven and who, from that time forward, continues to “walk in the newness of life.” (Romans 6:4).

However, some teach that once a person has become a Christian it is impossible for them to commit sin. These teachers claim that a Christian can, in no way, transgress God’s law. When asked, “What happens when a Christian sins?” their answer usually comes across in this manner, “Well… a person claiming to be a Christian who then commits sin was never truly a Christian to begin with.” With that logic, how can one ever know that he or she is truly a Christian? Who can ever be spiritually secure with that line of thinking?

Friends, we can know assuredly that we are Christians – that we are saved if we “have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered” (Romans 6:17). What form or pattern of doctrine? The commandments of Christ (John 12:48) and the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), which includes the righteous works of faith (John 6:28-29; Acts 8:37), confession (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:10), repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19), and baptism (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 22:16).

Yet the question remains, “What does happen when a Christian sins?” We must first recognize that Christians do sin (1 John 1:8, 10). If Christians sin and sinners sin, what is the difference between the two? Observe the following comparisons: (1) Sinners are enslaved to sin; faithful Christians have been freed from sin. (2) Sinners are spiritually dead; faithful Christians are spiritually alive. (3) Sinners live a sinful lifestyle; faithful Christians live a lifestyle that does not include willful sin.

Sin is described as willful, when one has made a choice to sin. Willful sin can be a sin of omission, such as when one chooses not to attend worship services (Hebrews 10:25; James 4:17), or it can be a sin of commission, such as when one chooses to drink alcoholic beverages. When a Christian commits willful sin, he or she has become unfaithful. If a Christian continues to willfully live in sin and dies in that condition, he or she is worse off than the alien sinner (2 Peter 2:20). So then, the major difference between a sinner or unfaithful Christian and a faithful Christian is seen in the choices they make. One group makes lifestyle choices that are centered upon self and the other group makes lifestyle choices that are centered upon Christ. When a Christian willfully sins and refuses to repent, that person is lost.

“But what about when a Christian sins incidentally?” Sin is described as incidental when it is unplanned or not motivated by ungodly desire. Such as when one accidentally drops a brick on his toe and consequently uses foul or disgusting language. Perhaps in such a situation one did not intentionally plan to use improper or immoral language, but in the heat of the moment, it just happened. Another example of this type of incidental sin that Christians sometimes fall into is out of ignorance, such as when one is unsure if something is sinful or not – and does it anyway. “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23).

Is this incidental type of sin still fatal? Yes, if the Christians does not repent. Sin is what separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). God does not distinguish between levels and varieties of sin. Take note of Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Every kind of lie is condemned, even “little white lies.” To God, all sin is abomination. “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13). All sin carries the same punishment: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23)

But there is good news for those who have sinned. Coming into contact with the saving blood of Jesus Christ will purify and justify the transgressor in the eyes of God. For the non-Christian that contact is made by is faith, confession, repentance and baptism. For the unfaithful child of God, the blood of Jesus will cleanse him from sin once more, through repentance and confession that he or she has sinned and by fervent prayer. The faithful Christian who sins, because he or she is faithful, is one who by godly habit and spiritual exercise, constantly goes to God in prayer and supplication, in recognition their continuing need for God’s grace and their own “unprofitable-ness” (Luke 17:10).

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Love One Another

Love One Another

In the King James Translation, the term “one another” occurs 41 times. And most, not all, of these phrases are in the context of how Christians are to treat each other. And of the “one another” phrases which do not fall into that category, many of those fall into the “How Christians are not to treat each other” category. Those are just as important and today we are going to look at several passages from the word of God which deal with both. We are going to call these the “do’s” and the “not do’s”.

John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The love we have and show for one another is how we show the world that we are the disciples of Christ. So is it left to our discretion on how we are to love one another or are there some practical guidelines within the word of God on how we are to go about this? How do we show this love, do our brothers and sisters in Christ need to know we love them or can we just assume they know it and go on with our lives? How does our love for one another manifest itself in the way we treat one another? What do we do in order to show proper love? What do we not do if we want to show the proper love? What does the Lord say about this? This lesson is going to focus primarily on how we are to demonstrate our love for one another.

In Romans 12:9-18, Paul wrote”
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

From this passage we have several that we’ll put in the do category. Kindly, affectionate, giving preference to one another, generosity, blessings, rejoicing, patience, hospitable, steadfast prayer, rejoicing with the joyful and weeping with those in pain, peaceful living and a high regard for good things. These are all things a Christian must do in order to show that proper love for one another.

Paul also threw some “no do’s” in there as well. These are things we cannot do if we are to show the proper love for one another. We are NOT to lag in our diligence, we are not to curse those who persecute us, rather we are to bless them. We are not to focus our minds on high things which in this context means the differences between fortunate or less fortunate Christians, things like wealth, privilege, education, social grace, power, office, and position in the world. Not setting the mind on such things means not being influenced by them and not allowing them to be the basis of one’s attitude toward his brothers in Christ.

Another “Not do” is not to be wise in our own opinions. This immediate application here is that form of conceit which allows petty little human arrangements or opinions among the congregation to serve as the basis upon which some associations are made, and others neglected. In other words, we are not to allow matters of opinion to decide who or who we do not associate with in the body of Christ. There’s more on that as we work our way through Romans.

We “do not” repay evil for evil. Christianity is NOT an eye for an eye religion. We bless those who curse us, we love those who hate us. We DO NOT repay wrong with wrong. Imagine for just a moment where we would be today if Jesus Christ repaid wrong for wrong on the day of His crucifixion.

Moving on to Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
NKJV

Love is the fulfillment of the law of Christ. One is not showing proper love to one another when they engage in the worldly activities Paul mentioned. Love towards one another demands a level of personal behavior. One cannot claim to love someone with who’s spouse they pursue, or with someone we murder, or steal from. Perfect love toward one another manifests itself in personal behavior, self restraint, sacrifice and honesty in our dealings. These things go in the “not do” category if we want to show the proper love for one another.

Paul urged his readership not to be wise in their own opinions in the scripture we read earlier. Concerning doubtful disputations, or in other words, matters of opinion, Paul went on add some more on this to the “not do” category.

Romans 14:10-13
10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
NKJV

The Bible is very clear about what we do when a brother is living in transgression of God’s law. But for matters of personal opinion, we are forbidden to judge one another. If someone has a complaint about a brother or sister in Christ they better be able to produce scripture which demonstrates what the violation of God’s will is or they will be judged themselves. This is not a friendly suggestion, it is a command and part of the law of Christ. Everybody has an opinion, everybody has an ideal. We are supposed to be helping each other get to heaven, working as a single unified body. And Paul, an inspired apostle, wrote to Christians in the first century telling them not to judge others based on matters of personal opinion and to make a personal resolve not to put that stumbling block in front of them. Don’t wound them, don’t hurt them, don’t drive them away, don’t try to force our ideals on them. If our opinion is something that is going to put hardship on a brother or sister in Christ, then Paul says to keep them to ourselves. Loving one another means loving others more than we love our opinions. Loving one another means putting the well being of others ahead of our ideals or opinions.

Please turn with me to Galatians 5:13-15. We just finished a lengthy study of the book of Galatians. At the close of the letter, Paul gave his readership some practical instruction on how to love one another properly. Some within the Galatian congregations had fallen prey to men who wanted to force the practice of the old law of Moses into Christianity. Paul went through a lengthy discourse on the advantages of the law of Christ and the disadvantages of the law of Moses and at the end of that letter, Paul knew his instructions were going to cause trouble within the congregations. These congregations had to reverse the Judaizing process and return to true Christianity. Paul knew there were people in those congregations who were misled, wrong and would have to be corrected. He knew there would be trouble when they started the process of returning themselves to the truth. So he included in his letter some of those “one another” phrases.

Galatians 5:13-15
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

These Christians had a difficult task ahead of them. They had to reject the doctrine of the Judaizers and return to the truth. Paul taught them to love one another, to serve one another and not to bite and devour each other because it would lead to them being consumed by one another. In other words, if they weren’t careful, in their pursuit to return each other to the truth, they would injure one another and do more harm than good. Paul told them first what had to be done, but he wanted them to understand that the motivation had to be through love and by serving one another and not biting and devouring. When we read on ahead in Galatians 5, we see that Paul added some more “one another” instructions:

Galatians 5:26-6:2
26. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. [the Greek word for provoke is “prokaleoo” which means to challenge to a combat or contest with someone]
6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

So from the book of Galatians we are going to add serving one another, loving one another as we love ourselves, restoring one another in spirit of gentleness if need be, and bearing one another’s burdens to the “do” side of the category. And in the “not do” category we are going to add not biting and devouring one another, becoming overtaken by our own opinions and not challenging, contesting or provoking one another.

The Galatian congregations were not alone in what they faced. People with differing opinions who were unable to work past them were at work in the congregation at Corinth as well. This is most well known congregation in all the New Testament that battled with this. They had all kinds of problems to deal with, mostly as a result of where they were. These Christian were mainly gentile converts from the city of Corinth which was one of the most corrupt and evil societies in existence in the Roman Empire. Imagine if you will trying to organize a congregation of Christians from among the people you would find within the walls of a maximum security prison and you might start getting somewhat of an idea of what this group of Christians had to contend with from within. A list of them is provided in

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Now catch this in verse 11… “Such were some of you”….

Let’s turn to 2 Corinthians 12:20-21 and while we are turning there let’s consider this.

That congregation had Christians who had been engaging in some what we would call some really bad activities. It’s no wonder they had a lot to deal with. These people had a long way to go to be mature Christians. So before we wag our heads in disdain for the difficulties that congregation faced, we need to consider where they came from just to get to where they were. Paul literally planted a church of Christ in the skid row of the Roman Empire.

Paul was planning a third visit to them in order to help them out. Here is what he was afraid he would find when he got there. I’m quoting from the NASB because it has a really good translation of what Paul is telling them.

2 Corinthians 12:20-21
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there may be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
NASB

Paul was afraid when he got to Corinth, he would not find the brotherly love that Christians are to exhibit toward one another. Instead he was worried that he would find “strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances”. These things are not to be going on within a congregation of the Lord’s people. We can add all of these to the “not do” category. Those who do these things are not loving one another in the proper way.

How about the church in Ephesus? Turn with me to Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4:1-3
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:31-5:2
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Walk in Love
(Chap 5) 1. Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
NKJV

Do’s lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, bearing one another in love, kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness, unity

Not Do’s bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking.

How about the church on Colossi?

Colossians 3:13-16
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
NKJV

Do’s Just read it again. No commentary necessary. It speaks for itself.

How about the church in Thessalonica?

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
NKJV

We are commanded to recognize and esteem those who labor among us. Those who work to bring and teach us God’s word and try to help guide us in the paths of right. We are to warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. We are never to render evil for evil to anyone. We are always to pursue what is good both for ourselves and for all.

The “do’s” and “do nots” just go on and on:

Titus 3:2-3
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

The “do” column gets peace, gentleness and humility.

The “do not” column gets speaking evil of one another, foolishness, disobedience, deception, various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy and hating one another.

Hebrews 3:13
“exhort one another” means to encourage, support, build each other up.

Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,”

1 Peter 1:22
“love one another fervently with a pure heart”

In the epistles of John, we are taught to love one another no less than 6 times in just those words. “Love one another”

We have the do column and the do not column. When we put those all together we can form a picture of who we must be as Christians. On the one side we see how we are to act toward one another, how we treat one another, how we help, build up, support, encourage and teach one another. When we fail to do those things in the “do” column, we have fallen short as children of God in our duties to one another.

On the other side we see what we are NOT TO DO to one another if we love them. We are not to belittle, discourage, dishonor, tear down, divide from, hurt, harm, damage or consume one another in any way shape or form. We are of the body of Christ. We are the children of God. We are the best last hope for humanity. God has given us His will and left it up to us to represent it to the world. We stand apart from the world. We have to live in it, with all it’s disappointments, fear, hurt, deception and evil. We come together as a body, as a family so that we can escape from the world for just a little while before we go back and have to face it again. This congregation is our sanctuary. It’s our ONLY port in the storm. This is where we go for encouragement and fortification so that we can go back into the pit and keep on keeping on. This is our brief escape from it all. It’s the closest thing to heaven that any of us will ever get this side of the grave or the judgment. We must work to make sure this gathering is what it is intended to be for all of us. And we never ever want to do anything to ruin it for anyone else.

When one of us rejoices, we all rejoice. When we are happy, we are all happy. When one of us repents, we all give thanks. When one of us triumphs, we all win.

But

When one of us is sick, we all suffer. When one of us dies, we all greave. When one of is cut, we all bleed. When one of us is lost, we all lose and when someone is hurt within the body of Christ by another, all of us have been wronged and we have failed.

A preacher I know once taught a lesson from this pulpit which claimed that Christianity is a “one another religion”. It truly is.

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