Words from the Pastor
I know that we talk a lot about peace. And we have the greatest faith ever, because God promises peace in all of our circumstances. All we have to do is reach out and take hold of that peace and trust that God has everything under control. But what about peace in our church family? What happens to your peace when you think someone in your church family offends you? What do you do then? Do you hold on to that grudge and ruin the fellowship? Do you dwell on it until it festers and becomes a cancer in the Body of Christ (Because remember, each one of us is the Body of Christ.)? What are the actions that you take when you feel someone has wronged you? Do you hit your knees and seek God’s guidance or do you lash out, thinking that you’re right no matter what?
I read something the other day that said, “Actions always prove why words mean nothing.” What are my actions? Do my actions speak louder than my words? Am I showing a Christ like love no matter what happens to me or what people say about me? I would like to think that I am somewhat like Christ. Remember in the Gospels when the Pharisees and the Roman leaders all spoke vicious lies about Jesus and even paid people to lie about Him? And the Scripture says that Jesus didn’t say anything in His defense (Mark 15:1-5) Is that how I would be? Would I be able to keep my mouth shut and let them tell lies, or would I get upset with them and lash out in anger?
I have been studying Matthew 18:15-17. What a great study it is. It tells us how to deal with a sinning brother or sister in the church. This is what it says: Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to hear even the church, let him be to you like a heathen or a tax collector (NKJV). As I studied this it referenced me to a verse of Scripture in Leviticus 19:17 & 18: “Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their quilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself (NIV).” So, we have instances in both the Old and New Testament of how we should handle a situation when we feel that someone has wronged us. But I really need to ask myself, “Is this really something that I need to be concerned with, or should I treat this in such a way that I prove that I really do love my neighbor as myself?” Jesus tells us in (Luke 6:41-42) that we need to take the plank out of our own eye before we try to remove the splinter out of our neighbors’ eye. Am I looking inside myself to see if it’s me that needs to change before I reprove my Brother or Sister?
Galatians 6:1 & 2 tells us, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (NIV).” Isn’t that what it’s all about? Trying to fulfill the law of Christ which is to love our brothers and sisters like we love ourselves? I do hope I can do this and show the world that I am truly a follower of Jesus Christ. I pray that I will be able to look beyond myself and my own flesh and put on Christ and be what a Christian should be.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve