Do you really know your neighbor?
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” – Gal 5:14
Do you really know your neighbor? Specifically, I’m talking about your brothers and sisters in the congregation. Even as an Elder, I struggle with this one. Although I see each of you at Sunday Worship on Sundays I struggle to really know you as individuals. Maybe you struggle with the same things.
What are their likes and dislikes? What are their hobbies or things that interest them? What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses?
I ask these questions because as we strive to follow our Lord each and everyday, we do it with various interests, strengths and weaknesses. Many things confront our paths in this struggle to live our lives pleasing before God.
Can you really do it alone? I can’t. Aside from attendance at the assembly on Sundays being a necessity; one of the greatest blessings we share is the common bond of brotherhood in Jesus Christ. The bond reaches across just Sundays, and reaches into our everyday lives.
Have you considered reaching out to a brother or sister who needs it? Have you considered being the strength for someone else’s weakness? The rock for their instability? The arm to hold onto for their stumbling? The light for the wanderer? The feet for those who can go no further on their own? The Shelter for those in the middle of a storm? The instructor of the unlearned? – You get the message.
May I encourage you to look across the isle, choose a neighbor that you don’t know so well, and get to know them. Find opportunity to spend time with them. Invite them over. We need to be a close family of God. We need to desire the presence of each other above anything the world has to offer. Doing this will not only make someone else feel good, it will bless you immensely and strengthen you as a Christian. Think about it!
Words That Destroy
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: -Php 2:3-5
I am amazed at the freedom we often feel to say anything we want at the expense of others. Words that cut deep. Words that hurt. Words that are disparaging. Words meant to cause doubt. Words that pit one against another. And why?
Insecurity? Envy? Power?
What scripture shall we quote? Do we really need to? We know what the tongue is capable of doing, don’t we?
We are called to be encouragers- people who build one another up. May I suggest to you, the first and primary way you will do this is with your words. We are to bear one another’s burdens. We are to pray for one another. We are to consider others better than ourselves. These are the Christ-like qualities we should be striving to possess. That’s exactly what Christ did for us, did He not? He considered you more valuable than His own life. Can we do the same thing for others? Consider Jesus upon the cross. He uttered nothing in retaliation, but gave us an example of how we should walk before others.
On the flip side, we need not jump to conclusions and become easily offended. We must be mature. We must be patient. We must be forgiving. Again, sometimes things are said that were never intended to hurt. But because we read something more into a given statement, we assume ill-intent, our feelings get hurt, and we harbor hard-feelings toward the offender. This, too, is contrary to what Christ would have us to do.
When I was young, my mother often told me to “always assume the good in people”. I know… a little cliche’-ish, nevertheless, it’s true. When our intent is to interpret what we hear through the ears of envy and self-righteousness, it will always assume doubt and ill-will. It will never build up.
Jesus has called us to peace. Make every effort to guard your tongue. Make every effort to bless others, not curse. Be an encourager, not a discourager.
It boils down to this… If humility is exhibited on both sides of an issue, peace will always prevail. Be humble. Be your brother’s servant. If everyone does this, then nothing will stop the influence and work of the Lord. All glory to God!
Blessing to you in the Lord!
Am I My Brother’s Keeper
“Judge not, that ye be not judged…”- Matt 7:1
Amazing, isn’t it? As soon as you point out (even to a friend) an error in their conduct, this verse is thrown right back at you. Even those who are anything but followers of Christ seem to know this verse well. It is their primary defense when they feel threatened by moral discernment.
However, Jesus did say it, didn’t He? What did He mean? Did he mean for His followers to never reveal the Truth, but to take on an “each to his own” mentality? Are we to sit idly by knowing that a brother or sister in Christ is making mistakes (and even sinning) and not say a word? Really?
Let me illustrate. Two friends were traveling together and came upon a herd of cattle in the road. They successfully made it past them and rounded a sharp curve in the road. They noticed a car coming in the distance. One friend said to the other, “What do you think would be the Christian thing to do?” The friend replied, “Build a hospital.” You see, we see the wreck coming in people’s lives, but instead of warning them before the wreck, we are willing to take our chances and just try to repair it later. In doing so, sometimes the damage is done and seemingly beyond repair all because we were afraid we would be accused of “judging.” This is simply a distortion of the Word of God. You are your Brother’s keeper.
Within the church, accountability to others actually encourages us to be concerned about one another. Paul said in Php 2:3 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” You see, our concern for others is based on their well being. We should be catering to each other; and that means… we are willing to encourage, be honest, and even gently correct them, if necessary. Gal 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” We are not called to correct in pridefullness, but in humility; because we really do care for them. Deep down inside, you know you are also a sinner, and are subject to failing in your walk, as well.
Unless we are in the frame of mind to want correction, we will never allow someone else to correct us. Therefore, I ask, are you genuinely concerned about doing the right thing (in the eyes of God)? Are you concerned enough that you will hear the Word of God no matter who God sends to tell you? Let me encourage you, if you are approached, don’t immediately assume they are condemning you; assume they are trying to help you and would want the same in return. Agree or disagree, be graceful and appreciate their concern for your well-being.
If you see an error in a brother’s or sister’s life, how do you approach them? Do you go to them with appropriate humility, or do you find some warped sense of satisfaction in the fact that “you” were the one who was able to tell them of their problem. Perhaps it makes you feel better about yourself? If you go to a brother with an issue, take a deep look inside your own life before doing so; pray about it, and then do so with an extreme amount of mercy and grace. After all, that’s what Christ did for us, did He not?
Issues of The Heart
Why is it when you think you’ve got it all together, the Lord humbles you in an astounding manner? We had a discussion last night (over dinner) with the children about telling the truth; specifically, never telling a lie. Of course, we presented different scenarios to them illustrating how hard it can be to always tell the truth.
Well, as you might have figured by now, I was presented with an opportunity to lie today; not a big, obvious one – but a little one. Therein lies (pun not intended) the problem. It is so easy to tell a “little” lie (mistruth, or just simply, not the whole truth) that I’m afraid we don’t take them very seriously today.
If we believe what God has said (through His inspired writers of the Holy Bible), and I do; then we must believe that lying is not only wrong, but is really a revelation of where our heart truly is.
Luke 6:45 The good man brings forth good out of the good treasure of his heart. And the evil man brings forth evil out of the evil treasure of his heart, for his mouth speaks out of the abundance of his heart.
Take inventory right now. What have you been saving up inside your thoughts (heart)? Jesus said what we have in our hearts is a treasure. A treasure is something you have collected and saved. It is valuable to you. It is close to your heart! It reveals the true YOU!
The point of all of this? It is your heart in which the Lord desires to take up residence. It is your heart that He witnesses through the Holy Spirit that you are God’s child. It is the heart where you meet Truth. Lying is not an option when the Lord looks into your heart. It always tells the truth! Do you?