I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose
1 Corinthians 1:10
We, the followers of Christ, are called to be a beacon of light in the world. Yet, sometimes, our actions can paint a different picture. Friction within the church, fueled by arguments over doctrine, morals, and petty disagreements, can create a culture of judgment and division. This stands in stark contrast to the message of unity and love at the core of Christianity.
Imagine the confusion of someone seeking solace in the church, only to be met with raised voices and accusations. The parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7) beautifully illustrates God's unwavering love for the lost. Jesus doesn't scold the sheep for wandering away; he celebrates its return with immense joy. Shouldn't we, as his followers, strive for that same spirit of compassion?
Imagine a weary traveler seeking refuge in a church, only to be met with a cacophony of raised voices and accusations. What a stark contrast to the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)! The father in this parable doesn't scold his returning son for his transgressions; he throws a joyous feast, overwhelmed with love for his child's return. Shouldn't we, as followers of such a loving God, embody that same spirit of boundless compassion?
The truth is, we all stumble. The Bible reminds us in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." When a brother or sister in Christ falls short, the appropriate response isn't a self-righteous "I told you so," but an outstretched hand of love and support. Galatians 6:1 instructs us, "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. But watch out that you are not tempted too." We are called to be instruments of restoration, not condemnation.
Our focus should be on spreading the transformative message of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:3 urges us to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Let's strive to create a welcoming environment where hearts can be touched by the Gospel. Instead of endless debates, let our discussions be fueled by a genuine desire to learn, grow, and share the love of Christ.
We, the followers of Christ, are called to be a living tapestry, woven together by threads of love and unity. Yet, sometimes, our actions resemble a tangled mess, knotted with arguments over doctrine, morals, and petty disagreements. This dissonance between our bickering and the message of Christ creates a deafening noise that drowns out the Gospel's beautiful melody.
Remember, the world doesn't need another religious squabble. They need to see the vibrant tapestry of God's love reflected in the way we treat each other. Let's choose unity over division, love over judgment, and become a beacon of hope in a world desperately seeking solace. Let the world see Christ not in our theological arguments, but in the unwavering love we demonstrate towards one another.
In doing so, we fulfill the very purpose for which Christ established his Church: to be a united body, a living testament to His message. May our actions truly reflect the words of 1 John 4:7: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Remember, the world doesn't need another religious squabble. They need to see the power of God's love reflected in the way we treat each other. Let's choose unity over division, love over judgment, and become a true testament to the message of Christ.
The Blurry line podcast is a Christian podcast that aims to have conversations around Christian topics with the main goal of learning more, growing spiritually and growing together. We will be talking about our everyday issues and faith questions with different guests in each episode and we hope this blesses you.