We look at all the mess our government has made. That's not a political statement because I am not a political person. It's just the truth. The more our government (man) gets control on things, the more they mess things up. Regulations for every part of our society seems to be their answer. In the meantime, the small business suffers, families suffer and it destroys our economy. My own father, who owned a tv and appliance store, was put out of commission in one part of his business because of government regulations. (They made a law in order to use any freon, he had to buy expensive equipment to catch the old freon and get licensed to purchase any further freon!) To top it off, we have now been scared into thinking about global warming, to which politicians say it will eventually lead to warmth all over the earth. That goes completely against what God's word says. There will always be seasons, cold and hot, on this earth as long as it remains (Gen. 8:22). Only the strong survive seems to be their motto!
When we turn to the church, we look at those who have lives messed up. Sin has taken hold and devastated homes. Sin has found a resting place in the heart of some of those in Christ and they live in ways that are opposite of what Christ would want. What do many do? They just cast them off as lost! There is little reaching out to try to bring them back to their senses and the Christ who cares so much for them. Brethren just want nothing to do with them. I was listening the other day to some brethren who were speaking of another couple they had eaten with. This couple gets caught up in their fleshliness so easily but I have seen them at times to strive to move forward. There were some disheartening moments during the meal and even a comment that was not appropriate about the wife that came from the husband. How did the other brethren react? They wanted no more to do with them! It was stated they would never ask them to eat with them again. Out of the situation, one brother realized the weaknesses and the opportunity for sin to completely consume this brother and sister. Rather than cast them off, he decided he would go and talk to them face to face to get them to see what is happening. That's a spiritual man! "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each on looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." (Gal. 6:1)
Our government makes messes. Our brethren make messes. I'll let the Lord deal with our government leaders but I need to do what I can to help those who are in Christ see their relationship and the power of His love to change their lives before it is too late. It seems too many in the church really could care less about those that at one time were in fellowship with Christ and when they are caught in sins, it is too easy to cast them off. Remember, Jesus invested His life in them. May the Lord open our eyes and hearts to help one another to heaven!
2 comments:
~We have known you for a little over 15 years now... and I am so thankful you never grow weary of teaching us and showing us how to love deeper.
Thank you.
What kind of love do we possess when we take this type of position with others? Where is the heart when you cast off and put away others? Not where it should be.
Should we not love each other in such a way that we are willing to extend ourselves, especially to those in need and sin?
The very least we can do is to show the same level of love to others that was shown to us by God and Jesus. Jesus was always willing to reach out to all, from the tax collector to the Samaritan woman at the well. We should be willing to do the same and especially to those that have lost their way.
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