“Well, that seems weird!” This is a common thought that runs through my mind from time to time and more often, as of late, as I see Christians fighting among themselves. Why do we do that? It seems currently more and more that we do not need to worry about an outside force coming in to tear apart the church, because at the moment, we are going to destroy ourselves with infighting that comes from a lack of love, true biblical unity, and a now, and not yet kingdom focus. Yes, we still need to be watchful at the gate for the enemy, but at this rate there may be nothing left inside after they reach the walls. Sometimes we need to accept that we do not and cannot understand everything that is happening around us, right? The reality that we are not actually in control can be devastating for some. Yet, when we let fear or the unknown, or the known for that matter, slip in and get a foothold in our lives or churches, we often quickly devolve into acting like cornered animals growling, biting, lashing out, and ultimately, we unwittingly, at least I hope so, begin depowering one another in order for us to feel in control again. Paul writes, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:14–15) We are commanded to and are known by our love for each other! (John 13:34-35) This command may seem childish or to simplistic for some, but I have found this to the most difficult and rewarding thing we will ever choose to do; sacrificially loving someone else with all of our heart soul, mind, and strength. Yes, it is true, there are times it is hard to love others and if we are honest there are times we are hard to love. But God’s command is clear, that to love God and others is to fulfill the law. When Jesus was asked, “…which is the great commandment in the law?” He responded with “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36–40). So then in light of these commandments, when did it become appropriate for Christians to hurt one another, speak ill of one another, or at times, willfully seek to ruin one another in the name of our faith? Shame on us. Make sure we put our energy into loving God, loving each other and the lost in our community!
What Are We Doing Here People
