Why the Church is Weak.

Why the Church is Weak.

There is a saying that familiarity brings contempt, and could it be said that the 21st century church believes they are so familiar with Christ, that they feel they have no need to grow? Being a bible believer now is almost like a professional job, I don't mean to condemn my fellow brothers and sisters but the joy of being saved has left the building. The apostle Paul warned the Galatians; "13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. (Galatians 5:13-15 | ESV)

Warning about being justified by the law, the apostle warns the church to remain in love and to not consume each other through aggressive behaviour towards each other. The early believers were human just like we are, and the apostle knew that the church could lose it's witness and unity if they didn't get along. There always has been many ways the Church has tried to keep this unity throughout history, but the best way to keep unity is through love and forgiveness. Jesus prayed for our unity, but we must first practice it in our own hearts, then in our churches.

It's more than just getting along, it's loving one another and living in holiness. The world needs to trust that the church is not divided, so we must love unconditionally even when it feels uncomfortable. We need to trust that God is in control of our circumstances, even when we feel He is not, and we need to allow Christ back into our church. The Holy Spirit works the best when there is no contention in our hearts and we are free to love, as Christ loved. Only when we are free in this way, will the body of Christ be strengthened and made to shine, the way the Lord wants. We are too quick to beat up on one another, not knowing that the world is watching our testimony and evaluating our power.

We don't have to prove anything to them, it is only for our own sake and our unity that I say this. The church wants to be effective and is frustrated at why she is not so. The answer is love and forgiveness. Through mutual love and forgiveness the church can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Jesus already taught that the church would be rejected, but he also taught that her future power lies in her unity. Let's not strive to tear one another down, but to build each other up, just as the bible teaches. "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 | ESV)" This is Mike.

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