Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

Hey, How Are You?

The church is in a real pickle.  We talk about being united but all we do is bicker, make threats, hurl insults, and tell each other what to do.  The 'each other' I am referring to are the left and right, liberal and conservative, if labels mean anything to you.  I have given this situation a lot of thought and  probably not enough prayer.  I don't have any easy answers except for - love one another.  Mmmm, seems to me I have heard that one somewhere before.  Love is the answer.  No matter what side of the coin you are on there are still basic needs that are common to both sides.  Needs that we all should be addressing as a unified body in Christ such as salvation, spreading the Gospel, making disciples for Jesus Christ, and feeding the hungy, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison, taking care of widows and orphans, and having covered dish dinners. (oops, sorry, couldn't help myself -Methodist).  So why can't we all just get along? 

Seems to me that we are so fixated on our differences that we don't have time to do ministry as the church.  If we would put as much energy into doing ministry for and with people in need as we do in finding fault with each other just think what we could accomplish.  Yes, there are lines that both sides have drawn in the sand, battle lines that we are constantly shoring up.  These demand so much of our attention that we are losing the battle to do ministry and my brothers and sisters in Christ, make no mistake about it we are in a war to save souls.  Every time we feed the hungry or clothe the naked or visit the sick and the imprisoned we do it in the name of Jesus so that people will give God the glory.  We are not giving God as much glory as Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, deserves, are we?  Nope, too busy being 'right', too busy bickering, making threats, hurling insults, and trying to tell each other what to do.  God help us because we sure do need it.  It is time to stop the fighting.

I was talking with my daughter who is a very intelligent, caring, hard working, witty, charming, educated pastor (the apple doesn't fall far from the cart-sorry, vanity).  We do not agree on some of these hot topics that are creating dvision in our church but we do agree that no matter what side you take (if you must take a side at all) that the answer is to love one another.  Easier said than done we said, but her and I both believe that if we focused more attention and spent more energy on doing ministry then the division from our differences would be a lot less.  Let us love one another.  Let us tell the world about Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, the Life.  Let us help those who are in need and tell them that Jesus sent us.  Lets love one another so that the world will see Christ in us and not the division that is consuming our church today.

Do you believe that there needs to be change?  There is a process for that change.  But Dad, there is an injustice that needs changed now.  Well Honey, we have a contract to live by.  But Dad, people are suffering and need help.  Sigh, so it continues. Hey, how about those Pirates?  Don't change the subject Dad. Ok, lets talk about how to reach our young people and what can we do to help the elderly and the poor.  Ok Dad and lets pray.  Told you she was a good kid.  Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable --if anything is praiseworthy --think about such things."  There is a season for everything even for bickering, but lets put more attention and energy into what we can agree on for the sake of the Gospel and for God's glory than on what we disagree on.  That is the church, one in the body of Christ, unified through His sacrifice and empowered through the resurrection.  Praise the Lord.

God loves you and so do I (even if we don't agree on everything:)

Pastor Bruce