Wednesday: Grace Within the Church
At the beginning of the book of Job, God points to Job and his faithfulness to Him as a demonstration of the goodness of God’s ways and His dealings with fallen humanity (see Job 1:8). It is remarkable that God allows His reputation to hang on how His people live their lives on this earth. But Paul expanded this faith God has in some of His “saints” to include the community of the church: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 3:10, NIV).
Read Ephesians 2:19. What do you think is included in the idea of describing the church community as the “household” of God? How should this description influence how the organized church operates?
Grace
In any community or organization, how that entity treats its members reflects the foundational values of the group. As the household of God, the body of Christ and the community of the Spirit, the church has the highest of callings to live out and live up to: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people” (1 Cor. 14:33, NIV).
The values of justice, grace, and love—as demonstrated in God’s justice, grace, and love—should govern all that happens within the church. From local church communities to the worldwide church organization, these principles should guide church leaders in how they lead, make decisions, and care for the “least of these” among the church community. They should also guide how we resolve the disputes that arise from time to time among members. If we can’t treat those among us with fairness and dignity, how are we going to do that with others, as well?
Where the church organization employs people, it should be a generous employer, valuing people before any other consideration and working against unfair treatment of members. Churches should be safe places, with all church members doing what they can to protect the vulnerable. And, as we see in the early church, members of the church community should be especially prepared to give to support those of their church “family” who are suffering or in need.
Jesus gave this as a command, saying that not only would this transform the community of faith, it would also demonstrate the reality of their faith to those looking on: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35, NIV).
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As I read today's lesson, two things came to mind.
First, I hear John 13:34,35 as one of Maurice's most frequently cited verses as the bottom line of what needs to happen and why.
And second, I recall Kevin R James comment from Sunday (Agents of Change) as a 'perfect' response to today's lesson focus. Kevin wrote:
"I am seeking to start every day by seeking to be a servant to all by God's blessing through Christ. An ambassador for the kingdom is a servant of God and man. I think this is what is also called presenting ourselves as a "living sacrifice" to God."
Who of us will join with Kevin in seeking to start each day this way and, in doing so, collectively become a church of grace?
Does loving someone require that I like that person? Does it mean that I must become a close friend with a difficult person? By looking at Jesus’ example, I have to say, “Not necessarily.” While He loved all people, He did not give His time equally to all. He spent the most time with His disciples, but even among the twelve, He was closer to Peter, James, and John.
Love does not enable a person to continue in sinful or irresponsible ways.
Growing in love requires lifelong effort. You will experience many failures. But your aim should be to love others even as Jesus loves you.
What’s the difference between loving someone and liking someone?
It is not the 'someone' that is disliked or loved in many instances. It is their behavior, their opinion, their attitude, or any of the other nameless things that seem to crowd out our affection one for another. For example, I may love the person, but not 'like' how they interpret the Church Manual or what they serve at Potluck.
THEY DON'T COME TO ME.
My church is one of the richest churches in the world but the ' least of these 'don't come to us for help.
1. They run to the Catholic church for safety when disaster strikes.
2. When there's water shortage they run to the mosque to fetch free water.
3. When hungry they run to an Indian temple for bread and milk their only meal of the day.
4. When sick they go to Catholic hospitals where they are treated for free.
What does your church do to the community surrounding it? What has it done to the least of these in the church family?
.... I think journalists should come to our churches to report how we are helping the poor not how we are fighiting because of leadership.
I am currently on a 5000km road trip photographing birds, so opportunities to sit down and think up a challenging and meaningful comment are few. Incidently I have just photographed a Mangrove Honeyeater, which is a new species for me so I am in a good mood.
My greatest fear for the church is that we will lose our love for one another. In recent years I have heard far too many vitriolic denouncements of other church members who do not believe as we believe. There are calls to unmask wolves in sheep's clothing and attempts to define doctrinal and organizational purity. The differences of opinion do not worry me as much as the language used to describe those with whom we disagree. The language typically amplifies the division among us. Where is the language of love when we disagree?
We have an ordinance of humility called foot-washing. Perhaps it is time to explore the full meaning of this ordinance and not treat it as just another church ceremony. Symbols are meaningless if they are not translated into reality.
Yes Maurice, some of that divisive language is unfortunately coming from the top church leadership specifically on the topic of the role of women in the church.
I would not want this discussion to be sidetracked on the role of women issue nor on the church leadership issue either. But yes, the language used in this discussion has been very divisive, and highlights a deeper issue within the church. How we treat one another on contentious issues is a reflection of whether the gospel has impacted our lives. The outcome does not justify the means.
The power of the Holy Ghost, he was given to transfer our hearts to become like Christ. The process of Sanctification.
Yesterday at work a worker asked me if I like the head of the country. This man speaks powerful. If you don’t agree with him he debases you. I told her I have nothing against him but I don’t agree with his attitude towards people. Loving someone and liking their attitude is different. How did Jesus deal with Judas? James and John? Peter? Scribes, Pharisees? Etc, etc. The multitude who spread their clothing to crown him on Monday, five days after, on Friday, the multitude became the Mob? How did those people change in five days?
He fed thousands of them, protected them, cast our demons from them yet they shouted Crucify him, crucify him.
Do humans know what love is? I personally think I don’t know so I am asking Jesus every day to teach me how to love him and how to love those closest to me so I can love those in the church and community.
Many times we love until we get hurt then we change. But change what? If love is a principle and not a feeling, how can we change?
That’s why Jesus' love never changed during those hrs he went to Calvary for ME.
So many lovely hymns about the love of God, I like to sing them, oh love that will not let me go, I gave my life for you, etc.
Holy Ghost guide my lips, deeds and thoughts so I will not sin against you.
Do we love and support people who agree with us? Unlove those who don’t agree with what we believe? We are servants, ambassadors, teachers, helpers, children of the most high, strangers and foreigners, fellow-citizens with the saints, Christians, etc.
No one can love like Christ, the Holy Spirit must be dwelling in our lives and shed love abroad.