What has happened to spiritual brethren in the church? I start first with myself...no stone to throw or finger to point. It is one thing to point a finger at a brother to condemn...another to point out the fault in order to heal and bring restoration. My point comes from thinking this morning about how often, when we are hurting the most...down and out...have committed a trespass or transgression...do we seek to love and restore per Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one anothers burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. I am speaking to the body of Christ at the moment...not just the shepherds. Sometimes Pastors and leaders are weary and worn from the battle...from giving their life and all for others...and then the stumble...just like a sheep. What do we do? Do we pray for them? Do we love them? Do we stand beside them and support them by lifting up their arms and helping them as they serve? As shepherds, what do we do? I speak from failures in my own life...when I have seen others stumble and trying to serve when they are hurting...how did I respond? How did I react? Amazing how the Holy Spirit teaches us from our mistakes...and is always learning us Christ. What do we do when someone fails us? Do we forgive and restore and continue to love? Or do we withdraw and withhold love when it is most needed? Do we judge and condemn and commit to isolation when they need help and love more than ever? To often we leave others who have hurt and disappointed us along the roadside to die? A beautiful parable spoken by Jesus: A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and WENT OFF LEAVING him half dead. A priest passed him by, then a Levite...no one stopped to help...and then A certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he took him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he gave the innkeeper money and said, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay. (Luke 10). How often I have failed to follow this principle. I want other to PAY for what they have done wrong...when they are broken and contrite and I leave them along the roadside to suffer...am I doing what Jesus would do? NO! I need to take them in...take the responsibility for their healing and care and love them and nourish them back to health...and pay the bill myself....if necessary...which is bearing, in a sense the penalty for their sin or failure. May we learn this principle from top to bottom in the Body of Christ. And may God forgive us when we did NOT turn the other cheek. And may it start with me!
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 15:25:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015