In tough times eliminate People from your lives, no matter who!!! ..... Is This Really What We Are Called To Become?
I came across this poster and thought, 'maybe we need to re-evaluate our stand in life!'.
Family divisions have grown dramatically in recent times, I can barely find a family that does not, or has not experienced division, and what is also heart breaking is that in some situations church leaders may make it even easier for the division to continue by granting the absolution for the division, which of course becomes that very much needed conscience silencer that one is needed to avoid taking that extra mile towards reconciliation.
In most cases we are all to blame, because when we allow love to be choked by the enemy, our abilities to look beyond the division is blurred.
So lets begin by exploring some Biblical instructions, please read each one of these:
The Jesus way is "Love them to the end, seek to do what is in your power to overcome divisions, for it is the work of Satan!" But we may not always have the power to be fully broken for the sake of our brethren ..... and yes its true, we are ONLY called to do our best and wait on the Lord so that he may empower us with His Grace to do even more, but don't just give up ..... keep on praying, keep on praying, keep on praying ... until something happens!
As for those who refuse the way towards peace, unity, reconciliation...; they fall under the judgment of God as being 'sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.' (Jude 1:19).
"But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good." (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
I Pray for every family that is breaking that the Lord of mercy and peace may interfere and bring the power of Love once again, may we each be healed from our own selfishness, to reach out to one another eager to bring unity rather than brokenness.... for the days are short.
Family divisions have grown dramatically in recent times, I can barely find a family that does not, or has not experienced division, and what is also heart breaking is that in some situations church leaders may make it even easier for the division to continue by granting the absolution for the division, which of course becomes that very much needed conscience silencer that one is needed to avoid taking that extra mile towards reconciliation.
In most cases we are all to blame, because when we allow love to be choked by the enemy, our abilities to look beyond the division is blurred.
So lets begin by exploring some Biblical instructions, please read each one of these:
(1 Corinthians 1:10) Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
(1 Corinthians 3:3) for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
(1 Corinthians 11:18) For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it....... 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
But are we also called to separate from some people?
Yes we are; wisdom calls us to separate from those who intend to separate us from God either by false doctrine or a sinful path. Consider what St Paul preaches:
(Romans 16:17) Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
St John Chrysostom writes: "Divisions are instruments of Satan by which he reverses everything. As long as the parts of the body are united together, Satan cannot find an entry spot. The fall comes through divisions. Where do divisions come from? From opinions that contradict the teachings of the apostles. Where do these opinions come from? From slavery to greed and other lusts…this is what St Paul indicates as he writes to the people of Philippi: ‘whose god is their belly’, (Phil 3:19)"
(Extract from Fr Tadros Yacoub Malaty on The Epistle to the Romans, Page 252)But even for those, we are called to love and to pray for.
Ok....What about the advise..."Love them but reduce your contact!" for those whom we may just be clashing with for any other reason?
O'Lord Jesus I regret every incident where I may have advised people to take on this recommendation, for it does not reflect Your intention nor Your heart.
The Jesus way is "Love them to the end, seek to do what is in your power to overcome divisions, for it is the work of Satan!" But we may not always have the power to be fully broken for the sake of our brethren ..... and yes its true, we are ONLY called to do our best and wait on the Lord so that he may empower us with His Grace to do even more, but don't just give up ..... keep on praying, keep on praying, keep on praying ... until something happens!
As for those who refuse the way towards peace, unity, reconciliation...; they fall under the judgment of God as being 'sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.' (Jude 1:19).
I Pray for every family that is breaking that the Lord of mercy and peace may interfere and bring the power of Love once again, may we each be healed from our own selfishness, to reach out to one another eager to bring unity rather than brokenness.... for the days are short.
Revelations 12:12 "Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
