Several weeks ago I began writing The Suicide of the Church. The title may seem a bit morbid or harsh, but regrettably, this is what has been taking place far too long within the body of Christ.
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Let me explain the title. Simply put suicide is the intentional killing of oneself and suicide is what happens when believers fight each other.
We are all one in God, wherever we are on our journey with Him each Christian is connected in Christ. When we use our words to hurt, ostracize and beat one another, most often for being different from us or weaker in an area we are stronger in, we are actually maiming ourselves.
It is a self-imposed, self-inflicted genocide. It is sick.
I’ve heard the following arguments from some, as a means to justify their lack of spiritual restraint .
“Truth is Truth.”
I say truth spoken without love only causes divisions, contentions and leaves room for that nasty monster of offense.
“There must be a separation.”
I say separation naturally occurs when you follow God and to some extent, progressively increases the higher you go. This separation shouldn’t be confused with the divisions we cause by being contentious. This separation also shouldn’t be an excuse to avoid people. We are commanded to go everywhere, indirectly this is a command to be around all kinds of people (not in fellowship with), in order to model God in the earth. (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 6:14)
“Christ didn’t come to bring peace.”
Surprise, I say I agree. In fact, Christ did say He didn’t come to bring peace, but that He came to bring the opposite, which is a sword. With this knowledge, did he mean for us to go around bullishly devouring the spirits of men? Does this statement remotely override His entire purpose for being born? No, it does not. Until the world ends, His purpose was and will forever be to bring man God’s peace.
CORRECTION IS TO RESTORE.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s foes will be those of his own household.’ “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
MATTHEW 10:34-39 MEV
Reading the scripture in full context, we see that Christ is giving us a heads up about the conflicts and differences we may face. He undeniably brings us to the realization that we may lose people following Him, even those we love dearly. This doesn’t mean we don’t care or we stop praying the best for them. However, it does mean we accept this reality and actively hope for their good.
The overall theme of this message is that in following Him we must willingly forsake all. As your relationship with God advances, you will discover this “all” includes people, personal motives, and especially our sometimes less than desirable attitudes.
Confrontation.
Christ said “He” came to confront tough issues. If you are ever required to address controversial matters do it with His mind and His heart. In doing this, you will find the purpose of confrontation is always to redeem.
Years ago God spoke to me and said with rebuke there is always promise. Why? It’s because a promise existed before the disobedience did, even in His correction His promises are still available to us!
Please carry this thought in mind when correcting others. In doing so your words will heal and not kill.
PRAYER
As the Lord permits, I pray you come back next week for a third round of The Suicide of the Church trilogy.
In Jesus Name, Amen!
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