The mechanisms of church - 4 days to go (I'm sure of it this time :o)
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all of these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
Col 3:13-15 (NIV)
This is what holds us together as church of people. This is the only mechanism that allows us to move forward.
Fusion is not only coming to terms with God’s involvement in our lives, it is also accepting that he will also involve others in our lives (and involve us in theirs). Not in a busybody way but as a strong support.
‘Bear with each other…’ this is fusionfuel. Sounds easy, yeah?! Have you tried it recently? I’m not talking about coping with the foibles of people that you usually like. I’m talking about whether you are still able to love those in the church who you would not choose to hang out with. Are you able to speak a constructional or encouraging word into their lives, in love, no matter what? Are you able to pray for them sincerely?
At one time Jesus decided to send out all 72 of his disciples to preach the gospel. He sent them out in twos but not of their own choosing; Jesus chose who they would partner. Why did he do this? Did he not care about excellence? Surely this wouldn’t promote the smooth communication of the gospel, working with someone you didn’t know or someone you didn’t totally get on with.
Jesus’ ministry was characterised by two things, preaching redemption to the crowds and dealing directly with relationship issues among the disciples. Jesus never shied away from either, and this is what he did as he sent them out on their first preaching mission in this manner. If they didn’t get on in their partnership they had to immediately decide whether it was something they just had to bear with (and thus mature themselves) or confront because it was a serious issue that was going to harm both parties. Living and working with someone 24-7 teaches you to address things correctly. They can’t be ignored or over looked because we only see them for a few hours a week. Doing this benefits neither us nor our brother or sister or the church or those who will need to hear the Gospel through our lives.
I have been memorising the fusionfuel of Colossians 3 so that through it Christ may direct my attitudes and actions as I let it roll around in my thoughts. I hope that everyone I knows will benefit from it because “as members of one body you were called to peace.”
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”
Col 3:13-15 (NIV)
This is what holds us together as church of people. This is the only mechanism that allows us to move forward.
Fusion is not only coming to terms with God’s involvement in our lives, it is also accepting that he will also involve others in our lives (and involve us in theirs). Not in a busybody way but as a strong support.
‘Bear with each other…’ this is fusionfuel. Sounds easy, yeah?! Have you tried it recently? I’m not talking about coping with the foibles of people that you usually like. I’m talking about whether you are still able to love those in the church who you would not choose to hang out with. Are you able to speak a constructional or encouraging word into their lives, in love, no matter what? Are you able to pray for them sincerely?
At one time Jesus decided to send out all 72 of his disciples to preach the gospel. He sent them out in twos but not of their own choosing; Jesus chose who they would partner. Why did he do this? Did he not care about excellence? Surely this wouldn’t promote the smooth communication of the gospel, working with someone you didn’t know or someone you didn’t totally get on with.
Jesus’ ministry was characterised by two things, preaching redemption to the crowds and dealing directly with relationship issues among the disciples. Jesus never shied away from either, and this is what he did as he sent them out on their first preaching mission in this manner. If they didn’t get on in their partnership they had to immediately decide whether it was something they just had to bear with (and thus mature themselves) or confront because it was a serious issue that was going to harm both parties. Living and working with someone 24-7 teaches you to address things correctly. They can’t be ignored or over looked because we only see them for a few hours a week. Doing this benefits neither us nor our brother or sister or the church or those who will need to hear the Gospel through our lives.
I have been memorising the fusionfuel of Colossians 3 so that through it Christ may direct my attitudes and actions as I let it roll around in my thoughts. I hope that everyone I knows will benefit from it because “as members of one body you were called to peace.”
posted by Andrew at 10:56 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home