“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” John 13:35 (NLT)
Jesus said that His disciples, meaning His church, would be known by our love for one another! Uhm! I don’t think that is an accurate description of the church these days! Paul said that we were to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus, meaning humility and putting each other above ourselves (Philippians 2:2-5). Instead of unity, there is petty offenses over color of skin or doctrine; over masks, vax and distancing; etc. The reality is, much of the church is distracted with lessor things, focusing on their way and methods, but choosing not to stand together in love for each other to reach our city and nation! I actually know pastors who see no value in coming together to pray! We’d rather go to a committee meeting than prayer meeting. We’d rather go to a football game than coming together to lift up His name! Jesus said He was coming back for a spotless, pure, holy, passionate and ready bride. Spoiler alert, that is not us, yet! He is coming back, but first to His bride to prepare her, so He can come for her. Please understand, we can hasten the day by focusing on loving one another and partnering with each other in prayer and kingdom activities. As important as it is to grow our local churches, Jesus is more concerned about His Church, His entire body, not just how your local church is doing! Your church may succeed, but if others are failing or struggling, the whole body is hurting. Guess what, we’re hurting!
Please pray that Christ centered love for one another would be established in the churches across our city. Ask God for a grace to tear down every wall of division, every obstacle, every offense that is keeping us apart. Pray for your pastor to have wisdom and conviction to draw near to other pastors, to walk in humility, and to see each other’s churches as more important than their own! Ask God to show you any place where you have put your church as superior to the other churches in our city. Ask God to release in you a grace to be a kingdom unity warrior! As Jesus comes to His church in our city, may we welcome His work within us!!!
