“But speaking the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15
“…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering…” 2 Timothy 4:2
No one would let a dentist fill their cavities, if they knew he was going to cause them as much pain as possible in the process. Doctors and dentists gain a reputation for their kindness and consideration, or, on the other hand, for their roughness and insensitivity.
We are not going to let others doctor us spiritually, if they sting us every time they get the opportunity. It is all important that we establish trust in our fellowship by establishing the right feelings in our hearts toward our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We all, as fellow members of the body of Christ, need the ministry that each can afford one another by God’s grace: “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25 It is spite that withdraws and refuses to care for others. We owe it to the body of Christ, and we fulfill this sacred obligation, by establishing confidence in one another, as being kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love, and in honor preferring one another: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:2-3
Christ taught His disciples that the blessedness and happy returns of Christian fellowship come back to us as we strive to wash one another’s feet, rather than become critical of one another for having dirt on our feet. (John 13:14-17)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 This is the level that God makes possible: “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32
SHARING
