Many are saying America is in the worst condition in history. Is this true? If so, who's to blame? The easy thing to do is point the finger at the government, Wall Street, or big business. But is it all their fault? More importantly, what must we do to save America? For the answers see the Fall 2008 Issue of Insight.

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." --2Tim. 4:1-4

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Conflict in the Church

Jesus requires of His people a deep, special love for fellow believers. We are to love them as Jesus loves us. We are to love them so much that we would give our life for them.

Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)

Jesus says this unselfish, unconditional, Christ-like love is the clearest sign that we are truly His disciples.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

How heart-broken we should be whenever any congregation has quarreling, division, and unforgiveness among its members, especially when it goes public.

I regularly hear of such problems and splits in churches across the country and in our own communities. My first thought is always how dishonoring this is to Jesus; how damaging to the reputation of the church as a whole; how discrediting to the gospel; and how painful for those involved.

My next thought is that they must not know all the Bible has to say on love, unity, and peace in the church. I always wonder if they are not being taught or if they are just not learning. I’m sure it’s some of both.

At the risk of seeming judgmental, my next thought is that many of them may not even be true Christians at all. This judgment is not based on my opinion but on some of the passages I feel too many are unfamiliar with or don’t take seriously. Consider these for example:

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:7-10)

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:19-21)

I then consider how 1 Cor. 13:4-8 describes the way real love acts and I am overwhelmed with grief.

These passages do not leave much room for a divisive, hateful, unforgiving person to call themselves a Christian.

This love does not mean there will never be conflict in the church or that we will never do any unloving things to one another. (For love must be nurtured to maturity and guarded with the utmost care.)

Nor does it mean we do not confront and even discipline sinful behavior. What it does mean is that those truly born of God will resolve their differences, forgive one another, preserve unity and the honor of Christ’s name—all motivated by sincere love.

Whenever I hear of conflict between believers or division in a local church I long to share with them words like these: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:1-3)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col 3:12-15)

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)

If you are having conflict with someone, for Christ’s sake, go be reconciled. If you know of any Christians or a church in conflict share this with them.

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