I would just like to share something which a fellow sister in Christ was experiencing a while back. The following is quoted from parts of the book:
"When we live together as church it won't be too long before we will say something we wished we hadn't, or we will do something and then wish we had done it differently, or we will not do something and then wish we had, or we will react to something someone says or does to us and hten wish we could change the way we responded. Sinful people interacting with each other will lead to problems. And so while church life is easy to describe, it's going to be a bit more messy on the first tee. In fact, the whole round could get pretty ugly."
Let us take a look at Colossians 3:12-17
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
And he goes on to say..."How do we make it work? .....
.... This verse is not about peace within us, it is about peace between us.... Do you see how Paul points us to the relationship that's established between Christians? He tells us to let the peace of Christ rule because 'as members of onebody you were called to peace'. This was what we saw back in Ephesians 2 where Christ had brought peace between the Jew and Gentile. And then we saw it again in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 where we were united together as a single body. So here as members of one body we have been called to be at peace with each other...
We are constantly making decisions. In any exchange with someone, any conversation, we make decisions: over how we react, what we say, what attitude to adopt, what to do in response. I know these things come to us almost automatically, but we have control over them, and we decide how to respond. The question is, will we allow the peace of Christ to control our decisions?
... This peace is more than just the absence of hostility - this is the body working in harmony. So we can break down the peace of Christ simply by ignoring one another , just as much as by reacting badly. Sometimes then, that peace needs to control us to make us do something when we are tempted not to.
... Rather than pride, put on humility and gentleness: place other peopel and their needs above yourself, don't think too much of yourself, be gentle with each other. Instead of resentment, put on patience, forbearance and forgiveness: endure the wrongs done to you, bear with them, be patient with those people who annoy you, bear with those people who hurt you, and don't hold on to your hurt but let it go, forgive them...
... The good news of the gospel will lead us to love, forgive and care."
I hope this encourages all of us who may from time to time, in our sinful nature, stumble others amongst us accidentally.
May we all endeavour to let the peace of Christ rule among us and seek as parts of His body to bond together as one in loving kindness. =)
