"On Walking Together in Love and Humility"

"On Walking Together in Love and Humility"

Beloved brethren, gather round, for I bring to your attention a matter that requires the temperance of grace and truth. It is written in Proverbs 15:1,"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." May this truth guide our hearts as we seek harmony in the Lord's house, for unity is a treasure beyond compare.

Now, it is said that one of our elder ladies, with a heart to honor the pastor, took offense when another dear soul handled a gifting of a card in a manner contrary to her own. Though the card was lovingly signed, shared, and cherished, it lacked the grandeur she holds dear. In this moment of misunderstanding, words were spoken that bore the sting of discord.

Brethren, heed the counsel of Ephesians 4:2-3: "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We are many members, diverse in our gifts and approaches, yet one body in Christ. As 1 Corinthians 12:12 declares, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."

Elders, I beseech you with the wisdom of 1 Peter 5:2-3: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." Let your leadership be marked by gentleness and humility, guiding younger saints with the tenderness of shepherds tending their lambs.

And to the younger saints, let the words of 1 Timothy 5:1-2  be your guide:  "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity."  Serve with respect and honor, yet do so in the strength and wisdom God has given you, knowing that your unique gifts bring glory to Him.

Furthermore, let us all remember the charge of  Colossians 3:12-14:  "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.". Charity—love—must reign supreme in all our dealings.

Thus, I implore you, dear brethren, to temper your words with grace when addressing this matter, whether in conversation or through writing. Speak with the wisdom of  James 3:17:   "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

In closing, let us remember the beauty of unity, proclaimed in   Psalm 133:1 : "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" May we walk together in love, lifting one another up in the bond of peace and striving to glorify the Lord as

 one body. Amen.