Peace in the Body of Christ
“But avoid
foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law,
because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and
then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him” (Titus
3:9-10).
The
body of Christ is to be the light for the world to see amidst the darkness.
Unfortunately, there are many within the body of Christ who are in constant
conflict and chaos. It’s not that they are in conflict with the world, as it
wouldn’t be surprising if they were, but the conflict exists within the members
themselves. There is arguing, feuding, politicking for positions, and all other
sorts of mayhem taking place in the Lord’s House. Many may wonder, “Why is it
that more souls are not coming to Christ?” Could it be that the lost are seeing
that the church is acting no better than they are? The Bible says, “Do
not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who
listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and
slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians
4:29-32). Many souls have left the body of Christ due to hurtful
gossip, slander, and others’ spirits of jealousy. This has caused countless
people to experience church hurt, and some have vowed never to step foot into a
house of worship again.
Nevertheless,
the Bible has given us guidelines to follow in order to deal with differences
with our fellow brothers and sisters. The Bible says, “If
your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two
of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will
not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be
established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to
listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen to them,
treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector. “I tell you the truth,
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on
earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:15-18). God ordained a
method of reconciliation with a person with whom you may have a grievance against. If we follow the guidelines set forth in the Word of God, we can be sure
to have more peaceful and meaningful relationships within the Body of Christ and
with others.
Many people of faith have fallen out regarding
doctrinal differences as well. Some of the bloodiest battles in history have
been over religion. Nevertheless, there are some issues that the Bible clearly
states is right and wrong, and others where God’s guidance individually is
warranted. The Bible says, “Accept him whose faith is weak without
passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat
everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man
who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who
does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does for God accepted him”
(Romans 14:1-3). The text lets us know that we are not to judge others
on issues of consciousness. This is not to excuse SIN. However, there are commands
in the Bible that God has said is an absolute transgression against Him, while
there are others that are to be personalized as God leads YOU. The Bible says,
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity,
and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of
rage, selfish ambition, dissensions factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and
the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not
inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Instead
of having division and quarrels with our brothers and sisters, we are to be in
peace with all people because God is not the author of confusion. The Bible says,
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace….” (1Corinthians 14:33).
The devil is the one who likes to stir up dissent and conflict in the world,
but God is the giver of peace and this is why He is called Jehovah Shalom, Lord
our Peace. The Apostle Paul made an appeal to the church in his day to stop the
quarreling regarding whom they followed, but to be united as one in
Christ. The Bible says, “I
appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you
agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you
may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe’s
household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is
this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still
another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? were
you baptized into the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). We serve
one God and that is Jehovah Shalom who reigns above. In order to worship
Jehovah Shalom in spirit and in truth as He requires, we must love our fellow
brothers and sisters. The Bible says, “Yet a time is coming and has now
come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for
they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his
worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). If we are unable
to get along on earth, how do we expect that we will be at peace in Heave the Jehovah
Shalom who is the Lord of Peace? Earth is our training ground and we should act
accordingly.
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