Suspicion and skepticism is the order of the day! We question the intent and motives of virtually everyone with whom we do business or even interact. It's everywhere in our society. And unfortunately it's crept into the American church. Perhaps the national scandals have contributed to the cynicism in and around the church, from the sexual abuse of boys by priests, to the drug use and homosexual rendezvous of Ted Haggard, to the Jim and Tammy Faye Bakers and Jimmy Swaggerts. It's no wonder the church is disrepute with the world.
But it isn't just the high profile cases that are giving the church a bad name. The personal agendas, power struggles, and disputes in local churches are ripping apart the growth and development of the church in America. Research by a friend of mine found that there is not one county in the US that has a greater percentage of believers today than it did just 10 years ago. At the current rate of decline, only 12% of the nation will consider themselves a "Christian" by the year 2050.
Division, fights, splits, disunity, wrong motives, gossip, selfishness, personality conflicts and personal animosity are wrecking the church. It's not the church that Jesus established. That's part of the problem. It's gone from being Christ's church to MY church. Isn't Christ supposed to be the head of the church, every church? Not the pastor or bishop or governing board or denominational head quarters or ladies group or the guy with the most money or influence or been there the longest.
When the apostles in this passage dealt with the controversy surrounding Paul and sent him home to Tarsus for a season of growth, the text here says the church enjoyed a time of peace. It also says the Holy Spirit could then strengthen and encourage the church which in turn led to growth in the number of people accepting Christ and becoming a part of God's family and growth in living in the fear/respect of the Lord. Peace led to more than just a succession of hostilities. It led to more people being drawn to and accepting Christ and a deeper spiritual walk with God.
Isn't it time we drop all the personal opinions and agendas, dealt with the personality conflicts, bickering, backbiting, finger pointing and selfishness? I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a season of peace. I'm ready to be encouraged and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. I'm ready to grow as a church in a deeper intimacy with God. I'm ready to see hundreds, thousands of lives come to know Christ in their life.
God, help me be an instrument of your peace, not a source of controversy and consternation. Help me lead through your Spirit. I want to sense your presence deeper each day. I want to be a vessel that extends your good news. I want our church to model you, grow in you, serve like you, submit like you, love like you, offer hope like you.
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