08/28/2026
Reminder:
It's good to examine the way we view others in the body of Christ. I want to pose a challenge. It's true, we're not yet in our glorified states where we will be eternally in the presence of God where there is no more sin or death; but think ahead to what an amazing reality that will be. Sin is at the root of hurt relationships, broken fellowship and hatred toward others. Sadly, these things are present in the Church at alarming rates. But here's the challenge: Think honestly about how you treat others. If you end up living with them in eternity, do you suppose that's how you'll treat them then? I think when we consider our ways now as we are in this corruptible state compared to our eternal state, we would see clearly how far off the mark we really are. We won't be bickering, falsely accusing, hating, back-biting, deceiving, lying, breaking fellowship or any such thing. Rather, we will be perfected in love and in constant fellowship with God and one another. We might find ways to justify our bad behaviors in this life, but we do not have God's justification for it. We are to be like a bride adorning herself for her groom. The bride is the Church, the body of Christ, and our groom is the Lord Jesus. Should we not seek to present ourselves without spot or blemish to the perfect Son of God? Why then do we live at odds with so many of the brethren and disobey the King's command to love one another? I think the Church has some growing up to do, and I speak to myself as much as any other. We all would be wise to grow into maturity in Christ.