As we’re dealing with the “one anothers” in the Bible, one statement that I hear often is how many Christians aren’t very nice. I understand the sentiment. But before you read further, please watch this short video by John Piper about that idea: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Cojv6xZc5/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
The video is important because Dr. Piper is correct. The stuff that gets the press these days is always the bad stuff. I said that to Jill this week when I read about a famous Christian author and teacher admitting to an eight-year adulterous affair. It was in the New York Times and other national publications. But do they ever run an article on the thousands of faithful pastors or Christian leaders? Not until they die, and then they give them a blurb.
My point is that ‘bad’ Christians always get the press. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease. We can’t stop watching trainwrecks. But what about the good things or the good Christian people who work to honor Christ, love their families, and serve their local church?
My good friend and one of our elders, Mike Keller, has always reminded me that the people who gripe the most are usually the people who give and serve the least. It’s very true. That’s what makes Piper’s comments so right on the money.
When we encounter a true Christian, one who is radically being transformed by Jesus, committed to obeying Him, and serving His mission, they’re not mean people. They’re usually gracious, humble, and kind. And if they did hurt us, one of two things happened: 1) they didn’t mean to, and they’d love to hear that they did, so they can seek our forgiveness, or 2) they told us the truth, and we didn’t like it. There could be more reasons, but these are the ones that I encounter most often.
I say that because avoiding relationships with people in the church is easy when all we hear or believe is bad press.
Now, please don’t misunderstand. I have seen and experienced some awful things from so-called Christians. But what I’ve also experienced is that when true Christian brothers and sisters are aware of what they’ve done, they not only ask for forgiveness, but they also seek to change. And…those who didn’t seek reconciliation later showed the true fruits of sin.
I believe this is what makes the ‘one anothers’ so challenging to live out and so powerful when lived out. There’s only one power in the universe that can help us treat others the way God has treated us in Christ. We don’t have it in ourselves, but God graciously gives it to us through His Spirit in the gospel. The work of the Spirit makes us more and more like Jesus. We become slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. We forgive, are kind-hearted, and gracious. We grow in our patience because He has been so patient with us. And we learn to sacrificially give without expecting it to be reciprocated.
An impossible situation that became possible:
Sunday, I mentioned Jacob and Esau as examples of biting and devouring one another. The part of Genesis 27 that caught my attention was when Rebekah warned Jacob with these words: “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you” (Gen. 27:42b). Esau comforted himself by planning to kill his brother. Let those words sink in.
Do you comfort yourself by plotting to gain revenge? Do you go to bed at night thinking anxiously about being proven right? Do you wake each morning longing for others to get the justice you think they deserve? That might be, not always, but might be the spirit of Esau. And it seems impossible to change.
But from Genesis 27:42 to Genesis 33, the Lord changed Esau’s heart. We don’t know how or when. Genesis 33 is the story of Jacob and his family traveling back home. He knows he will encounter Esau and he knows that Esau had sought to kill him. He’s terrified. Early in Genesis 33, Jacob sees Esau’s band of men riding towards them. So he positions his family for safety. But what happened had to stun him. In vs. 4, we’re told, “But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” What in the world? They were not only reconciled, but Esau also desired to give to Jacob whatever he needed.
So, dear Christian friend, can you think of a situation where you’re as angry as Esau was? Can you think of a situation where you’re as scared as Jacob was? Well, good news, the God of the impossible can do THAT type of work in you and the person who’s hurt you. Do you believe that?
Here’s what I would encourage you to start doing: start praying for the person where there’s an issue. Pray for their good, for their heart before God, pray for their success and joy, and pray that God would reconcile your relationship. And then be obedient to the ‘one anothers.’
Looking ahead:
This week, we will look at the command to encourage and build up one another from Hebrews 10:24-25. Luis will be preaching, and I’m looking forward to being in church and growing together with you.
Cheap Seats:
- This is hilarious. Every true fan knows how hard you try to help your team from home. I haven’t done this yet: https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=47584782&type=forYou&subType=verts&entity=NFL&entityIcon=https%3A%2F%2Fa.espncdn.com%2Fi%2Fteamlogos%2Fleagues%2F500-dark%2Fnfl.png
- We need more reporters like this in the world: https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/47584702
- Go Bills (sorry, Craig Warmouth and my Bronco friends), but I love me some Josh Allen. I’m a Seahawks fan for the postseason, but you’ve got to give Kyle Shanahan his due. That dude and his staff are having an incredible year of coaching.
Happy New Year!
Christ is King!
In Christ,
Dave York
