A buddy of mine is always complaining about the antics of his wife. He asked me my secret to success in being able to stay married for 44 years. I responded that we both came to the realization that neither of us is perfect. She is not perfect, and I am definitely not perfect (or anywhere close). We choose to overlook each other’s idiosyncrasies and faults and focus on the positive.
The same is true for any relationship, including friends. You’ve heard the old expression, “He can dish it out but he sure can’t take it”. The secret to success in relationships is to lose the pride and realize that none of us are perfect and (gulp) that includes us. It is such a serious problem that Jesus took the time to personally address it. In Matthew 7:4 He said, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
I suppose when we are in this situation that it is exceedingly difficult for us to see much of anything, because of the impediment of having a “log jam” in our eyes.
I’m working as hard as I can in an effort to unite Christians and it is proving to be exceedingly difficult. In fact so many folks that I encounter are so convinced that they are right about every jot and tittle, and get in a foaming at the mouth rage if anyone disputes them, that it reminds me of my buddy and his wife contemplating filing for divorce over every little insignificant thing that occurs in their lives.
The National Rifle Association is a good example of those who have put aside their differences in order to achieve success in achieving a common goal. The organization consists of folks of every race, gender, and political affiliation including Democrats, Tea Party zealots, Atheists, Libertarians, Republicans, RINOS and winos. And yet they have put aside their differences and have remained unified and rallied around the 2nd Amendment “Right to keep and bear arms” and they have been successful in fending off the liberals and progressives because of their unity.
The NRA deems keeping their guns as being more important than steadfastly adhering to their own ideology. It seems that Christians could do likewise in the interest of pleasing God and in obeying His command that we become unified. 1 Cor. 1:10 – 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 . . .
But alas we each demand our own way and insist that fellow believers are wrong and we are right, and go stomping off into the wilderness going our separate ways and the body of Christ suffers.
Sigh . . . There is one Holy Bible, one God, and one church with Christ as its head, and yet dozens of denominations abound. Jesus did not ordain any of them and the early church didn’t even have them. They are man-made and not God-made.
So we argue our theology, politics, exude our egos and logos, and stay divided and satan licks his slimy reptilian lips and smiles as he watches us self-destruct and he continues to gain ground. The Bible states in Eph. 4:11 – It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
And it strengthens this logic in 2 Tim. 2:23 22 – Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged . . .
I have seen the aftermath of hurricanes and tropical storms. The stiff necked trees that do no bend will snap like matchsticks; however those gentle reeds that will gracefully bend and sway with the wind escape destruction.
Do you bend like a reed in the winds of adversity, or do you snap at the first sign of trouble?
Calm down you’ll live longer . . .
Staying married for 44 years or having friends for decades is easily achievable provided that the reed mentality is followed. The same holds true about attaining unity in the church. We just need to realize that it isn’t about us, but Jesus Christ.
Have a great weekend and go to Honey Lake Church this weekend and hear Dr. Brook Bello tell her story of redemption and delivery from sex trade slavery. If you can’t make that service, go somewhere and please pray for unity of Christians.
Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
August 8, 2014 – Click here to listen