For instance, a few months ago I was deeply challenged to love my brothers and sisters more deeply as I studied Paul’s letters more closely. (You can read my post here.) Around the same time I was challenged to consider a brother in Christ who is very different from me in many respects (best I could tell from Facebook :) ). A man from my church asked me if I would consider meeting him for the purpose of getting to know him. M y first thought was excitement because I want to be married. My second thought was fear, however, because he does not come from the same theological background as myself. Thus, I began to seek the Lord in this matter. I was reminded of a pastor who asked rhetorically in a sermon I heard, “Is Christ compatible with himself?” The more I reflected on the truth that Christ’s Spirit dwells in all believers, the more I recognized my sinful attitude towards my brothers and sisters. I misunderstood the work of the Spirit and the different gifts he gives to all of us who believe. Now, I am beginning to see how much we all need each other in order to function well as the body of Christ. My strength is knowledge and this is a good thing, something even others might lack; yet, my weakness is compassion. See you, my friend, might be here to teach me compassion so that I might become more caring and loving towards others. I need you and I need others in order to be more Christ-like, because we each reflect a different aspect of Christ more clearly. Yet, together we can be balanced, not neglecting one truth in favor of another. My need for brothers and sisters who are different than me is evident and my love for them has increased tenfold. God has humbled me and shown me my pride and all through one crush on one boy!
Now, I never did meet that boy (in case you wondered), but my crush was not in vain. For it caused me to reflect on my view of the body of Christ and search the scriptures to find what was missing in my view. Which, in turn has increased my love of all brothers and sisters alike, regardless of denomination, and caused me to highly value them for the aspect of Christ’s character they reflect. I rejoice more fully with the Psalmist when he states, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore,” (Psalm 133).
Praise to God who uses whatever means necessary to teach us His truth and convict us of our sin! How wonderful it is to be free from my sinful fears and unloving attitude towards my brothers and sisters. Yes, he is a good God indeed!