Faith Well Grounded

I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It’s painful. It sometimes keeps me from doing even the simplest of tasks, like tying my shoes, or playing ball with my son. At its worst, it keeps me from doing what I’m here to do—be a good father, husband, employee, etc… It’s so fierce and debilitating because it’s actually my body attacking itself. My immune system mistakes my joints and organs for intruders and attacks them.

I see a lot of spiritual rheumatism in the church these days. I see the members of the body attacking one another as if they’re intruders, and it's probably because I have seen it in myself that I see it so clearly. It’s happening between denominational lines, and even within single churches. We all seem to have this image of exactly what a Christian should be, and anything that differs from that, we mistake as an intruder and attack. We hold others in the body to standards we know fully well we aren’t living up to. If we find any failure or short-coming, we attack with a vengeance, fully aware that we are hiding our own failures and shortcomings.

How will Christ’s body ever perform the work it is commanded to if the body is attacking itself? Let me tell you, Church, get over yourselves and do what your Master tells you to do. Love one another. Love the poor and needy, the lost, the sinners, even your enemies, because God loved you even when you were His enemy. He loved you when you were hostile to Him. Are you too selfish to follow His command and example?

If someone comes to your church that looks or acts differently than you—be it hairstyle, clothes, race, nationality, denomination or creed—welcome them and love them. Love them so much that it is a reflection of the undeserved love shown to you. If you find one of your brothers or sisters fallen or failing, remember the last evil thought, desire or deed in you. And I’ll go as far as guaranteeing you it wasn’t long ago that you did/had it. You love that brother or sister as a fellow recipient of God’s grace, and minister healing to them to make them healthy again.

My fellow body, let's stop giving God rheumatism. Stop the pain and inflammation so that we can get back to His business—spreading the gospel and being a proper reflection of our Lord. I'll start the cure in myself. This little member of the body is now healed of rheumatism.

At least spiritually, anyway...

Blessings to you all…

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