Internal Explosions

 Internal Explosions

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3)

  I know you are thinking that this Post-Article is about church bombings. But what I would like to address is the constant conflict that goes on between the members of the body of Christ. I am going to speak on behalf of all the pastors out there (being one for almost 50 years) internal conflict is one of the most discouraging experiences in a Pastor's career. 

  In our text, James speaks to fellow Christians about the inner conflict, and the inner explosions, that take place within the Christian community. According to James, inner conflict begins, and inner explosions occur when our desires battle within us. Are they selfish desires? I would say so. Instead of looking out for the interests, and well being of others; we are looking out for the interests of ourselves. Because we don't get what we want, we fight and quarrel, and go to the extreme and kill. My question with James is: Did this actually happen in his time? Does it happen in our churches today?
With strong selfish desires, it is very possible. 

  Along with this, James adds, that when we ask God concerning our affairs, we ask with wrong motives. We ask that our selfish ambitions, and undertakings, be in line with what our will is for our lives, instead of what God's will is. And more than not, it is on how we can achieve those things that bring pleasure to our lives, instead of blessings for others.

  Internal conflict is everywhere. Internal explosions occur, and then leadership is left to pick up the pieces, and try to get things back on track with the will of God. But the solution lies with leadership, as they are to be constantly among the people of God, to squash these attitudes and actions of selfish desire.

  As God's people, we are to set an example for the world. Instead we have allowed the world into the church. And it's not always the large issues that divide us, but the pettiness, that gnaws at our unity, every time we gather together. 

  In closing, here is a question for us: 

"How can we teach all nations, if we haven't learned the lesson at home?" GP

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Walking In Conflict Or Love?

"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"(1 John 4:20) 

Where is there any place for hatred and conflict in the church? We as Christians profess to love God, who created us, and then redeemed us, and through His Son Jesus have the promise to eternal life. 

How can we say we love God, and then show hatred, and be involved in conflict with others brothers and sisters in Christ? When we do this we are showing to God, and to the world, that we are liars. God is love, and as fellow Christians, we are to walk in love. 

We are commanded to love each other as Christ loved us." (John 15:12) How can we think that our Lord will bless our churches, when we act like a bunch of liars. Is this language too strong? We are not called to be in conflict, we are called to walk together in love. 

Yes, there will be disagreements, as it is in every family. But when it comes to where we display selfish, negative, harsh, critical aggression towards other Christians, it is time to repent of these attitudes, and actions, or leave the Christian fellowship, and join the world, because that is the way of the world. 

I ask you: Are you walking in conflict,  Or walking in love? GP 

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Church Conflict

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:10) 

The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Christians at Galatia, about how they are to treat one another, in the body of Christ. "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5:14-15)

We see this in the world, but in the church? Oh yes, in the church!  

There have been times, when brothers and sisters in Christ have come to blows over (yes, minor issues) And the watching world is confused over our behavior.

As Christians, we are to show the love of Christ in our fellowship.
We are to show the world how wonderful it is to be apart of the family of God. In doing what the Apostle Paul instructs in our text, we will have the unity, and the stability, that the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to have.

When I look at what Paul says here, it is plain to see, that we must get rid of "self". We must stop thinking about ourselves, and devote our affections to the other members of the family. We are to honor one another above ourselves.

In this time in which we live, it is so important that we as Christians stand together. We have a common enemy that wants to divide us, and ultimately destroy us. The church will not go forward and grow, when we behave in such negative ways.

Look at Paul's list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21.
Is this what we want to see in our local Christian families? I think not!

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13) GP

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