Loved by God
How do we treat our fellow believers? Whether we are in a position of authority within a local church, or a born again believer seeking to serve God, what is our starting point? Sadly, all too often, we are quicker to tear down than to build up, we’d rather complain than compliment. The Bible makes it clear that our starting point for all relationships is our relationship with God. We are all ‘beloved brethren’!
Paul, as an apostle commissioned by Christ to build the Church was continually in conflict with those who sought to use the Church for their own selfish ends, as well as with those who through foolishness or fear retreated from or failed in their faith. In nearly all Paul’s letters, even when there is conflict to be resolved or theology to be righted there is a statement of thanks for the believers. 1 Thessalonians is typical. The crucial verse is 1:4. Paul can give thanks for the believers in Thessalonica primarily because they are loved by God and chosen by Him! The basis for our relationship with other Christians is the fact that they are ‘loved by God’ and ‘chosen by him’ – if God has set His love on someone, and chosen him for His own purposes then we must deal lovingly and graciously with them as the objects of God’s love.
We will never be without conflict within the Church – there will be disagreements and debates, issues of discipline and theology, questions over motive and method – but we must never lose sight of the fact that we are all living by faith in one God, labouring in the same love of one God, steadfast in our One Hope – the Lord Jesus Christ. So, let us give thanks for one another, for our faith, work, hope in Christ. Let’s encourage and build up in the Lord. Let’s see one another’s position as loved by God and chosen by Him as the foundation our relationships one with another. Then God will be glorified in His Church as He intends!
