Weeds in the Garden of God
“I beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3
Unity! It is essential to the life of any church. Our fellowship has been greatly blessed with an unusual spirit of love and unity. Despite all sorts of differences, we have put aside pettiness, criticism, and conflict for the cause of Christ.
Yet Paul reminds us that we must “endeavor to keep” this unity. It is like the vegetable gardens many of us will soon be planting. It takes much work and constant vigilance to keep the weeds out. The weeds of conflict grow from the seeds of selfishness.
How can you “de-weed” your garden? You can:
1. Focus on the good in others.
2. Refuse to speak evil of another person.
3. Keep your love relationship with Jesus right.
4. Realize that the world doesn’t revolve around you.
5. Take the opportunity to serve someone else.
Cameron,
Great advice. It couldn’t be said any better.
T.A.
Thanks, Pastor Tim. Hope you’re having a great Lord’s Day. You are in my prayers.
I know of a preacher who seems to do all five of those and catches a lot of flack because he does preach against sin enough. I think some folks feel that you are not preaching the gospel unless you are negative.
Hmmm . . . I wonder who that could be?
I think it is possible to preach the Gospel, preach against sin, AND have a loving attitude while you do it. Unfortunately, there are those who perceive any stand against sin as “negative.”
Finding a Christ-like balance between purity and unity is never easy!
I am with you Cameron.. it is possible
Too bad many of those who “stand against sin” also “speak evil of ” those who don’t seem to “stand against sin” in the way that pleases them and their theological bent.