My husband and I usually sit in the third row at church but once a month, because I help out with the overheads, I sit in the back. Today was my turn. Sitting all the way in the back gives you a whole different perspective. With my bird’s eye view of the room I kind of quietly surveyed the gathering. From the worship team, to the ushers, to those ministering to the children, to the pastors and the elder (we only have one!), to those seated in the pews — what fragile and broken vessels were present in this little assembly!
Yet, despite this reality, which is certainly not unique to my fellowship but characteristic of the body as a whole (I Corinthians 1:26), we are commanded in Hebrews 10:25 not to neglect meeting together but to encourage one another. In other words, there can be no growth in Christian grace apart from communion with the saints. This command was written, most likely to a church in persecution in which some members were abandoning meeting together. Not only were they not being instructed but they could not exhort one another. As a consequence they were not being strengthened. They were missing out on mercies that will only flow through God’s chosen means, the church.
As wonderful as I’d like to think myself, I know that I am not exactly a bargain to the church God has called me. I come to the table with all sorts of weaknesses for which I am grateful my brothers and sisters don’t toss me out. And, despite all of the problems that I may be keen to identify in my fellow brothers and sisters, I won’t throw them out either. God has called us to unite in love in order to worship Him.
Weaknesses, errors, faults, problems — they are all pretty easy to detect. Everybody has them. But what sets the church apart is not our criticism of one another but rather that we are subject to a greater law – the law of love. Galatians 5:14 tells us, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
I titled this post “Are you criticizing or interceding” because it occurred to me today that one of the greatest expressions of love for our fellow brothers and sisters is prayer from a pure and caring heart. In other words, if you see an area of my life where I falter or miss the mark, will you pray for me, or will you criticize me? If you discern a weakness, will you stand in judgment of me, or will you intercede on my behalf because you love me? Will you carry my burden for me to the throne of grace, or will you cast me aside? If I say something stupid and thoughtless, will you write me off or broadcast it so that everyone else knows? Or, will you cover me and pray for me? Will I do the same for you as my brother or sister in Christ? Will I treat you with charity and benevolence even when you are at your worst? Will patience and loving-kindness mark my dealings with you? Imagine treating the very bride of Christ with harsh and brute hands? I tell you one thing, I would not want to be the one to face God on judgment day having mistreated one of God’s own! And remember, according to Jesus it’s not just the action that matters but the heart. Just because you don’t say it out loud, thinking it is enough, for it is the heart that defiles a man and makes him unclean (Matthew 15:18).
I Corinthians 13:7 says “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Isn’t that the underlying principle that you want people to have in their dealings with you? Then let us, by faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit, extend this love and grace to those whom God has called us to worship and labor alongside.
Sister … I love you and thank God for you. I thank God for your wisdom, your guidance, your heart & your friendship …. weaknesses & all!
Awwww….thank you, Maria! I so love you, too!
You said: “If you discern a weakness, will you stand in judgment of me, or will you intercede on my behalf because you love me? Will you carry my burden for me to the throne of grace, or will you cast me aside? If I say something stupid and thoughtless, will you write me off or broadcast it so that everyone else knows? Or, will you cover me and pray for me? Will I do the same for you as my brother or sister in Christ?”
Yes, Yes, No, Yes, I pray you will!
God Bless you sister!
Thank you, Fom! God bless you, too! : )
Beautiful post, Christina. I LOVE the Body of Christ more and more. And as my love for the Body has grown, so has my love for her individual “parts”. Thanks for this reminder to be in prayer for those “parts” that are weak and wounded and yes, even “stupid”. I sure want the same grace extended to me when I act or speak in foolishness.
I love you, sweet sister Christina.
Christina this was wonderful! I am such a work in progress, and I am learning (slowly it seems) to be slow to judge but quick to offer mercy. Patience is not a virtue that comes naturally to me, and God, in treating me with patience is teaching me to extend that grace to others. This post is a wonderful reminder that indeed we are a family…and in the family of God we are called to a higher standard of love. We are loved much and we are to love much, without strings to our Brothers and Sisters. I am always reminded of Jesus telling the disciples how many times to forgive a Brother….God’s perfect standards should not intimidate us, they should challenge us to be as loving and selfless as possible. Boy do I have a long way to go! 🙂 Thank you for putting this at the top of my to do list today. Love to you my precious Sister!
Well…you can be sweet and say all those humble things about you not being a “bargain.” But I’ll tell you what I see…I see faithful, kind, generous, compassionate, humble, considerate and brave, written all over you. To me that’s one heck of a bargain, in fact I’m gonna call you a “steal.”
Christina, this is just wonderful! Oh, that we would all remember take this mindset with our adopted siblings. Thank you for this sweet reminder, sister. Much love to you!
I was convicted of this very thing recently. Criticism comes so easily but prayer does not. How much I need to learn!
Christina, thank you for speaking the truth in love! I pray never to forget all the undeserved grace I’m given! Therefore, I want to intercede and not judge; carry others’ burdens and not condemn; pray and speak the truth in love and not discourage; consider others better than myself and not gossip… Oh, but I need so much help!!! Thank God for His grace, His church, and the love and prayers of brothers and sisters like you! Much love to you for posting this awesome reminder!
SO TRUE! I have been thinking too about those times when someone shares their heart with us and we say we are going to pray for them, for their needs and we forget to do that! We should be mindful and remember our brothers and sisters in prayer.
I am grateful for you!
How very true this is, maybe we all need to sit in the back row once in awhile.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this post and for your encouraging and VERY funny comments!
I love you all dearly and pray God’s richest blessings upon you!
Just got back from Birmingham and read this. How very convictng was the thought that occurred to me: As convicting as your article was, dear sister, I wondered how many of us have fallen short in this truth more times than we will honestly admit and confess… even unto God, who sees the thoughts and intents of every soul.
May my sinful shortcomings come to me as often our merciful King allows; and may He ever grant my daily prayer that i may stand in His pulpit with humility and stand among men with gentleness. displaying God’s grace, upon grace.
Thank you for publishing such a thoughtful post.
Guilty as charged, Christina! Wonderfully edifying post, my friend. I was just thinking on this the other day, realizing that I can tell much about the state of my relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ when I’m very critical of them. I’m learning to pray more and criticize less, and you’re right, I hope everyone else would be as patient with me. I’m not a bargain, either.
Love you!
Reading this today, after a week of discussing exactly this issue on FB, I am so thankful for this beautiful reminder you’ve posted, Christina, that yes, indeed, we are subject to a greater law, the law of love.
Thank you so much for this real encouragement in Him.
Love to you, Diana.