Inspirational Article From Joanne Lowe Index of Writings by Joanne Lowe on Gospel Web

WE ARE RELATED

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2: 18 – 22 King James Version

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a beautiful song that I love so much. It is called “GETTING USED TO THE FAMILY OF GOD”. We need to spend more time getting used to our brothers and sisters in Christ because we are all one family. All of us who have asked Jesus to forgive us and come into our hearts to be our personal Saviour and have been cleansed by the atoning blood that Jesus shed for our sins on the cross of Calvary are part of the family of God. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

A pastor friend of mine back in Oklahoma said many years ago in one of his sermons “You’d better start being loving, kind, compassionate, understanding and forgiving to one another because all Christians are going to spend eternity together.” The church had just finished a business meeting and there were a lot of disagreements over the finances of the church; how to spend the money. How that must have hurt our Heavenly Father to hear them quarreling in His house!

I have never forgotten what my pastor friend said that Sunday morning. Someone asked me if I ever get upset with anyone. The answer is yes. I am still in the flesh and as such it is only by the grace of God that I don’t react in a way that would hurt Jesus. We need to realize that just because we are Christians doesn’t mean that we are perfect and will never sin again or fail God. We are only sinners saved by grace. None of us are perfect. There was only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live, and His name is Jesus! I fail Him just like you fail Him. The person who says that he or she never does anything wrong is calling God a liar because He said that there is none that doeth good.

I have heard this comment many times over the years and have even read it in articles discussing relationships in families “It’s only natural for families to fight.” That is a lie straight from the pits of hell. It is not natural. God did not create us to argue and fight. We are to love one another. Loving one another is not an option; it is a commandment from God! We had better start loving one another so that one day when we stand before a Holy God, we won’t have to see the hurt look in His eyes.

Are you being kind and loving to your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you forgive them when they hurt you or do you keep an account of all the times they hurt you? Remember, you’re not perfect either. You hurt them also. If you want them to forgive you, then you had better forgive them. What would happen if God kept an account of every time we hurt Him? We would all be in serious trouble. Let’s start being loving, understanding, forgiving and kind to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Joanne Lowe

October 13, 2007

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