April 8 Drama… Galatians 5:15-16
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:15-16)
Drama among fellow believers is one of the most difficult challenges of the pastoral ministry. In a perfect world, drama would not be associated with the church or any of its operations! Unfortunately, and sadly, we are not perfect, and we must deal with the reality of our human weaknesses! There are many ways that drama can start within the boundaries of the church family, such as gossip, slander, and hatred, selfish behaviors, hurtful words, spoken in anger, and absolute untruthful rumors, quick to judge, which are not a part of Christianity or behaviors that should be named among true Born-Again Believers. God hates fighting between Christians. Satan is using immature believers to create chaos and unrest within the walls of the church buildings, and he is using well-meaning individuals, who are actively engaged in “Church” activities! We must be careful to protect ourselves from being used by Satan to create issues among the Fellowship! My dear mother used to tell me that I must watch my motivations, actions, words, and my devotions, when I am serving within the church family! She would tell me that “Drama doesn’t just walk into your life out of nowhere, you either create it, invite it, or associate with people that bring it.” Dear Fellow Believers, listen to Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” FACT: It is difficult to deal with some people and it is challenging to work with some people, and it is a struggle to serve alongside of others, however, this is the way that it is, and this is all that we have! I truly believe that one question, taken seriously, and a commitment to fulfill, would stop 99% of the issues that the church faces, and the question is, “Is this situation, and my reaction to it, edifying to the Body of Christ and will it bring others closer to a relationship with Jesus or further away (It is not about US, it is about HIM)?” Are we serving God and promoting His Divine Will, or are we satisfying our own desires and using the old thought, “My Way or the Highway?” It breaks my heart when fellow professing believers demonstrate spiritually unhealthy behaviors and speak words that are hurtful, and many times untrue, and are so sensitive to the words and actions of others, ready to be “Offended,” at the slightest provocation! AGAIN, WHAT IS MOTIVATING YOUR ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORS? BETTER YET, WHO IS MOTIVATING YOU? As Pastor to one of the most amazing church families, it is not unusual for me to experience sharp, hurtful words that are spoken in anger, and presented with situations that are created by Satan to cause strife and chaos among the church family, and his attempt to stifle spiritual growth! One characteristic of spiritually unhealthy behaviors is the idea that “It Is Someone Elses Fault!” Unfortunately, this situation occurs more often than one might think, however, I THANK GOD that He has provided His Grace and His Armor so that I can continue to serve Him, with those who are not quite at the spiritual maturity level that I enjoy (We are called to continue to Grow in His Grace, DAILY)! I realize that this is going to be the “Reality,” but I continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will aggressively direct and correct those who are determined to “Do it My Way or I will Create a Storm!” Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The Disciples and others gathered in the upper room, and they were in unity in their desires to serve Jesus. Each different, each with different talents and skill levels, each with their own personalities and each with their own set of issues, yet they were in “One Accord” through their commitment and devotion to Jesus Christ! “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts1:13-14) Please, Please, Please let your motivations be noble, just, edifying, and honest! How we “Feel” is of little importance in the devoted life of service to our Savior! IT IS ABOUT SHARING HIS GOOD NEWS AND NOT OUR NARROW HUMAN VERSION! IF YOUR ACTIONS ARE MOTIVATED BY YOUR OWN PERSONAL DESIRES AND YOU ARE RIGID AND INFLEXIBLE IN YOUR POSITION, THEN BE PREPARED FOR STRIFE, CONFLICT AND DISHARMONY! For the sake of your witness, relationship, and the Honoring of our Savior, please spend time in PRAYER, real “Seeking God’s Will” PRAYER, and Avoid Conflict that is not edifying to the Cause of Christ! The World is Watching! Your Children are Watching! Your Grandchildren are Watching! More importantly, GOD is Watching! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!