Family in Christ

In the entire time in ministry, I have seen lots of undesirable things happen. Back-stabbing, strong dislikes and even discrimination, people who looked out for themselves, I've seen an entire ministry up to 50 strong crumble and it's members separated and divided, I have seen people manipulating each other, people disobeying their leaders and thus you see rebellion and leaders are demoralized etc etc.

Throughout the course of history, we see people and all kinds of sin with them. Jesus died for us all. Yes, for everyone. And He calls us to die to ourselves too and carry the cross so we can share in His suffering and later share in His Glory. Why are people in ministry doing all these then?

I saw a person in ministry walking away from my group after cursing and swearing it saying it is good for nothing. Such anger jus because his/her idea of it has not been met. It started off from another leader wanting to allow another of our ministry brothers into the group, seeing that he needs a good community. Is it wrong to reach out? Is a ministry suppose to remain the same size and not grow? Why oppose God's will or His leaders whether or not someone else should enter a group? Why so against the one person who offended you? Why discriminate a person Jesus died for?

Popularity, lust, manipulation, destroying another's reputation, jealousy, envy, anger, deceitfulness... My friends, brothers and sisters, all this is to destroy the unity and family in Christ. When a kingdom fights against itself, it will not last. Instead we're called to love one another.

What does it mean to love? Love is not that very warm fluttering feeling you get (that's affection, one of the expressions of love), it is the fact that you wish for the best to someone even when that person has hurt you to your guts. You want true love, find it from the person who dares to hurt you for your own good and still sticks to you and believes in you even when you screwed up. Where is best? Family. It is the place of true love and definitely full of forgiveness as all of us are created differently.

When you want to call someone your loved one, or brother or sister, be prepared to forgive. Forgiveness is a definite sign of love. We cannot avoid hurting each other, but we can choose to forgive and continue on. God called us to be a family of believers. Brothers and Sisters in Christ because we eat of His Body and Drink of His Blood in Mass.

In ministry, I have offended many and many have offended me. Those who remain, I have grown very close. One such person is Samantha. I realized just last Saturday. We fight over each other's methods of doing things, we fight over each other's beliefs. But we always forgave, we kept working together, we share good times as well. And on Saturday, I realize I trust her most to play guitar for worships I lead. Because we know how each other function, we work well together in the Spirit. I knew what she needed, she knew what I needed. Hand signals, styles and all...

So let's be tolerant of one another, loving and forgiving one another. Be on the same side, look at others as better than yourself, work together in humility and let the world see. That Christ is all about love. Hate the sin, love the sinner.

See how many Scriptural passages there are talking about it. It is obvious the seriousness and importance of this matter. So let's do our best and live as Jesus commands.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:9-11

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12