There is a greater threat to the Church than governmental overreach or forced compliance to unwanted mandates. That greater threat is a loveless life.
John addressed this subject in his first letter “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them” (I John 3:14-15).
If we are honest with ourselves, other brothers and sisters in Christ can upset us because they see the same situation as we do but through what we would consider a damaged lens. At first, we are shocked that other believers could be so foolish. “Can’t you see what I see!”
This conflict happens on both sides of any opinion. Unless we capture those thoughts and take them to the foot of the Cross, we will consider other believers who hold a different worldview from ours as the enemy. Once someone is defined as an enemy combatant, we consider it our duty “to kill” the opposing opinion and destroy the credibility of the person who holds that opinion.
“Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart” is a hard word. It is hard because early on in our decline from love to hate it is incomprehensible that we would ever become such a loveless person. That is why we must manage the condition of our hearts 24/7 or a heart of murderous contempt will surely rise and take control producing death, not life.
A timely and courageous word, Garris!
Jesus predicted that in our (latter) days, widespread lawlessness (iniquity) would cause the love (Agape) of most believers to grow cold. Paul further warned Timothy that people would lack “natural affection” but would love themselves, money, and pleasure.
It takes a firm resolve and daily intimacy with Jesus to stay healed from the daily wounds of daily living, and keep our faith firmly rooted and grounded in love.