12/04/2020 -
As brothers and sisters in Christ do we love one another as we should? Does this love spring forth from Jesus within us, and cause our faith to grow stronger as we exercise it? When we love, and are loved by others in Christ, we should thank God for this, and for them, because this is the light of our Savior shining forth from within us, and the love that God is giving us of Himself.
“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV
Over the past couple of months I have been attending a men’s group at a church near my home. The first evening I joined one of their gatherings we sat outside around a campfire (because of the Pandemic), and discussed a chapter from the book “Men on fire” by Stephen Mansfield, which deals with how men interact with church, and faith. The topic was one that I hadn’t studied quite like this before, but it quickly grabbed my attention. We covered subjects like why modern men are losing interest in the church, and how we can avoid this. Well, when I walked up to the fire I realized that I didn’t’ know any of these brothers, but they immediately greeted me with warmth, and as a fellow Christian brother... I was instantly loved as one strong man loves another, and thanked God for leading me to this gathering. After our meeting that night, and after every meeting since, I have thanked the Lord for them, and for whatever subject we studied together. I am thankful for both the topics, and these brothers because each has bolstered my faith, and associating with men who are manly in every way has truly blessed me, and allowed me to join with them in openly addressing the challenges that we face, as men of faith, every day.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
We need the association that meeting with the entire church provides, but men are men... women are women... and children are children, and as such we have particular spiritual shoes to fill, and duties to perform. We also have unique temptations we are susceptible to, and certain needs that must be filled. So we should give thanks for our church family as a whole, but we also need to gather with, and thank God for, our more specific group of men, or women. Scripture gives us these sexually delineated roles for a reason... we are not the same physically, emotionally, or, in some aspects, in the way we view religion (spirituality). Men need to discuss their limitations and challenges of faith with other men, and women need to do the same. In this way our faith grows more freely in its fullness, our love for one another is further enhanced and defined in accordance with scripture... our thanks is expanded, and given as God intended it to be, and the needs of our unique nature are met.
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
1 Peter 3:1, 7 ESV
Men thank God for their brothers in Christ, women thank God for their sisters in Christ, and both thank God separately for one another... husbands for wives, and wives for husbands. All of this without sacrificing the physical and spiritual role we have been given, along with the love and faith, which we find as we grow from the same vine... Jesus.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28 ESV
So, are we loving and thanking God in such a way that our faith is being increased, and our love for one another as Christians is being bolstered as well? Can we be different in color, race, custom, and yes as men and women, yet still love and be thankful for one another as one Christian body... all adhering to the commandments of God, and Jesus Christ?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the diverse roles we fill in the church, and in your creation. Thank you for the love for one another you encourage in us through your Son Jesus Christ, and for allowing us to praise you, and give you thanks for all our Christian brothers and sisters... the manly men, and feminine women; all unique and precious in your sight. Teach us how to worship you, love you, and serve you, in the roles we are occupying. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who’s creativity is astonishing, and who makes us different, even in our similarity. We are awe stricken that our DNA is almost identical, and yet each of your creatures is made so incredibly different; even as male and female! Praise your name Father for who you have made us, and the plan you have established for each of us, as sons and daughters, men and women, fathers and mothers, and as brothers and sisters of Jesus... all of us your children. Have mercy Father, and open our eyes to not only our differences, but our similarities, as we we thank you for each other. Gather us together to encourage one another as we seek to increase in faith, and love. Join us all together as one, and also in our small groups as men, and women to face our challenges. As we come together, hear our prayers offering thanks to you for the encouragement we receive from one another. Wash us clean of our sins Lord, applying the blood of Jesus, and calling us your children as you accept us home, and seat us at your table forevermore.
Rich Forbes