The Mature Christian

The last post has got me to thinking of how little faith and lack of maturity in Christ that we church members have. We show it by all of the church hopping. When we leave a church because we do not get our way, it demonstrates our lack of maturity. When we leave a church because we don't like the new pastor as well as the old one, it demonstrates our lack of maturity. When we leave a church because someone has hurt our feelings, demonstrates a lack of maturity. When we leave a church because we may not particularly like some of its members, we demonstrate a lack of maturity. If we cannot love in the church what makes us think we can love people outside of it?

Our love for God will prove insincere,
Our love for the world will prove ineffective,
until our love for one another proves indisputable.

Black, White, Asian, and all other nationalities must be able to love,worship and work together. Blue collar and white collar, management and labour must be able to worship together. Rich and poor, contemporary and traditional, old and young must learn to worship together. Paul makes it clear in Ephesians that there are no walls in Christ Jesus. If we cannot love in the church what makes us think we can love people outside of it?

My church has gone though and is going through the same struggles that most other churches do. The church has had four pastors in seven years. We are working through, like most churches, having contemporary and traditional forms of worship. The church has a large senior citizen membership as well as a growing younger membership. Through it all members have come and gone. People who were close to each pastor have left. People have left because of the difficulties inherent in having contemporary and traditional services. But through it all there are also members who have stayed and continued to do the work of the church. They have chosen to remain and love all even when they disagreed with the decisions that were made. They are mature Christians. If we cannot love in the church what makes us think we can love people outside it?

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10