Archive:
Month: November 2024

Living God’s Will

Sinners sin against each other, even in the body of Christ. Sometimes we wrong others. Other times, we are wronged. What we do next is critical to the unity of the church. Unity does not depend on the absence of sin but on the presence of reconciling grace. The preservation of unity depends on humble repentance and joyful forgiveness. Don’t be surprised when people hurt...

Christian Unity is God-Glorifying

The ultimate aim of our unity as Christians is the glory of God. That is, to worship, honor, and exalt Him with one voice. Listen to how Paul closes his letter to the Romans: May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father...

Love Like Christ

Love one another; as I have loved you. – John 13:34 – Christians, you also are to love one another not because of the gain that you get from one another but because of the good you can do for one another. I once heard a minister grumble about the Baptist denomination. He said, “I do not know what the denomination ever did for me.”...

Sharing without Dividing

Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” (2 Timothy 2:23) Beliefs about God are personal but not private. Christians are to share what we believe with nonbelievers and to talk about our faith with other believers. Yet talking about religion is notoriously divisive, so how do we share our convictions without causing unnecessary conflict? The Puritan pastor and peacemaker Jeremiah Burroughs offers...