“A friend loves at all times,”- Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)

The beautiful thing about friendship is that it is timeless. Even if close friends have been separated by time and distance, the love and bond between them still remains. God has blessed me with such friendships and my prayer is that I will be a good friend to the ones He has given me. But friendships can often be fragile, and it is tragic when friends part under unpleasant circumstances. When harmful attitudes such as anger, jealousy, or impatience seep into the minds of friends even the most trivial of offences can separate the strongest of bonds. The consequences of allowing these attitudes to infiltrate our minds are painful and as we look back on the memories of broken friendships we are filled with regret wondering if things could have been different if we had simply not taken the steps we took.

All of us are but humans and as such we have been tainted by sin. Due to our fallen state, it is easy for us to give into harmful and destructive attitudes. Sin tells us that we must always glorify ourselves and insist on having our way at all costs. But in reality when we place ourselves before others, we have actually bowed our knee to sin and allowed it to sever our relationship with God and with those we care about. How then can we make sure that sin does not get in the way of our relationships?  The truth is that we can do nothing about it by ourselves, but only by the power of Christ working within us. When we have allowed His Spirit to enter our hearts and seek to conform ourselves to Him in our attitudes and actions, He will carry out his restorative work in our lives. As we turn our face to Him and away from ourselves, He will train us in His love so that His love will overflow from our hearts and into the lives of others. Bearing with one another in love is something that only Christ can help us accomplish and when we choose to abide in Christ, He will order our friendships so that life may abound and hearts be turned to Him.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects…” -1 Corinthians 13:6-7 (NIV)

Every day there is a Christian somewhere in the world undergoing persecution or hardship for their stand in Christ. Living in countries where corruption and tyranny are rampant, they must endure unspeakable torment and everyday is a fight against injustice and oppression. Some of their cases are reported by the mainstream media, but countless others are never brought into the light. However, there are organizations which fight to make sure that the stories and voices of these persecuted Christians are not silenced by the iron fist of their governments. Out of their love for the truth of Christ, and for those who stand up for it, these organizations risk much to bring awareness to the plight of the persecuted church. They assure them through tangible action that they have a voice and are supported by those who are praying for them and care about defending their right to exist and follow Jesus.

By the definition Paul gives in 1 Corinthians 13:6-7, love is not some passive feeling that keeps silent when trouble is brewing. Rather it will get itself involved and take the side of truth. When we have allowed Christ to enter our hearts and seek to know Him, He will give us a love for Him, which will then lead us to love His truth and to love those who speak His truth. What are we doing to defend our brothers and sisters when they encounter opposition for their stand in Christ? Do we remain silent, content with preserving our own reputation in the eyes of the crowd? Or will we join our voices with those who will do anything to speak life into the lives of others. Granted, it can be a hard decision at times for our instinctive human reaction is to lean toward the former. But when we lean on Christ and allow Him to strengthen us, He will give us the confidence to speak the truth in love so that we may be an encouragement and blessing not only to those who are thirsty to hear, but to those who are working towards the same goal as well.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” –John 13:35 (NIV)

Studying church history is quite fascinating. Yet it is also interesting to learn just how many times the church had to overcome factionalism in its history. Even from its early days the church had to deal with discord and schisms which erupted within its ranks on more than one occasion. Some of these disagreements even turned violent, and were in most cases motivated by personal or political reasons. As I read through the annals of church history I sometimes wonder whether I am reading about the same people who have been called by Christ Himself to love one another just as how He has loved us. It is no wonder that the disparity between the example of Christ and the behaviour of His children at times has become a source of confusion for many; prompting us to ask the question why does this happen?

If one thing can be said of the church it is that it has not survived for over two millennia because of the efforts of man. On the contrary it is because of the love of Christ and the grace which He shows to His church that it still stands strong today. The truth of the matter is that every single human being on this Earth is fallen. It is our pride embedded within us which leads us into sin and compels us to become embittered and fight against our fellow man. However, Christ came so that through Him our fallen nature will be cast aside and we will be restored to the people which He intended us to be. To this end He has given us a new nature through His resurrection characterized by His love and righteousness. But because we were slaves to our old nature for so long, we need to allow Christ’s Spirit residing within us to train us in our new nature and perfect His love in us. This means desiring to know Him and to know His heart by spending time reading His Word and being in His presence. Disagreements will happen, but if we choose to not keep in step with the Spirit of Christ, then factions and sin will be the result. It is only when we constantly submit ourselves in humility to Christ and allow Him to work out our His love through us that we are able to love others and maintain unity. The choice is ours. Will we allow sin to taint our witness for Christ, or will we allow Him to use us so that we may be His lights in a world which needs hope?

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.” –Numbers 11:17 (NIV)

Working together in a group setting can often come with its disadvantages. Conflicting personalities, differing expectations, and a lack of unity can not only serve to hinder productivity, but create a very unpleasant environment in the process. That is why we can sometimes be so loathe to working with others, fearing that our vision will not be realized and thinking that it would be better if we did not entrust others with our aspirations. But what a joy it is when people work together in unity! Grasping a common vision everyone diligently works together towards that vision no matter the disappointments and failures. When the successful end result is achieved every member of the group is satisfied, echo one celebrating the victories gained and congratulating each other on a job well done.

God has placed within each and every one of us a vision. Those good and pleasing plans and ambitions which we cherish come from Him who assures us that He works to give us hope and a future. However, we may not trust others with this vision and keep it to ourselves thinking that if we get others involved they will only ruin it for us. Yet what often is the case is that God has given us a vision that was not meant to be borne by ourselves. Rather, for it to be fulfilled He requires that we allow others whom He has strategically placed to help carry out His perfect will for us. If we jealously guard our dreams and desires, we turn them into idols that will only serve to hinder the work God is doing through us. But if we surrender every area of our lives to Christ, giving back to Him the desires He has placed in our hearts, He will lead us to others who have caught the same vision He has given us so that His will may be fulfilled.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” –Acts 17:26 (NIV)

Ethnic violence is still an ever present reality for many in the world. Even after the Holocaust, the civil rights movement in America, and the collapse of apartheid in South Africa, racial hatred continues to persist. The programs of one ethnic group to eliminate another, the bloody reprisals of the oppressed, together they form a cycle of bloodshed and injustice that is both tragic and horrifying. Faced with these issues, where do we begin to respond? We are all taught that racism in all its forms is wrong. But why is it wrong? Is it merely because it is a nasty and ignorant attitude to adopt, or is there a much deeper reason? To answer this question, one needs to look at humanity through the eyes of God.

Each and every one of us born into this world is created in the image of God. As an expression of His creativity, He has made us all unique; having varied physical characteristics and speaking different tongues. But these differences do not nullify the fact that before God we are all equal, both as cherished bearers of His image and as fallen creatures in need of His redemptive power. Like our forefather Adam, we have all chosen to rebel against Him and indulge in our sinful desires. This even includes turning against one another either in thought, word, or action, and in effect spitting upon those whom God has lovingly created. But God does not want us to be bound to our sin. He knows the destruction that it will cause both to ourselves and to the people around us. That is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ so that all, regardless of who they are, may come to Him and be saved from their sin. If Christ has shown such impartial love, what right do we have to withhold it from others? When we have allowed Christ to enter our lives and seek to conform ourselves to Him, we will see with new eyes. Through Him we will understand that all men are precious in His sight, each of whom God has a specific plan for, and in need of His grace.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“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 (NIV)

A lack of unity at a critical point has often decided the outcome of battles. The victorious army is the one which, despite the situation, maintains itself as a dedicated and cohesive fighting force. Its members do not simply run away or defect to the other side when confronted with danger or when it all seems like an uphill struggle. A loyal solider serves both the commanding officer placed over him, and his fellow comrades. He puts aside his personal conflicts with others so that they may fight together as one. The army which will lose however is the one where soldiers desert and fail to lend their aid when it is needed most.  Such an army will never win if its members fail to rally together and fight so that they may carry out their mission.

Sometimes we may become discouraged when we see people around us who profess Christ with their mouths but not with their hearts. We wonder why they do not seem to get it, and the temptation is to wish that we would withdraw away from their hypocrisy and ignorance. But it is in these moments when Christ calls us to allow His truth to shine all the more. Being reclusive will not help anyone. Instead it deprives both ourselves and others of the opportunity to be blessed by the work of Christ. As His children, we are called to stand together in one spirit, serving each other just as how Christ serves us. When we allow His Spirit to enter our lives and seek to abide in Him, He will direct our steps and attitudes. Guided by His Spirit we will know that the days are short and that we cannot waste time arguing and drawing ourselves away from each other. Rather when His love is being made manifest in us, we will be able to love and help build up those around us so that we may be the people of hope and righteousness Christ has called us to be.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” –James 3:16 (ESV)

Throughout history there are countless examples of political intrigue and assassination plots. In the vast majority of these cases the motivations are the same; jealousy and selfish ambition. It is human tendency to covet, to yearn after and seek to take something that does not belong to us. When such greed has taken over our hearts, we will go to any length to see that we obtain the object of our desire. That is why we see in the pages of human history, rival families squabbling over an earthly throne and leaders ousting leaders in an often highly violent fashion where every act of depravity and deceit is employed. What adds to this tragedy is that prolonged internal struggles for power ruins empires and kingdoms; rendering them ineffective and vulnerable to outside threats.

When we have allowed jealousy and an obsession over our selfish desires to gain a foothold in our hearts, nobody wins. Such attitudes only serve to degrade ourselves and destroy our relationships with others. “Ambition without love is dangerous” (Robert Schuller) If compassion is absent from us, we can guarantee that our envy and selfishness will cause destruction wherever we go and shatter our unity amongst each other. However, through Christ we can spare ourselves of this misery. When we have allowed His Spirit to enter in our hearts and carry out His redemptive work in our lives, He will fill us with His love. Christ will open our eyes to see ourselves and those around us as being created in the image of God and therefore precious in His sight. Our jealousy will be purged from us when we find our security and worth in Him, and rest in His faithful providence; enabling us by His Spirit to serve others and remain in harmony with God and with each other.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.