Dear Brother,
This is a true story from Africa: A local church pastor had become harsh, driving many of the congregation away. Some of the sincere men felt that something had to be done. They approached a most Godly, elderly man in their fellowship, urging him to take over to replace the pastor. He reluctantly agreed. While asleep that night, that saintly old man had a dream. He felt threatened as in the darkness over him, someone was coming toward him. Being fearful, he took his walking stick and began to strike out in the dark at the approaching figure. He wounded him many times, and blood began to drip on him, yet he kept coming closer. Then, with horror, he saw that the one he was striking was the Lord Jesus, Himself! He wept with repentance, asking forgiveness. “Why,” asked the Lord, “do you injure My Body, the Church?”
The old man awakened from his dream in the middle of the night and went to the home of every man who had asked him to replace the pastor. With tears, he asked their forgiveness and entreated them to pray with him. Several days later the pastor was miraculously transformed by the grace of God. Today it is a healthy growing church with a sense of humility and the tenderness of the Lord Jesus.
I’m writing to encourage you, brother, to see the Church as Christ’s Body. Let’s grasp the revelation, that God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23) Many a man has used words to attack a brother, unaware that he was really striking Jesus. Beware of, and avoid anything that would bring division within the Body of Christ.
There is no greater source of division in the Church than those who think that being right is more important than being faithful. Brother, pray for unity in the Church. Perhaps you and your apostle/pastor could talk about this? “Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” (Proverbs 13:10) We do not need to be right; we just need Jesus, for He is “the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6)
This week, let’s remember that Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) Surrendering to die daily means that we cannot fight fleshly battles any more. May the Lord bless you with His presence as His character is formed in you.
Bruce
