Why You Must Forgive the Church
It’s popular to trash and ridicule the church.
Since we’re in a forgiving mood this month, I thought we should take a couple of days to talk about our issues with the church.
What is the church?
The contemporary definition of the word church is: 1. Building for public worship 2. Religious institution.
The Greek word for church is ekklesia, and it’s used in the New Testament 115 times. The meaning of the word ekklesia is: a group of people gathered together for a common purpose.
The “church” is people.
We expect church to be a perfect family . . . unselfish, caring, compassionate, and encouraging; where all opinions are welcome and no one’s feelings get stomped. I don’t know any perfect families. I don’t know any perfect people. Do you?
People are sinners. Sinners with different personalities, views, opinions, and passions. And people in churches are no exception.
The truth about any group of sinful people who gather together is . . . they will:
- complain about almost anything
- argue about change and traditions
- judge anything or anyone who fails to meet their standards
- fail to live up to their own standards
- compete for power, prestige, and popularity
- experience factions, moral failures, gossip, and pride
This was true even in New Testament times. when Paul wrote:
Regarding this next item, I’m not at all pleased. I am getting the picture that when you meet together it brings out your worst side instead of your best! First, I get this report on your divisiveness, competing with and criticizing each other. 1 Corinthians 11:17-18
Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:30-32
Since the first sin, people who gather together have problems, and….
We are commanded to forgive people no exception.
Remember Jesus words in Matthew 6:
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” v. 14-15
We began the month looking at the way God loves and forgives us. Then we talked about the importance of forgiving, even when the offense seems unforgivable. Last week we looked at how to forgive and handle difficult people – Annoying Annie, Whiney Whitney, Dreadful Driver Derek, and Rude Rhoda.
People like Annie, Whitney, Derek, and Rhoda make up the church. People like you. People like me. People who sin and people who we are commanded to forgive. We are the church.
You may have been hurt, betrayed, or even abused by someone in the church. Your feelings are real, raw, and understandable, but you must forgive. No exceptions. No excuses. Forgive . . . “just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Come back tomorrow when we’ll look at how….
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