“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
What makes the church work? A focus on others instead of ourselves!
“Compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience”—every one of those words reflects a focus away from self, a focus on other people. In fact, none of the things in this passage could describe a self-centred person.
So we could answer the opposite question, too: What stops the church from working like it should? Self-centred people!
Are you frustrated with your church? Ask yourself, what am I bringing to my church? Do I approach church with a mindset that focuses on others or on myself? Remember Jesus’ example: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
Today God wants you to allow him to meet all of your love-needs, so that you’re free to give love in your relationships with others. Put on what he suggests, so you don’t feel put upon: “Put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
For the iPhone app and more from John North and Ambassadors For Christ International, click here.