Script #22

Beloved,

This morning, in prayer, I was almost paralyzed by my tears and sorrow over the pain in our world, country, denomination, churches, families, and even on the corner of Lincoln and Main.

I recalled a terrifying/horrific paragraph from William Barclay's The Letter to the Romans (1955) about 16:17-20 that I first read back in 1976: "He picks out...characteristics of men hurtful to the Church and to the Christian fellowship.  They are men who cause dissensions among the brethren.  Any man who does anything which disturbs the peace of a church has much to answer for.  A minister was once talking to a man newly come to his congregation from another town.  The man had obviously little of the love of Christ upon him.  He said to the minister: 'You know such and such a congregation?' naming that of which he had formerly been a member.  'Yes,' said the minister.  'Well,' said the man with a certain evil relish, 'I wrecked it!'  There are people who take a pride in making trouble and who like nothing better than to sow the poisonous seeds of strife.  The man who has brought strife to any band of brothers will answer for it some day to Him who is the King and Head of the Church."

Selah.

Calvin was right; remembering he got it from Paul who got it from God.

We can't help ourselves.

We like to grumble, gripe, gossip, banter, bark, bite, beat, batter, and...butcher.

It's our nature.

Uh, that's why He said we must be born again and from above.

Blessings and Love!