138. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (e) – For a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, it needs to grow strong in Christlike compassion.

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In Meditation 136 we saw that for a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, growing in pure Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, is a first requirement. Today we want to meditate on the importance of maturing in Christlike compassion. Actually, compassion is an expression of deep love and an intense feeling of distress for the need and suffering of others. This heartfelt identification with the deprivation that others experience gives incentive to alleviate the pain. This is another requisite a church needs for ‘growing strong in the Lord’.

Let us first see how the Bible speaks about compassion as one of the most dominant character traits of God and as a powerful manifestation of His deep love for us.

The tender compassion of our Triune God

In the Bible our Triune God reveals to us that compassion is one of the traits of His character. We read in Exodus 34:6** that “God passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness...”

God’s tender compassion is lauded throughout the Old and New Testament: 

King David (11^th century BC) reminds us of it in his Psalms:

-- “You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15**)

-- “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” (Psalm 145:8**)

-- “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” (Psalm 103:8**)

An anonymous Psalmist writes:

-- “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.” (Psalm 116:5**)

The disobedient prophet Jonah (c. 8^th century BC) prayed to God while being upset about His love for the rueful city of Nineveh: “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:2**)

The prophet Micah (c. 8^th century BC.) intercedes on behalf of God’s people Israel: “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry for ever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as You pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.”

(Micah 7:18-20**)

The priest Zachariah spoke about God’s compassion when he prophesied about the coming of Jesus Messiah, the Lamb of God: "And you, my little son (i.e. John the Baptist), will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord (Jesus). You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's tender mercy (or, compassion), the light from heaven is about to break upon us...” (Luke 1:76-78*)

The apostle Paul lauds God for His tender compassion with us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles...” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4**)

Tender compassion is one of Jesus’ main characteristics: 

The evangelists tell us more often about Jesus’ tender compassion for others in distress:

-- “When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36***)

-- “When Jesus went out (of the boat) He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14***)

-- “Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way..." (Matthew 15:29-32**)

-- “A funeral procession was coming out as He approached the village gate. The boy who had died was the only son of a widow, and many mourners from the village were with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don't cry!’ He said. Then He walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ‘Young man,’ He said, ‘get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk to those around him! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Luke 7:12-15*)

Regarding Jesus' tender compassion, the book of Hebrews encourages us by saying: “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15**) 

Only God’s Spirit can produce Christlike tender compassion in my church

In Meditation 136 we saw that at heart we are all disobedient rebels against God’s laws and commands. We go our own way and do our own thing. That’s why we need reconciliation with God through Jesus’ death and resurrection and through the gift of His Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. Only then can we start to talk about God’s transformation of our church into Christlike tender compassion!

Jesus’ tender compassion lives in the apostle Paul

The apostle Paul testifies to the church in Philippi (Greece) that his love and tender compassion come from Jesus Christ: “God knows how much I love you and long for you with (or, in) the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:8*)

Paul declares again and again that Christ lives in him by His Spirit. It is He who accomplishes His work in the apostle so that he can serve God in a new way:

-- “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20*)

-- “Now we have been released from the Law (of the Sinai Covenant), for we died with Christ, and we are no longer captive to its power. Now we can really serve God, not in the old way by obeying the letter of the Law, but in the new way, by the Spirit.” (Romans 7:6*)

Jesus’ tender compassion in the life of the church

Jesus promises on the night before His death that - after His Ascension - the Triune God will come and live in all those who love and obey Him: “All those who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and live with them.” (John 14:23*)

The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the fact that the Triune God lives in them:

“Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16*)

Paul shares the deepest desire of his heart with the churches in Galatia (Turkey) when he writes: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you...” (Galatians 4:19**)

So we know that our Triune God lives in every church that consists of God’s reborn children. And we know that His Spirit has the task to form Jesus’ character in the church. What an awesome mission God’s Spirit has to transform our churches into communities filled with Christlike tender compassion!

Because God’s Spirit lives in the church, the apostle Paul encourages the church in Colosse (Turkey) to grow in Christlike tender compassion: “As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion...” (Colossians 3:12**)

Paul writes to the Ephesian church: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32**)

He persuades the church in Philippi (Greece) to grow in Christlike tender compassion: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4**)

The apostle Peter speaks to the heart of the church when he writes: “All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8**)

From what I wrote in this meditation, it is clear that Christlike tender compassion is not a natural capacity of any church family. We desperately need the transforming work of God’s Spirit in our hearts and our churches to grow strong in the Lord and fill us with Christlike tender compassion. Only then a healthy and multifarious church will be able to deal effectively and in a Christlike way with all the suffering and need it meets among its members and in the world around.

Let us close this meditation with some challenging questions:

1.  Does my church family have a clear divine vision on what it means to grow together in Christlike tender compassion?

2. Does my church family have leaders who share that vision with the congregation and exemplify Christlike tender compassion to the church?

3. How strong and what way does Christlike tender compassion function practically within my church family?

4. How committed is my church family to Christlike tender compassion to those in need outside our own Christian community? 

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see meditations 27-33 and 49-55.

About  “God’s major project: Transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ”, see meditations 44-48.

About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 56-62.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see meditations 101-130.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see meditations 131-137.

137. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (d) – For a church to grow strong in the Lord and in Christlike love, it must meet the requirements for growth.

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

In Meditation 133 we read that a healthy congregation is in all likelihood a mix of Christians from different age groups and different cultures, with different characters, different likes and dislikes, different educational backgrounds, different professions, different skills, different gifts, different experiences, different ‘levels’ of faith (from new converts up to mature believers), different degrees of commitment, etc. Hopefully, such a church will welcome interested outsiders in their midst as well.

In Meditation 136 we saw how pure Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, practically looks like in a church. I finished that Meditation with the question: how could true Christlike love ever permeate a church completely as every church on earth consists of ‘saved sinners’? Is that not an unrealistic church concept which is not worth trying to achieve?

I think that if a church wants to grow ‘in the Lord’ and in mature Christlike love, there are several factors which need to be in place:

(1) Firstly, it needs a vision given by God’s Spirit. In Meditation 64 I wrote: “Without a Spirit-given vision on a certain matter, based on the knowledge of God’s Word and shared by the whole church, there is no Spirit-given unity on that matter, even if there are plenty of Bibles around.” Therefore, I believe that our churches are in need of:

A clear corporate vision seen from God’s eternal vantage point.

(a) God’s Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom

Our churches need to be aware of the fact that God’s Kingdom is not a promised reality for the future only. God’s Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom. It always has existed and always will exist. God’s revealed Word, i.e. the Bible, contains innumerable texts that speak of the eternal dominion of our Triune God. Here are three examples: 

-- “Your throne, O LORD, has been established from time immemorial. You Yourself are from the everlasting past.” (Psalm 93:2*)

-- “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.” (Psalm 145:13**)

-- “About the Son (Jesus Messiah) He (God the Father) says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of Your kingdom.” (Hebrews 1:8**)

 (b) A short history of ‘God’s Messianic Kingdom People’, saved by the sacrificial death of Jesus Messiah

In Romans 8, the apostle Paul teaches the church in Rom about God’s eternal plan for His people that exist of messianic Jews and Gentiles. God has called and saved them by His grace out of the bondage of sin to follow His Son Jesus Messiah as their Saviour and Lord. God’s plan started with His eternal covenant and promises to Abraham and was finally executed by God’s Son Jesus Messiah. God’s ultimate goal is to see His people being transformed into the likeness of His Son and receive their inheritance which is God’s eternal Kingdom. Here are some verses that speak of this eternal plan of God:

    

-- “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30***)

-- “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds", meaning many people, but "and to your Seed", meaning one person, who is Christ.....  

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:16 and 26-29**)

-- “Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure. ... He is so rich in kindness that He purchased our freedom through the blood of His Son, and our sins are forgiven... God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to His good pleasure. ... Furthermore, because of Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us from the beginning, and all things happen just as He decided long ago. ... And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us everything He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people.  (Ephesians 1:4.5.7.9.11.13.14*)

-- “... Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27**)

-- “We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same mighty power that He will use to conquer everything, everywhere.” (Philippians 3:20-21*)

-- Then the King (Jesus) will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34*)

-- “We (the apostle Paul) pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For He called you into His Kingdom to share His glory.”

(1 Thessalonians 2:12*)

-- “Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” (1 John 3:2*)

So, as far as the presence and future of our churches are concerned, we learn from these texts that:

-- God’s eternal plan consists of transforming our multifarious churches by His Spirit into the likeness of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!

-- God intends all good and bad things that ever could happen to our churches to work together for bringing about that Christlike transformation.

-- All church members who are saved by Christ’s sacrificial death and reborn by His Spirit have been called into God’s eternal Kingdom to share His glory. That has been God’s eternal plan and is His promised inheritance. What a vision!

(2) That leads us to the second requirement. If a church wants to grow ‘in the Lord’ and in Christlike love, it needs a clear corporate acknowledgement that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word. It is only this Word that His Spirit uses to transform our church into the image of Christ:

  

A clear corporate acknowledgment that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word, i.e. the Truth.

There are hundreds of Bible verses that testify to the fact that the Bible is God’s revealed Word. Here are four examples that not only attest that God’s Word is the truth, but also that it has the power to change our churches into Christlike communities:   

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.”

(2 Timothy 3:16-17*)

“The Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.” (Hebrews 4:12*)

“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4**)

“(Jesus Christ) is the One who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of His Body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:11-15*)

We have spoken about the necessity of a clear corporate vision seen from God’s eternal vantage point and the importance of corporate acknowledgment that the entire Bible is God’s revealed Word.

(3) A third requirement for our churches to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ and in Christlike love is the need for Christlike leaders who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word. It is clear that Christlike leaders never will be perfect, sinless people. Like all church members, they are Christians who know the daily need for God’s forgiveness and grace. Yet, they have learned how to devote themselves to be close to God, like His mouthpiece Jeremiah says: “Their leader will be one of their own; their ruler will arise from among them. I will bring him near and he will come close to Me, for who is he who will devote himself to be close to Me? declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 30:21**)

  

Church leaders who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word.

  

Meditation 65 deals with the importance of Spirit-guided leaders in the church who are bearers of God’s vision and exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word. Without such leaders our churches will miss a unified and clear vision of God’s purpose for our churches. Equally, they will miss the example of Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word. I think that the question how to form such Christlike leaders is of utmost importance to all churches, Bible seminars, theological faculties and Christian organisations.     

I think that the following hallmarks are characteristic for Christlike church leaders:

(a) Christlike church leaders are solely appointed by our Triune God:

The Bible is clear about the fact that God Himself appointed the leaders of His people Israel in ancient times. Here are 2 examples:

-- “... I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you.” (Deuteronomy 1:15**)

-- “I will give you leaders after My own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15*)

In his letter to the church in Ephesus (Turkey), the apostle Paul testifies that God the Son nominates the leaders to God’s people: “He (Jesus Christ) is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11*)

The apostle Paul declares in Acts 20:28 that God the Holy Spirit appoints the leaders of God’s people: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” (Acts 20:28**)

(b) God wants Christlike church leaders to care for God’s people like good shepherds:

God calls the leaders whom He has chosen for His people shepherds: “I will appoint responsible shepherds to care for them..." says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:4*)

The apostle Paul charges church leaders with the following words: “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He (Jesus Christ) bought with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28**)

The apostle Peter implores church leaders to care for God’s people like good shepherds care for their flock: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4**)

(c) Christlike church leaders model themselves on our Triune God who is ‘the Good Shepherd’:

David testifies in his famous 23^rd Psalm that God cares for him like a good shepherd: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.” (Psalm 23:1*)

Isaiah prophesies that God the Son, the promised Messiah, will care for His people as a good shepherd: “The Sovereign LORD is coming in all His glorious power. He will rule with awesome strength. See, He brings His reward with Him as He comes. He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.” (Isaiah 40:10-11*)

God promises by mouth of His prophet Ezekiel to save His people from harm like a good shepherd would do: “I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. ... I will feed them, yes-- feed them justice!” (Ezekiel 34:12 and 16*)

Jesus Messiah, who is God the Son, testifies of Himself: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ... I know My own sheep, and they know Me” (John 10:11 and 14*)

The book of Hebrews as well as the apostle Peter point to Jesus Messiah as the good shepherd:

-- “May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with His blood. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20*)

-- “Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25*)

(d) The Church should follow its Christlike leaders:

A church that desires to grow in the Lord and in Christlike love, will obey and imitate their Christlike leaders:

-- “Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.” ( Hebrews 13:7*)

-- “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17**)

-- “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13*)

Obviously, there are more factors that need to be in place if a church wants to grow ‘in the Lord’ and in mature Christlike love. Yet, I think that the earlier mentioned requirements are of the utmost importance.

Let us close this meditation with some challenging questions:

1.  Does my church family have a clear divine vision on what it means to grow together in Christlike love?

2.  Does my church have leaders who are bearers of God’s vision?

3. Does my church family acknowledge that the entire Bible is God’s Word and therefore divinely revealed truth?

4. Does my church family have leaders who exemplify Christlike love for and obedience to God’s Word?

5. Are the leaders of my church family solely appointed by God?

6.  Do the leaders of my church family model themselves on our Triune God who is ‘the Good Shepherd’?

7.  Do the leaders of my church family care for our congregation like good Christlike undershepherds?

8. Does my church family follow her Christlike undershepherds?

I wonder if a church is able to grow strong in the Lord and in Christlike love if the earlier mentioned requirements for growth are not entirely met.

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see meditations 27-33.

About “God's major project: Transforming me and my church into the likeness of Chris”, see meditations 44-48.

About “Personal, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 56-62.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’, see meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my life?”, see meditations 101-130.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see meditations 131-136.

136. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY CHURCH? – Interruption (c) – For a church to ‘grow strong in the Lord’, it needs to grow strong in Christlike love for God and each other.

In the current meditations we reflect on the question: is the full armour of God of which Paul talks in Ephesians 6:10-17 only meant for individual Christians or also for the local church as a whole? Does God’s armour only protect Christ’s life in us personally against Satan’s assaults? Does it equally protect Christ’s life within the local church which is the Body of Christ? So far we have seen that Jesus wants to manifest His life in our churches through our passionate love for God and for each other. We have realized that God’s Spirit is well able to produce this Christlike love in our hearts and in our congregations. However, the question remains: how do we protect Jesus’ life in our churches against Satan’s attacks? The apostle Paul encourages the church in Ephesus (Turkey) to “be (or: grow, become) strong in the Lord...” (Ephesians 6:10**). In the present meditations we ask ourselves: how does a church that wants to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ practically look like?

If our churches want to grow strong ‘in the Lord’ and want to learn how to imitate Christ, I think we need first to talk about how our churches grow strong in a corporate Christlike love for God and our fellowmen.

  

My Church and its Corporate Christlike Love for our Triune God

In the Meditations 63 to 100 we reflected in depth on the theme of my church and its corporate Christlike love for our Triune God. Therefore, there is no need to repeat this subject here again.

My Church and its Corporate Christlike Love for our Fellowmen

In this meditation we need to see what God’s Word says about my church and its corporate Christlike love for our fellowmen. How does my church model itself on Jesus Christ? Please consider the following points:   

(a) Love is the most characteristic trait of our Triune God: Father, Son and Spirit

If my church wants to learn how to imitate our Triune God, it needs first of all to know something about God’s main character trait, i.e. His love for us. Here are a few verses, chosen from the many biblical texts that speak of God’s love for us.

-- God’s love is an abounding love. God reveals Himself to Moses (ca. 13^th century BC)  saying: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7**)

-- God’s love is a saving love. In numerous texts in the Old Testament we read about God’s great love for His people Israel. Moses reminds them of God’s saving love, saying: “It was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7:8**). We find the most well-known text about God’s saving love in the Gospel of John: “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16**)

-- God’s covenant with His people is a covenant of love. Moses told God’s people Israel: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9**)

-- God’s love is an everlasting love. The prophet Jeremiah (7^th century BC)  exclaims: “Long ago the LORD said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.’” (Jeremiah 31:3*)

-- God’s love is full of grace and mercy. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus (Turkey): “God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!).” (Ephesians 2:4-5*)

-- God’s love is a forgiving love. The apostle John writes in his first letter: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10**)

-- Jesus’ love is a love without limits. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus: “I pray that from God’s glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19*)

-- Jesus’ love is a self-sacrificing love. The apostle John writes about the self-sacrificing love of God the Son: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” (1 John 3:16**)

-- The Spirit’s love. Paul mentions the love of God the Spirit when he asks the church in Rome to pray for him: “I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (^NIB Romans 15:30)

(b) For imitating the love of our Triune God, we need the gift His Spirit

If God wants my church to imitate His love, we have a problem. By nature we all rebel against God’s laws and commands. We go our own way and do what we want. The prophet Isaiah and the apostle Paul have understood deeply how God in His holiness looks at us:

-- The prophet Isaiah (8^th century BC) confesses: “All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on Him (Jesus) the guilt and sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6*)

-- Later on Isaiah cries out: “We are all infected and impure with sin (i.e. disobedience to God). When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)

-- The apostle Paul recites the Old Testament when he describes our naturally rebellious attitude to God: “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is good-- not even one. No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God. All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong. No one does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12*)

So the question is: how would we ever be able to imitate our Triune God when we have by nature such rebellious and selfish hearts? Two things are necessary to solve that problem which we cannot solve by ourselves:

1. We need reconciliation with God. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome: “For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved (from God’s eternal judgment) through His life!” (Romans 5:10**)

2. We need God’s love poured out in our hearts. Paul reminds the church in Rome of that revolutionary event which they all experienced when they were reconciled with God. He says: “We know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” (Romans 5:5*). Paul writes to the church in Corinth about this exciting occurrence, saying: “God has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything He will give us.” (2 Corinthians 1:22*)

(c) The transforming power of God’s Spirit will produce Christlike love in my church

First of all we must not forget that the love of our Triune God has been completely manifested in Jesus Christ! We wrote about that in Meditation 135. It means that our church will grow more and more stronger in Christlike love if it grows stronger in imitating Jesus Christ. Now we understand that this process only can be generated by God’s Spirit who also has the character of Jesus! The apostle Paul teaches the church in Galatia, saying: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love...” (Galatians 5:22*)

(d) What does Christlike love, produced by God’s Spirit, practically look like in my church?

It is a true miracle of God when His Spirit transforms our churches into communities of Christlike love. Paul shows the most characteristic qualities of divine love in his first letter to the church in Corinth. Actually, they are a description of Jesus’ character as we meet it on every page of the four Gospels!

-- “Love is patient...” (1 Corinthians 13:4*). The New King James Version renders: “Love suffers long.” Such a loving church is forbearing in stressful situations. It continuously expresses Christlike love by bearing patiently all the shortcomings in their midst and all the unrighteousness from the outside world.

-- “Love is kind...” (1 Corinthians 13:4*). If a Christian community is characterized by kind and gentle behaviour to its members and to outsiders, a sweet-tempered atmosphere rules the community. Such a community graciously embraces those who suffer and tenderly upholds the weak.

-- “Love is not jealous...” (1 Corinthians 13:4*). In Christian community that knows no jealousy, people rejoice in each other’s gifts and successes. They enthusiastically encourage each other to develop existing talents instead of being resentful and sceptical. They don’t covet each other’s health, happiness, possessions, intelligence, reputation, functions in church, etc. True Christlike love makes such a church a divine beacon light of salvation for many a man.

-- “Love is not boastful...” (1 Corinthians 13:4*). In a church in which Christlike love reigns, true humility, respect for each other and Christ-centered praise outshines everything. Such a church does not brag about its ‘spiritual successes’ and does not regard other churches with contempt.    

-- “Love is not proud...” (1 Corinthians 13:4*). The pastor(s), elders and ministry leaders in such a church serve others in Christlike humility. They don’t act out of selfish ambition and are not known as ostentatious people who want to dominate others. They are examples of Christlike service to everyone in their community and beyond. If such a church is specially blessed in a particular way, it wants to serve other churches respectfully in Christlike humility.

-- “Love is not rude...” (1 Corinthians 13:5*). In a Christian community in which divine love reigns, there is no place for disrespectful and indecent language and behaviour towards others, whatever their high or low position in church might be. The apostle Paul writes about that to the church in Colosse (Turkey): “Let your conversation be gracious...” (Colossians 4:6*). To the church in Ephesus (Turkey) he says: “Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29*)

-- “Love does not demand its own way...” (1 Corinthians 13:5*) or as the New International Version translates: “Love is not self-seeking”. In true Christlike love there is no place for selfishness. Such love moves the hearts of church members to care for each other, to be committed to the welfare of each other and of the whole church. It seeks to strengthen and enhance the Christlike maturity of the church and its members. What a challenge to any church in our individualistic Western society!   

-- “Love is not irritable...” (1 Corinthians 13:5*). In a church in which Christlike love reigns, there is no place for petty irritations. Its members are not easily upset because of the displeasing behaviour of others or because of the things in church they disagree with. They will patiently consider what is the right way to respond. Where divine love reigns, church members also hold their temper in check when they are treated unjustly. God’s Spirit gives them the strength to imitate Christ’s way in every situation.  

-- “Love keeps no record of when it has been wronged...” (1 Corinthians 13:5*). If Christlike love permeates a congregation, its members learn to trust and forgive without dwelling on past hurts, uncaring attitudes and disrespectful words done to each other.   

-- “Love is never glad about injustice...” (1 Corinthians 13:6*). It is clear that there is no place for malicious pleasure at the misfortune of others in a church in which Christlike love reigns. The apostle Paul urges the church in Rome: “When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.” (Romans 12:15*). When Christlike love holds sway in a church, its members will oppose any kind of injustice.

-- “Love rejoices whenever the truth wins out...” (1 Corinthians 13:6*). A Christian community that is committed to knowing and obeying God’s Word (i.e. the Truth) rejoices when divine truth starts to transform their church and its members under the guidance of God’s Spirit. The apostle John writes to Gaius, for us an unknown follower of Christ: “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:3-4**)

-- “Love bears all things...” (1 Corinthians 13:7***). Actually, the original Greek verb stegô strictly means ‘to put a roof on’. Therefore, we could translate this verse also as: “Love covers all things”. It indicates that true Christlike love draws a veil over all kinds of disapproved behaviour. The apostle Peter persuades the churches: “Above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” (1 Peter 4:8***). Peter wants to show that if divine love envelops the church, people’s imperfections and misbehaviour are not constantly blazoned out. How often are churches not suffering because of malicious gossip among its members?

Another possible rendering of the Greek text could be: “Love endures all things” (Aramaic Bible in Plain English). When Christlike love bears or endures all things, it means that it has the strength to suffer in silence and to refrain from revenge. The apostle Peter points us to Jesus’ attitude under pressure: “Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in His steps. ..... He did not retaliate when He was insulted. When He suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” (1 Peter 2:21-23*)

-- “Love never loses faith...” (1 Corinthians 13:7*). The New International Version renders: “Love always trusts.” Paul probably wants to say that a church in which Christians lovingly trust each other, there is no place for baseless distrust.

-- “Love is always hopeful...” (1 Corinthians 13:7*). Christlike love never loses faith in God because it knows that He is well able to save the greatest sinner and to turn around the most hopeless situation. The apostle writes to the church in Rome: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him...” (Romans 8:28**). What a positive attitude this brings to any Christian community where Christlike love reigns!

-- “Love endures through every circumstance...” (1 Corinthians 13:7*). In a community of Christlike love, members are patient – even willing to suffer – under the pain and distress caused by others from inside or outside their church, because they know that God is testing their love and will justify them in the end. The apostle James writes: “God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12*). The author of the Book of Hebrews says: “Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.” (Hebrews 6:11*)

This description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 is a beautiful picture of the character of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also clear that we never could reach such a standard of love by our own efforts because of our rebellious heart and our sinful life. It is only God’s Spirit who is able to pour such Christlike love in our hearts and in our churches. I think of the words of the apostle Paul to the Christian communities of Rome and Galatia: “God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” (Romans 5:5**) and “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23*)

   

(e) “Love each other just as Jesus Christ loved you”

On the evening before Christ’s death, He said to His friends (and to us!): “Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:34*)

And again: “If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father's commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:10**)

And again: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12**)

Christ’s love for His heavenly Father and for us was a public manifestation of God’s Old Testament commands which Jesus summarized by saying: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40**)

My church’s Christlike love for God and fellowmen, produced by His Spirit, should likewise be a public manifestation of God’s commands. The apostle Paul writes to the church in Ephesus: “Live (plural!) a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2**)

The question that remains is whether true Christlike love could ever permeate a church completely as every church on earth consists of ‘saved sinners’? Is this not an highly unrealistic church concept that is impossible to achieve? Let’s talk about that in our next meditation.  

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

About “Jesus’ love for His heavenly Father”, see Meditation 15.

About “What is sin and how to overcome it?”, see Meditation 19-21 and 101-108.

About “Salvation and rebirth”, see Meditations 22-27, 44.

About “Who is the Holy Spirit and what is His ministry?”, see Meditations 27-34.

About “The Church as a new (messianic) community, consisting of all the followers of Jesus”, see Meditation 29.

About "God's major project: Transforming me and my church into the likeness of Christ", see Meditations 44-48, 56.

About “Corporate, Christlike love for God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ”, see Meditations 63-99.

About “The Church as a ‘Corporate Personality’”, see Meditation 63-65.

About “The two Tracks of Maturing in Christlikeness”, see Meditation 100.

About “How to overcome the power of sin in my church?”, see Meditations 131-135.