Nuggets 71: Bridges

  • B. Shelburne
  • May 27, 2007
  • Series: Nuggets

We were sitting under a tree, church leaders and I, taking a break during a weekend "camp meeting" in an African village.  The local church had built temporary huts of bamboo and grass.  These huts sheltered visitors from surrounding congregations.  Through the weekend, worship and preaching would go on periodically from early to late.  Some hardy souls would sing all night.  Malawian Christians loved the fellowship in these meetings.

One of the leaders pointed to a grove of trees a mile or so away.  "In that grove," he said, "is another local church" (and he gave its name).  "Are their people here this weekend?", I asked.  "No, those people don't want to come to our meetings," he answered.  "There was a falling out years ago."  "Don't you think Jesus would still want you to invite them?", I asked.  "If they refuse your invitation, that's on their own head.  But if you don't invite them, that signals that you want to perpetuate the division.  Isn't it better to signal that as far as it depends on you, the door is open to work on the relationship?  Jesus prayed for his people to be one so the world might believe the gospel."

Paul speaks of "the unity of the Spirit" and "the fellowship of the Spirit."  Satan loves to set people against each other.   He takes every opportunity to fan flames of hurt and anger, to keep hearts hard.  The Spirit of God loves unity and grieves over unnecessary division.  The more we are led by the Spirit, the more we will be motivated to build bridges, clear up misunderstandings and resolve differences.  If there is a way, love will find it.

Matthew 17:4;  18:1-15;  5:23,24;  John 17:20,21;  Ephesians 4:1-3;  2 Corinthians 13:14;  Ephesians 4:26,27,30-32;  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

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Copyright 2007 by G.B. Shelburne, III.  May be freely reproduced or forwarded for non-commercial purposes provided content is unchanged and this copyright notice is included.  These shepherding messages are sent to members and friends of New Beginnings Church (www.nbchurch.com), to students and alumni of South Houston Bible Institute (www.shbi.org), and to other interested persons.

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