SOUNDS LIKE CHURCH?
Philippians 2:1-4 NIV
"If you have any encouragement from having 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."
As I have aged (some would say badly), I yearn for times of peace and harmony. I cannot explain to you how I yearn to be with a group of like-minded people, united in Christ, having experienced comfort from His love, fellowship with the Spirit, tenderness and compassion, with my joy made complete by their like-mindedness, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. A group of people that do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility they consider others better than themselves, looking not to their own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Oh, what bliss. It sounds like church. A safe haven of like-minded people. A place of peace set apart from the world. Yes, it sounds just like church!!! Or does it?
"If you have any encouragement from having 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."
As I have aged (some would say badly), I yearn for times of peace and harmony. I cannot explain to you how I yearn to be with a group of like-minded people, united in Christ, having experienced comfort from His love, fellowship with the Spirit, tenderness and compassion, with my joy made complete by their like-mindedness, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. A group of people that do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility they consider others better than themselves, looking not to their own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Oh, what bliss. It sounds like church. A safe haven of like-minded people. A place of peace set apart from the world. Yes, it sounds just like church!!! Or does it?
by Paul Kightlinger, Elder
Posted in Read Through the Bible
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