What is peace? We, our church, had council meeting yesterday, which I missed due to scheduling conflicts. I always wonder how honest people really are. Everyone has peace with God and their fellowmen. So, I am wondering what is peace. Is peace a love relationship with God? A sappy kind of love? I get the feeling sometimes that some people never get upset with God. Is this what peace is? Or is peace admitting that what life is sending your way is really annoying and you wonder what God is doing. In fact you really are mad at God sometimes. You work through the frustration. You ask God WHY???? God doesn't answer or doesn't appear to answer and you come to grips with the situation and find peace. I believe peace is trusting God even though you don't understand. You know God is in control and you trust him. Peace is accepting what you are facing and admitting you are in pain.
Is it possible to have peace with God and not have peace with your fellowmen? Does everyone really have peace with their fellowmen?
What a vicious circle....
5 comments:
What do you do when you discover that two brethren can hardly tolerate each other and it has been like that for 10-15 years, and nobody has done anything about it? When someone does finally try to get these two individuals to resolve, the one brother refuses to reconcile, claiming the moral high ground. Then the leadership flounders and doesn't do anything else. What is the unreconciling brother's obligation? What is the leadership's obligation? What is the responsibility of those who were aware, but chose to say nothing? What is the proper response of fellow church members who were not aware and not involved? There are some other questions, but this will do for starters.
Well, personally I think their is a time and place to have a fight with that individual. He needs to be confronted and if he still will not reconcile he should be excommunicated. Okay, that sounds fery harsh but ultimately he is living in sin, right?
I think the biblical way should be followed.
I definitely agree, but the likelihood of that actually taking place seems extremely remote. In other words, it seems the ministry/leadership is unwilling to bite the bullet and make the tough decision. If that is what happens, what is the obligation of the members who are aware, and feel that confrontation and reconciliation are most important? It seems like this might get swept under the rug, and the sin of hatred will continue to cripple the congregation. Should members take the leaders on in this situation? Or should they "air the laundry" without the ministry's approval? Or should they quietly start looking for somewhere where brotherly accountability and responsibility are taken seriously?
Whew......
I wonder....
Couple things to consider
1. Is this well known within the church? THe problem?
Maybe outside help.... Other ministers qualified to deal with such situations.
I guess I would think a stink should be made. How would Jesus react to the situation? Pray and ask GOd for wisdom.
"Is the problem well-know in the church?"
I didn't know, until recently. Several others did, but apparently didn't step in. Why, I don't know. But how can a church grow and remain healthy with this kind of problem for 10 or more years? As I consider the situation, I look further back, and begin to wonder about the effect on other situations and outreach attempts. This could explain the lack of growth in our congregation.
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