This will be the final installment of The Body of Christ.
I was led to one passage that sums up what we, as The Body of Christ, need to embrace.
James 3:7-18 is the entire passage. I’ll share a few key verses here.
Verses 7-9 (NIV*): All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
James did a great job of telling it like it is. These verses describe clearly what both camps in The Body of Christ are doing to each other. I’m guilty of being less than kind in my thoughts and words. I’m sure others will also admit to that.
In writing these three blogs, God has worked in my heart to help me tame my own tongue. God has helped me take baby steps toward being a part of the solution rather than the problem.
Verse 13: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.
Verses 17-18: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
It won’t be easy to mend the chasm our two camps have dug in The Body of Christ. Thankfully, nothing is impossible with God. Something tells me God wants this fixed. He will give us the power and strength to do so.
Who’s with me?
See you next time,
*New International Version