Oh, that we could speak to each other the way displayed in 2 Corinthians 7. I read Paul's words and my stomach at times sinks as if I am the one receiving the letter from him (and maybe I am). I become afraid for him. "You cant talk like that Paul. What if they get mad and read your heart wrong?"
That's just it isn't it?
We don't have real intimate relationships with one another because we are so fearful in our relationships. We are afraid of being misunderstood. We are afraid of being misrepresented. We are afraid of being wrong. We are afraid of being abandoned by each other so we we slow dance with each other but the way our teachers made us dance in the 8th grade, where we hardly even touch. The ruler distance we keep is because of some unwritten rule that we not allowed to meddle in each others lives.
So what type of relationship is that. Oh that we could speak the truth in love to each other and, just like scripture says, "spur each other along toward love in good deeds.
I am as guilty as anyone.
I'm on vacation and a member of my family isn't here with the other 19 of us because we are so afraid to hurt each other that we just allow distance and non-inclusion to exist without a fight for each other. I want to be fought for. I want someone to come after me and not quit. I want to be rebuked when I am wrong and trust your heart is not for your gain but Christ's and my own. I want a church body that does life this way, don't you?
So, do we take the risk and speak the truth in love, even though we may still hurt that person's feelings and make them mad? It's hard to be the one that has to rebuke/correct someone just as much as it is being on the receiving line of being rebuked. No one likes to be criticized. No matter how sincere the words are, some people just seem to take it the wrong way. I would love a church body that would fight for each other and not gossip about anyone, but would be frank with each other. This is why I love our small groups so much. We can let our hair down and help each other, trust each other and be totally transparent with each other. Learn to laugh at our short-comings and live to please God.
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