Its Time To Behave Like Christians

[deacon blues]

ROMANS 12
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore


"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."


21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I am so weary of all the bickering, the slander, the salacious gossip, the judging, the arrogance, the self righteousness, the politicking, the power games, the carnality and so much more that is the result of the TV vote at Tampa and the resulting Tulsa meeting later this month.

WE NEED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!

If men leave the UPC because they feel they cannot fellowship with an organization that allows tv advertising and programming, regardless if you agree with the rationale, can we respect their convictions and believe the bes tabout these people and that they are sincere? Leave them alone and let them follow Christ the best way they know how.

If men want to use tv, if men stay, can we leave them alone and respect that they may not feel that they are on a slippery slope toward hell? Can we not demonize one another, can we pray for one another, can we wish that both organizations do well? Can we hope that the Lord will be with both groups and that His favor will grace both arms of evangelism? Can we believe that the Lord will use both organizations?

If you leave, leave with dignity and a right spirit. Do not sow discord. Leave without fanfare and circumstance. Follow the Lord as you see fit. Don't seek to compete with the UPC. Don't run it down or bad mouth your brethren.

If you stay, pray for those leaving. Leave the door open to friendship and kinship. Write a departing brother with a word of encouragement. Pray for the Tulsa meeting that it will be blessed with the Presence of the Lord and a spirit of humility will present there. Write Bro Haney and other officials a letter of encouragement. Let them know you are behind them and you want to move forward. Encourage your District officials especially if you all are losing a significant number of preachers/churches.

Tampa happened. Tulsa will happen. Let's strive to behave like followers of Christ. Let's show the world that we are His disciples, by our love for one another.