Have we excised the ‘bowels of tender mercy’?
Many mornings I write down a thought to repeat to myself throughout the day. Since the Missus and I traveled last Saturday for me to preach and teach in a couple of separate events, still ongoing (see photo), I jotted this down:
God got here before me, is with me now, and will be here when I leave. The Sovereign cares for his church. He carries out his plan. He sends his salvation to the four corners of the world.
Seems obvious, doesn’t it? But it reminds me that, wherever I go, I’m just one piece of God’s plan and I should leave situations and people better than when I arrived, if possible. I should be a builder, not a destroyer; a submissive contributor to the work of God, not a creator of my own personal kingdom.
The apostle Paul kept this objective firmly in mind:
Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority—the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down! 2 Corinthians 13.10.
He constantly weighed his words and actions and made decisions based on the effect it could have on the saints.
Even the use of our liberty in Christ should contribute toward this objective in the church: "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up" Romans 15.2. We must realize that "not everything builds others up" 1 Corinthians 10.23.
Some of the things we believe are essential to church development and growth don’t really contribute to that end. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" 1 Corinthians 8.1. A lot of puffed-up people are spouting their loveless knowledge in the church. Schools teach knowledge, but who is showing love?
Congregations engage in preacher shuffleboard. Parachuting missionaries deliver their knowledge packages to the needy native population and exfiltrate at the first opportunity. But Jesus established his church as a people committed to fraternal love and the mutual nurturing of followers in hope and faith.
Are we are building Knowledge Societies, rather than God’s family of faith? Has our heady knowledge obliterated the Head of the Body? Have we excised the ‘bowels of tender mercy’?
Is this description a caricature? Perhaps, in part. One size does not fit all. One description does not apply across the board. But let us beware of the danger here. Let us ask ourselves if the following verse has a place among us?
Are you encouraged in Christ? Are you comforted by his love? Do you share with the Spirit? Do you have any tender feelings or compassion for others? Philippians 2.1 IEB.
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