The Process

All of us are at different growth points - dissimilar places in the process of sanctification. What does this mean? Saints will make mistakes. To be more direct: saints will sin. So, how do we respond to such behavior? When we see the failure of a brother or sister, what should our manner of response be?

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.¹

By being like Christ, by reflecting the One who reflected the Father, by bearing with one another, we are responding to failure in a "worthy" manner.

But how do we do this?

Patiently, sometimes speaking the truth in love (by addressing the issue we see), and sometimes allowing God to work out of a fellow saint what needs to be worked out. And this means two things, actually three, but let's start with two:

• Before addressing any issues we become aware of, we must examine our own hearts, removing the log from our eye before trying to help the fellow saint with the speck in his eye.²

• If silence is the proper path for the moment, then we approach our Father in prayer for our brother or sister who is in need of help, placing them and their situation before our Father God.³

Underlying this though, there is a third thing we must realize, something our hearts must become convinced of,

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”⁴

The Psalmist-King David delighted in the people of God. Do we? Underlying our interactions with and view of God's people, is there an attitude that says, "The bride of Christ is beautiful!"? David was able to do this, to hold this mindset, because he had his priorities straight. He knew that God was his protection and refuge - even when he was hurt by those who were God's people. He knew who his portion was. His life's overflow came not from people, but the Lord.

Today we find ourselves protected in the love of Christ.⁵ Because of this we are now able to live in a manner worthy of the name we bear, the name of Jesus. We are free to love others patiently, boldly, and sincerely without feeling the need to guard what is "ours" or self-protect. We can be confident that God himself is at work in the "noble" ones in his church.

May we love on another well.

References

¹ Ephesians 4:2

² Matthew 7:5

³ Romans 8:34 - Christ intercedes for us. Should we not act with the same heart towards our brothers and sisters who are in need?

⁴ Psalms 16:1-3

⁵ Romans 8:38-39