It's Friday and time for the weekly smackdown of LCG members concerning things they are not doing right. LCG members are still letting contentions divide them because they are not "perfectly joined together" as one. They are not humble like the ministry of the LCG is. They are also not patient, are conceited and are easily entreated as they buck for positions in the church (something the Meredith and McNair boys never did, right?). LCG members are also filled with PRIDE! Down with PRIDE!
Winnail then quotes Galatians to back up his accusations but for some reason never writes anything about what the rest of the book is actually about. People who understand grace are the people who love one another. Perhaps it is time for Winnail to start preaching grace instead of condemnation.
The Importance of Working Together: Jesus referred to His disciples as His “friends” and encouraged them to “love one another” (John 15:12–17). The Apostle Paul called those who assisted him in his ministry “my fellow workers” (Romans 16:3). He referred to members of God’s Church as “God’s fellow workers” and “workers together [coworkers] with Him” (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1). These exciting opportunities carry a big responsibility of learning how to work together, and the Scriptures provide valuable guidelines. We are instructed to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” and not let contentions divide us (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). We are to be humble; live in harmony; be patient; avoid being haughty, conceited, or ambitious for a position; and be easily entreated (Romans 12:16–18; James 3:14–18). Proverbs 13:10 reminds us that pride is a major cause of contention, and Galatians teaches us that using God’s Spirit is a key to eliminating dissention and promoting peace, cooperation, and friendship (Galatians 5:16–26). How are you doing at learning to work together?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
