How much of a family are we??

God’s word constantly teaches us that if we are part of His church, we will be family. That would stand NOT ONLY for Ebenezer, but for any Protestant church, any church that recognizes Jesus as the ONLY Way of salvation. With that said, are we (the Christian church in Florence) family?? Are we Southern Baptist churches family??

Certainly family starts within each church. And we have a long way to go on that one. But, looking outward for a moment, there really is too much rivalry between some churches. Not all, mind you, but some. Some that will make “comments” about other churches in a pathetic attempt to lure members away OR to secure prospects who are considering more than one church. I can tell you I have never gone into house on a visit and said something disrespectful about another church. We are not immune to being a target of this: The dope on Ebenezer is a pastor that uses weak, purchased outlines and is a mediocre preacher leaning on a PowerPoint presentation. Well, to that I can assure you that I have never bought an outline. (If I did, they would be much more clever) I won’t argue the mediocre part, but I do write my own. And too many times my heart jumps into the mix and I stray too much from the PowerPoint.

How do we deal with such statements? By staying above them. By loving our brothers, even if they are saying terrible things about us. And by making sure we do not stoop to such antics EVER. All we can do is do our best to BE FAMILY to those around us. If we will all worry about FOLLOWING GOD, He will bring this all to where it needs to be.