Something is pressing upon my heart today.

Although we talk much about – and can probably recite – Jesus’ commands to love God and our neighbors, it seems that talk has not sunk in. Worse still is that out of those same mouths spew forth words of bitterness along with the sweet, which ought not to be (Jas 3:10–11). And for all our years in the pew, we let bitterness fester and relationships fail, taking that ugliness with us to the grave. O that it was not so.

There are indeed a great many good and healthy relationships within the church; brothers and sisters encouraging one another, even reaching out to those yet to be within the fold – all to the joy of the great Shepherd of the flock who so tenderly nurtures, patiently guides, and lovingly corrects those who are His (Ps 23:1–6). You know a loving flock when you see it and you feel it when you experience it; as you step into such a place surrounded by God’s own your heart feels great joy and peace. There is no personal ambition or pride or envy, only the love of all for Christ and for each other.

Yet in the midst of what life in Christ should be, lives the sad and almost unbelievable truth of what ought not to be: disdain within the church among men and women alike. To think that those who would live eternally together would dispute with one another and engage in all such self-centered anger, strife, and jealousy (2 Cor 12:20) brings low the heart and contradicts all that should be within the body of believers (Lev 19:18; John 13:34–35; 15:12; Rom 5:5; 12:10; 1 Cor 13; 1 John 4:7–11,20–21; cf. 1 Pet 4:8; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:32; Exod 20:16; 23:1; Lev 19:16; Ps 15:3; 34:13; Prov 26:20; John 13:34–35; 1 Pet 2:1; Jas 1:19; 4:11; Gal 5:15; Eph 4:31; Col 3:8).

In many cases what ought not to be within the church remains in the individual heart for years causing it to harden and die, if not physically certainly emotionally and spiritually. But this is not the only effect; as it lingers in a single heart it also infects the church, sustaining and even stimulating the anger and bitterness to continued growth. And this is what embitters the hearts of the living, separating lifelong friends who at death’s door may never see one another again, let alone the open arms of Jesus our Lord.

Selfish pride and envy, the source of bitterness and anger and deceit, must give way to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as we live by the Spirit (Gal 5:22–25) and walk in love considering others needs before our own (Eph 5:2; Col 3:14; Phil 2:3–4) all while serving our King; for when we do it to the least of these, we do it unto Him (Matt 25:35–40; cf. Eph 6:7–8; Col 3:17). In other words, how we value and treat one another is exactly what we think of Christ and how we treat Him.

Let us, therefore, lay aside all malice and envy and slander (1 Pet 2:1) and live and serve together in peace and harmony, loving one another, bearing with one another, and sharing each other’s burdens along the way (Eph 4:2; Col 3:13) until that glorious day when eternity comes and we join the myriads singing praises to our Lord and Savior in the tabernacle of God our Father.