"FRIENDLY" FIRE.

"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that the antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (1 John 2:18)."

Many true followers of Jesus Christ wrestle with being hurt by fellow Christians within the church. It's called "friendly fire" in mature Christian circles. But, is this fire really "friendly" at all? Is JESUS in it?

As Christians, we have been "seasoned" to believe that no one is perfect and if someone treats you ruthlessly within the church it just means they aren't perfect and you should turn the other cheek "just like Jesus did," shut your mouth, and get over it. However, this is not Biblical, and serious Christians should not be duped into using this as an excuse anymore.

While yes, it is absolutely true that no one is perfect except Jesus, what ever happened to the reality in Acts where others were ASTONISHED at the Christians' love for one another. There was unshakable unity in Christ. There were no "individuals," just "individuals in Christ." It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen! Dare I say, even... supernatural? As a result, multitudes were drawn to Jesus and the world was turned on its ear.

While conflict did exist within the early church, it was handled swiftly and taken seriously. Toxic behavior that dragged Jesus' Name in the mud was not tolerated. Instead, it was dealt with in a Biblical and loving manner with grace, without being excused and ignored. This "fire" from within was not treated as "friendly," rather it was treated as it truly was- unapologetically UNBIBLICAL!

Perhaps the church in America has its' self inflicted wounds today is because we yell at all the sinful behavior going on outside our walls but we sit, watch, and dismiss our own sinful behavior going on inside our walls. Let's deal with the plank in our own eye first so once again the world will be astonished by a pure and holy vessel called the church and be drawn straight to Christ. After all, Jesus was a Master house cleaner. It's time for us to let Him scrub our own four walls until the His face can once again be clearly seen in them.