Devotions
from The Woods @Wanamaker
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I have never seen a human arm walking down the road detached from its body. Or a leg, or any other body part. It just doesn’t work. To detach from the body brings death. Yet I know many people who claim Christ but remain detached from His body, the church. Usually that is because they got hurt by a church member or sometimes even a pastor. My heart weeps for these precious people. God loves them so much! And I’m not saying they aren’t saved; only God knows that. What I am saying is that it is very difficult to live for Christ without the fellowship of other believers. “(We) are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” I Cor. 12:27. Romans 12:15 calls us to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.” It’s hard to do that when we are disconnected.
I’m pretty realistic by nature, and although I grieve the fact that hurts occur within the church, I know absolutely that it does happen, and further, it will continue to happen. Because the church is made up of human beings, and human beings are imperfect, and imperfect people hurt each other. Most of the time we don’t do it on purpose, and sometimes we hurt or offend without even realizing it. So, may I humbly suggest a couple of things we can do to minister to those who are outside the church because they have been hurt? First, if you have offended someone, even inadvertently, apologize! I hate to admit it, but I blew it again recently and ended up apologizing to several people. A sincere apology is a necessary step to reconciliation. Second, if someone you know is a believer disconnected from the body, gently remind them that Christians (even pastors) are still imperfect human beings. You might encourage them to approach their offender (Matt. 18:15). Or find a different church. But please, reconnect to the body. And third, just love on that hurt person. Maybe you can be the one to love them back. I once ministered to a person who had been deeply offended as a child. The offense was real, and it was pretty awful. She hated Christianity, and spoke God’s name with venom. However, she was homeless, she had children, and she had nowhere to go but the rescue mission, so she had to put up with us. And we just loved on her. We loved on her repeatedly, as she came and went time and again. But each time she returned, we found her heart to be a little bit softer toward Jesus. The last time I saw her, I heard her saying this to another guest, “They really mean what they say here. You can trust them; they are for real!” Praise God! I believe one more lamb is making her long way home. Blessings! Nell Ritchey
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March 2023
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