April 2020 Elder’s Report

Spring time in Wisconsin brings about a new energy:  green leaves on the trees and the growth of the grass bring freshness, birds fill the air with the perfectly tuned songs, and the sun greets us promptly as we wake up.  In Wisconsin, we would     typically see an end to neighbor hibernation season as yards start to fill with activity, but this isn’t a normal year.  Normally, spring is a great time to rekindle and examine our relationships. During this time of social distancing, it has become even more apparent the importance that relationships have in our lives. 

God designed us to be in relationships.  After God created Adam, He states in       Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for man to be alone and he set out to create a companion for Adam.  With this creation, God also created the basis of relationships.  Not only relationships between a husband and a wife, but relationships amongst people in general as the population of the world was able to grow.   God gave us relationships as a resource to complete His will of living our life to spread the gospel message.  Like all   resources that God has given us He has also given us directions to effectively manage the resources.

The foundation for all of our relationships must be love.  Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all of year heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it.  You shall love your neighbor as your self.” (Matthew 22:37-39).  God does not ask us to love one another, He commands it.  Loving relationships will exhibit fellowship, encouragement, support in times of need, accountability, and correction.

Love does not always equate to like, as Jesus also commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48,     Romans 12:14-21).  Biblical love is not based on emotions, it is based on our identity in Christ.  Christ provided the example of biblical love by dying on the cross to take the place of sinners.  God HATES sin.  If God’s love was emotionally based, we would all be destined to experience the anger of God.  But God provided the ultimate example of biblical love by giving us a gift of grace, by sending Jesus to take the penalty for the sins of all who accept Jesus as their savior.  Loving those who hate us is what can set Christians apart – it’s easy to love others when they love us back but loving in the face of adversity gets noticed.

Since all people still have sin, biblical love requires forgiveness.  Not forgiving someone does not punish the offender, it destroys the person who is holding on to the emotions of being offended.  Forgiveness means to dismiss or send away.  It is allowing God to change your heart and emotions towards someone who has wronged you.  Forgiveness is a personal choice – only requiring you to have a desire toward a changed heart.  When both parties have a changed heart, God can provide reconciliation. Reconciliation is a restoration of the relationship.  It requires all parties to have a changed heart so that God can renew the relationship.

During this time of social distancing, it is a good time to reflect on all of our relationships and find creative ways to connect with each other.  Are we using our relationships to live out our values of fellowship and    encouragement? Do we keep each other accountable to live our lives as God desires?  Do we help one another when we see need?  Are we holding on to bitterness, when we should be seeking God to help us change our heart and forgive?  As we pray for the Corona virus to subside and daily life to get back to normal, pray that God would help you see how He wants you use your relationships to stand out amongst the world.

Desmond VanHouten

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