I was reading today about the importance of unity in the church and it was quite convicting. Romans 14;19 ''Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.''
Four things happen when we criticize another believer....
1. We lose fellowship with God
2. We expose our own pride and insecurity
3. We set ourselves up to be judged by God
4. We harm the fellowship of the church
Are you feeling the sting too? 'We must remember that the church is made up of real sinners, including ourselves.' We all have our own ideas of what's standard but they are all with fault. Christ is our only standard to compare with and strive to be like. 1 Corinthians 1;10 ''I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.''
May we encourage more and criticize less. May we think less of ourselves and more for the body of Christ. UNITY.... You n I together, yes?