Tips for Church Members

1 Timothy tells us that our church is the "church of the living God" and that we are the "pillar and ground of the truth." A strong, healthy, Bible governed, and Christ-centered church is vital for the wellbeing of our homes, community, and nation.

Listed below are some tips to help us love and support one another as church members.

• Be understanding and patient (2 Timothy 2:24). Our church is made up of many people with differing temperaments, backgrounds, and personalities.  We are at differing stages in our spiritual growth. Many of our people are dealing with personal heartbreaks and difficulties that we know little about. Our Lord is the perfect example of patience and understanding with His imperfect and growing disciples. So let's be understanding and patient with one another, give others the "benefit-of-the-doubt," and pray for one another.
  

• We're in this together (Galatians 6:2). As much as I hesitate to say it, we are most likely facing some very difficult days ahead for the church and our faith. Increased opposition to what we hold dear and the Bible we love is looming. We need the love, prayers, and support of one another.
  

• Respect and serve one another (Galatians 5:13).  As members of our church, we are members of one "body." Every member has a place and a role to fulfill in carrying out our Great Commission and the spiritual growth of our church.
  

• Forgive one another (Ephesian 4:32). No matter how hard we try, offences will come (Luke 17:1). We need to do all we can to make sure we are not the one committing the offence and readily forgive those who commit offences as against us. Remember Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
  

• Seek to encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13) Someone once said, "Be kind to everyone for everyone is having a hard time." We are living in days that can be very discouraging, thus we need to keep our eyes on the Lord, our nose in the Bible, and our mind stayed on the Lord and help one another to do the same. 
  

• Express our unconditional love for one another (1 Corinthians 13). Biblical love is love in action, expressing itself in our words, deeds, and treatment of one another.
  

• Love God with all our heart (Mark 12:28-31). If we can get our love for the Lord what is ought to be, we will have no trouble loving one another, and even those who are unkind and are enemies.