Avoiding 'Weird' Relationships

Our family went through some hard stuff together last week. It was about relationships outside our family and how without communication - and real gut level honesty - things can get weird.

It wasn't fun (at all) - but God taught us some great stuff.

Here's one of the main things was driven home and we got to talk about: To live with one another as Christians does NOT mean that we are called to live perfectly with one another, but to have a commitment to reconciliation and renewal.

Sometimes I hear Christians express this expectation that when followers of Jesus live with one another - whether at a church or a Christian school or in a Group or whatever - that we should all be perfect. (i.e. 'Your kid should ALWAYS be like Jesus to my kid!')

Huh??

The difference in 'Christian community' and any other 'community' is NOT that we don't sin and hack each other off. No. Remember 'No perfect people allowed at Oso Creek.'
But the difference is how we deal with our relationships. It's the willingness to be lovingly honest and talk & pray with one another, and to work through struggles together!

Because THAT's how we grow! The fruit grows in the valley, not on the mountain top! We grow as we see the darkness in our hearts, humbly repent, and ask God to change us!
When we do this we grow into being more like Jesus and into unity with one another.

When we are not willing to do this, we separate ourselves and create that layer of weirdness between us and others.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Philip. 2:12