Who are You?

Who are You?

There have been a great number of our members and friends that have been sick this Fall and Winter season. Despite feeling unwell, there are a number of blessings that come along with so many of us struggling. There have been countless occasions of prayer for one another. Many have gone out of there way to show love and hospitality for one another. There have been meals purchased and prepared to alleviate those burdens while people are feeling down and out. Through these interactions, our relationships have been strengthened as we have affirmed our love and concern for each other.

In all of the reflection and thinking about infections I recalled a moment from an immunology class during my undergraduate studies (one of the only times I was awake in this class!). We studied the MHC 2 molecule, a feature on antigen cells that is responsible for capturing foreign bodies in order to educate the immune system on who is the enemy. In essence they mark the bad guys so our immune system knows who to fight. These are the same molecules that present a challenge for transplant patients. Anti-rejection medications have to be given so that these molecules don’t mark the new organ for destruction.

The church should work exactly opposite as these molecules. We aren’t on a mission, looking for those who aren’t like us to destroy them. Quite opposite, actually. We take the mission of Christ, “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Rather than looking for foreigners to bring to a place of destruction. We locate, and hopefully bring them to the Savior that has made us part of the body.  Another contrast, we should not only be looking for foreigners, but we are looking for those that are like us, and helping them. The key theme, Christians are not in the tearing down business. We are in character construction. Sometimes that might require we remove sin and shortcomings from OUR life, but as it comes to dealing with others our first motive is to bring up. Sure if we see sin on the surface of our family, we want to help, but we should not dissect and devour to get to their flaws.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” 1 Thes. 5:11

I Love You

  Jonathan