What's in it for me? A common question always asked and sought after, if i dont benefit from any of this, then I will not bother being a part of it.
While it does make sense, i mean if it adds nothing to your life why would you want to invest in it, it can also backlash in a different direction. As always I will speak to brothers and sisters with regards to this who are in the Lord Jesus saved by grace through faith(this includes myself). Do not fall away from assembling together, for by it only can the true meaning of church exist. It isnt a building but a gathering of saints, whom by which are cleansed by the very blood of Christ. I wish to implore to you, don't give up your race, just because some one offended you, for if we are taught to bear with our enemies by the turning of the cheek in Matthew 5:39, what more a brother and sister. We are all growing together, sharpening each other as proverbs 27:17 says iron sharpens iron, the process is not one that is smooth, nor is it one that destroys one another, but through the process of sharpening do we become more better equipped for the glory of our heavenly Father!
I am reminded of a story, of a man who was hired to chop wood, when he was first employed he managed to chop huge amounts of wood with the swing of the axe, but as time went by and years passed, it became less and less, though he was working so hard, he could not match how much he cut in the early days. The employer wondered why and the employee also felt discouraged... the employer then asked the employee to pass him the axe, looking at it he noticed how dull it became, he went to sharpen it and handed it back to the employee and asked him to try again, and once again he was able to chop as much if not more wood than the beggining.
Sharpening is a painful process but it wont destroy you only make you better. We can go on without sharpening but the effort would be tremendous. So bear with one another in doing so, we will be sharpening one another!
So don't be discouraged when correction arrives, but be not decieved. The word of God is always final, always true so with everything that comes, let it be of the word and not the world. If correction arrives contrary to what the word of God says, do not take it in as sharpening, for that is not sharpening but shattering. This does not mean you argue it till the cows come home, but you may discuss it with the person to find out more, perhaps we have misunderstood what they said, in everything if it is found that it is indeed contrary to the word of God then dimiss it.
Yet after writing all this alas it may seem i was not able to talk about whats in it for me.. perhaps i will save it for another day, if the Lord wills it. But as it is now, if this even encourages one family member or pours cold water on burning coals of anger, then it is much better than whatever i was going to share. Turn and forgive your brother who offended you. Calm down and give glory to God, mend your relationship and continue to sharpen one another.
Blessings,
Chris