Update from the President
As I write, we are producing the 301st Beyond Today television program right here at the home office. Program 300 was by Steve Myers: "Are You Led by God's Spirit?" which will be aired about Pentecost time. Darris McNeely presented "The Power of the Living Word" and Gary Petty is doing "Preparing for Christ's Return." There is an air of celebration as we have crossed the 300 episode mark.
We are doing podcasts again on a weekly basis. Both Darris McNeely and I are hosting discussions that run about 15 minutes with various guests about events in the Work and the Church. The most recent posted in the last hour is my interview of Jorge de Campos who will soon be going to South America and Africa to visit brethren and other Sabbath-keepers (www.ucg.org/members/united-news/inside-united/inside-united-podcast-episode-046). Lena VanAusdle, the wife of one our new ministerial trainees, gives her impressions of working alongside her husband in some of our Alabama congregations (www.ucg.org/members/united-news/inside-united/inside-united-podcast-episode-045).
This weekend is our next in the series of Personal Appearance Campaigns in Columbus, Ohio. We ask for your prayers for success and for God the Father's calling people to Jesus Christ.
A week from today, Beverly and I leave for South Africa and Malawi where we will visit with our brethren and ministers during the Passover and Unleavened Bread season. We truly love and miss our brethren and look forward to seeing them after two years.
Reconciliation
A vital lesson of our Christian growth is learning how to resolve conflict among ourselves. It is imperative that we learn to live in peace with one another. It is based on biblical principles, prudence and practice.
At one time or another we have all become upset with someone close to us. You may recognize unresolved anger and frustration eating away at you right now. You may even come to a point where you say "I can't take it anymore!" Unless managed, something will eventually give. Or the bitterness becomes so intense that we separate ourselves from one another--and even from God. Wars between nations and groups of nations have started because conflict was not settled, mediated or forgiven.
Unresolved conflict has been the undoing of so many relationships--between people and in congregations. One of life's tests is being scrutinized by God right now on how we handle conflict among each other.
There is no better time of year than now to look at this subject. It's when we keep the Passover in unity and outwardly show that we can wash anyone's feet, forgive and be forgiven. At the Passover we accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice and commit ourselves to the one "who is our Peace" (Ephesians 2:14).
It is pointless to go through the exercise on the Passover evening, feeling serious and sober for a few hours, and then the next day go back to "business as usual" with unresolved anger towards people close to us--often brothers and sisters in the Church. That's often where intensity is highest because of our investment in time, relationships and shared spiritual values.
Unresolved conflict has been the undoing of so many relationships--between people and in congregations. One of life's tests is being scrutinized by God right now on how we handle conflict among each other.
Anyone of us can fall--and most likely have fallen--into the trap of embitterment over something or someone. Admit it. We nurse and excuse our bitterness by justifying our indignation and righteousness. We do it by shifting blame, accusing others of petty or real injustice. We build a philosophy and even a "theology" of justification where we are right and everyone else is to blame.
We don't like to admit that some of the underlying reasons for our pain are not easily addressed. We feel snubbed, under appreciated, not receiving credit where due, getting the "short end of the stick," jealous, and our vanity and pride being pricked. It is not fashionable to confess such ignoble reasons. We can all mask the underlying reasons of our pain, with a façade that we want others to see to make ourselves look good.
One industrial mediator, whom I have known, told me that when settling conflicts between employees, resolution came when the parties could see and admit to these less popular reasons, and then everyone could make up and go on.
The ultimate miscarriage of justice was the condemnation of Jesus Christ to death. He had opportunity and legal right to appeal to the Roman administration for the mock trial He got from the Jews. Even to the very end of the ordeal He could have had his sentence quashed by Pontius Pilate. But, He didn't. Of course He had a higher purpose in His death for mankind, but we see an attitude of taking injustice. And we see that He and all of humankind were blessed for it: "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:8-9).
Again, there is no better time than right now to examine our ability to resolve differences among ourselves, especially among us in the Church of God. See what is showing in your life, plus peel back the onionskin to expose what is underneath. What is there that needs to be purged? What leaven of malice and wickedness in our heart must go? And what characteristics of sincerity and truth should we put on?
Remember how Jesus Christ treats us: "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation" (Romans 5:10-11).
As we begin a new sacred year, let's resolve to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
