ON CHRISTIANITY

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: Recently a couple joined our church, and it’s already obvious that they’re going to be troublemakers. I even found out from a friend that they’ve been in other churches in our city, and have a reputation for stirring up trouble wherever they go. Why would anyone want to be like this?

— K.G. DEAR K.G.: I don’t know why anyone would want to have this reputation. Love should be our goal as believers — the same kind of self-giving love that Christ has for us. The Bible says, “Be devoted to one another in love. … Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:10, 16).

Nevertheless, Christians aren’t perfect, nor will we be perfect until we get to heaven. That’s why churches aren’t perfect either. You’ve probably heard the old saying that if you ever found a perfect church, it would become imperfect the minute you joined it! That’s why I hope your church’s members will go out of their way to welcome this couple and shower them with Christ’s love. This may be exactly what they’re seeking (and may not have found elsewhere). The Bible says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

Sadly, however, occasionally some people do seem to enjoy stirring up dissension in their church, even though it’s wrong. If your concerns about this couple turn out to be valid, your church’s leadership should deal with them, prayerfully and wisely.

In the meantime, make it your goal to live for Jesus and share His love with others. Even if this couple has allowed bitterness or pride or any other evil to control them, perhaps your life will be an example to them, and will help bring them to repentance, faith and submission to Jesus Christ as Lord.