I am very often seriously grieved at the enmity that the church has against itself. Denominations war against each other, people in the same congregation can't get along, and woe to your pastor if you disagree with something he or she says, or he or she does something you don't like, because too often it will result in bitterness, back-biting and the taking of sides.

Where is this in the Word? Rick Joyner in his book The Final Quest talks about how the last battle on earth will be seen by many to be the "great Christian civil war." No doubt. The enemy of the faith has sowed deep-rooted seeds into the church, and we have fallen for them hook, line and sinker. Somehow to be a believer who desires to be full of integrity gets you laughed at as a goody-goody. What?!?!? How is that possible? How can it be that longing, out of love, to follow the things that God has laid before us makes us a laughing stock? It should never be so. We should instead support each other, exhort each other, serve each other with diligence and passion, and remember the things God has asked of us. When we don't, it's no wonder that we as a church are called hypocrites - we can't even get along within our own ranks.

We need to be radical believers - ones who know the Word, and follow it passionately. We need to be devoted to one another in brotherly love, praying for each other, supporting each other, sharpening each other, challenging each other, but above all loving each other. We need to be in the world, serving humanity and bringing Jesus' love and message to every person with whom we have contact each day. But let's remember that many of those people we have contact with in a day are fellow members of the church, and there is absolutely no excuse for treating them as less than important simply because they have already heard the gospel or are "family." What a terrible, perverse idea.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:9-18)