Churches in Competition

May 7

(Luke 9:49-50 NIV) ““Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." {50} "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you.””

(Ephesians 4:1-7 NIV) “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. {2} Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. {3} Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. {4} There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism; {6} one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. {7} But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

A competitive church is the epitome of pride. Jesus wants none of it. While churches turn their guns on one another, Satan slithers into the hearts and homes of the lost. Many churches today have the attitude of John: “They’re not us, so they must be conquered.” How foolish! The church across town is not the competition -- we are on the same team. We are not called to denigrate them and consider ourselves superior -- we are called to pray for them. We don’t become better children by cutting down our brothers and sisters. We don’t become greater by eliminating the competition. On Christ’s team there is no room for the competitive spirit. Every church that is lifting up Jesus, preaching the gospel, and driving out the demons of pride and sin, has a place on Christ’s team and in Christ’s heart. The wise Christian will not compete with those working to defeat our common enemy. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day