Saint John Lutheran Church
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 Pastor Rod's Message for September, 2010

“Members of One Body”

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. 
(Ephesians 4:25-27)

When you see or hear the word “cancer” what goes through your mind.  Did you know that there are more than 100 diseases that are referred to as “cancer”?  Cancer is a disease in which cells of the body grow uncontrollably.  In other words, cells within the body grow out of control.  The out of control growth of the cells can lead to serious illness or even death.  Given the severity of the illness many people are willing to do most anything to see that they don’t get cancer.  Furthermore, if they get cancer many are willing to do all that they can to get rid of it. 

Paul addresses a cancer of sorts in His words to the church in Ephesus.  The cancer to which he refers affects Jesus’ disciples (who form one body, Christ’s Church).  The cancer Paul writes about is unresolved anger.  Paul writes to the church at Ephesus to encourage God’s people to deal with their anger, and to do it quickly.  If someone says or does something that makes us angry or upset, Paul tells us that we ought to go to that person as quickly as possible.  When we go and speak to such a person we go to speak the truth to them in love.  We go speaking in love because we want to be reconciled to them.  Allowing our anger to sit and fester gives it the opportunity to grow and even consume us.  Giving our anger such an opportunity to grow gives the devil a place to stand in our lives where he can continue to tempt us to hold on to our anger and resentment.

God’s Precious Word guides us to resolve our conflicts and anger with our fellow believers.  We are not to allow our anger and bitterness to grow out of control because it can lead to serious consequences for the whole church, just as cancer can ravage and destroy the body.

As members of one body (the church) be mindful of our anger and the harm that it can cause to us and to others.  Instead, listen to the Wisdom of God’s.  Is there anyone whom you are angry with?  Did someone say or do something that has you frustrated or angry?  What conflicts with others do you have that need to be resolved?  Be willing to think about such questions in the days and weeks to come.  Jesus went to the cross and died to resolve our conflict with God, our Heavenly Father.  May His sacrifice give us strength and courage to go to our neighbor in love and speak truthfully to him or her.  May we live together as one body, Christ’s Church, not letting the sun go down on our anger, in Jesus name, Amen.

Pastor Rod