September 30, 2002
The crucial question facing every church is, can we really love one another? That is are we really committed to one another even though we can’t always agree with one another. Are we willing to believe the other person has a reason for doing, believing, acting as they do even though we can’t understand how they could figure that way? Are we willing to believe that a puzzling act to us could be done out of the highest, purest motives or simply out of necessity? One way to solve the latter question is to get the person alone and ask about why they feel, act, or believe this way. Or to simply walk in our companions’ shoes, live in our companions’ families, struggle with our companions’ bosses and workmates might then earn us the right to question but never to think unkind thoughts. Love is another way of saying we want the best for the other person no matter what that person does to us. Dying on the cross Jesus’ words are the epitome of this kind of love, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." If it’s good enough for our Lord shouldn’t it be good enough for us?
We sing loudly and affirm in much of our music and verbal statements the truth of the hymn, "They’ll know we are Christians by our love." The church and our local congregation will only be a success when our thoughts and actions confirm these words
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
201 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948-1333 608-8474555
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