There are few institutions that require us to love and sacrifice for other people.  You go to school and the teacher teaches you, but her commitment to your education rightly ends with the bell that lets out school.  You get something out of the relationship as well, an education.  You go to work and no one is required to love any other employee.  The bottom line is not sacrifice for one another but being a productive and efficient employee.  You go to the doctor in order to get a check up, to find out if something is wrong with your body.  The doctor is required by oath to treat you, but you better be ready to hand over some money for his examination.  Lawyers are required by the state bar association to conduct the fight for truth and justice with integrity; however, they are well compensated for their work in the arena.  The church is different.  At church I am commanded to love the people who come without getting anything in return.  My brothers and sisters in Christ continue to be my brothers and sisters in Christ even after church is over.  The Bible commands me to love other Christians because we are all in the same boat, sinners forgiven by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.  This biblical concept has never set well with God’s people; we are constantly comparing ourselves to others and judging others as unworthy of our time.  Yet, there seems to be some particular obstacles to loving the church in 2012.  What are these obstacles?  Why do they make it so hard to love the church?  What can we do to address these obstacles in our church?  These are the questions I want to explore over the next few entries.  Stay tuned for further updates...
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Kyle Perret
Cascade Presbyterian Church