Of course I love my church.
I’ve been there for 17 years.
I’ve stayed with it through thick and thin.
It’s like my family.
But I suddenly realize today that I don’t love my church as described in ICorinthians 13.
If the truth be known: I am impatient whenever there is Chinese translation. I am critical of the “chinese style” of doing things. I don’t like the lingering smells of strange, smelly “exotic” chinese food.
Yes, I am Chinese! Yet I feel so un-chinese at our church.
I Corinthians 13:1-3 (the Katy translation) – If I teach Sunday School with great wisdom, organize a successful Vacation Bible School, pray for the church fervently, but I do not have patience for the differences, all my work counts for nothing. Without love, I am not helping, but in fact hurting the church.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. Luke 6:32-44
If the church is more homogeneous, I would be so much more comfortable, we would have mutual understanding, then wouldn’t things run smoother?
But where is the power of God in that?