Nothing gives the devil more pleasure than to drive a wedge between God and his people. Second on Satan’s list is to set the brothers and sisters in Christ against one another. All too often, Satan uses trickery and false promises to cause the faithful to raise suspicion, cast doubt, and make false accusations against their neighbor. Pride, ego, confidence and self-righteousness are among the evil one’s favorite weapons. Yet, no matter how clever, cunning, or deceitful the devils’ attempts, they are no match for the power of God’s love.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the division within the church by exhorting the Christians in Corinth to reaffirm their love and trust in God. Through the power of God’s grace through Christ Jesus, forgiveness is made available; relationships may be restored and people reconciled to one another.
The same is said for the church today. Even as Satan attempts to pull one away from another, the relationship we have in Christ is stronger. Paul teaches us that as we forgive, we are forgiven. As we build one another up in the presence of Christ, we are empowered to withstand the pokes and prods of those powers that defy God’s goodness and grace.
In these steps of our journey toward the cross of Christ, the people of God live together in trust and hope. As Paul points to our need to reaffirm our faith in the one true God who forgives sin, we also reaffirm the relationships God has established among his people. Living together for the sake of Christ, the church remains strong against any power that would attempt to drive a wedge between us. Thanks be to God.
Prayer: God our strength, give us the power to withstand temptation, that we may live together in faith and love. Amen.
In the Beginning 