It has often been said that any church would be perfect if it weren’t for all the people! And it is true that wherever there are people, there will be struggles and there will be conflicts. It’s noteworthy that among Jesus’s first and most explicit instructions about the local church are the ones that pertain to the resolution of interpersonal conflict (Matthew 18:15-20).
Yet it’s equally true that the unity of Christ’s people is meant to be a unique mark of the church and one that will be attractive to others. Jesus said, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
We are prone to find fault in the local church and especially in the other members of the local church. We can allow the sins and imperfections of others to drive us away from fellowship. But perhaps, like Spurgeon, we should take our inspiration from Jesus. Spurgeon once said, “I have no doubt that the Lord can see more fault in His church than I can; and I have equal confidence that He sees no fault at all.” Though his all-seeing eye and all-knowing mind spots every imperfection, he still draws near instead of running away. And so should we.
