Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7 ESV)\
\
In Greek, this kind of love is behavioural. It does not matter how we feel. It is not a sentiment, and it is not a branding strategy. Paul describes a love that takes an enormous amount of time to boil over and absorbs friction without exploding or creating imbalance.\
\
My heart is heavy for churches that hire PR agencies and Business Development Specialists while insisting they preach a pure and whole gospel.\
\
Love does not boast. In Greek, it means love does not parade itself.\
\
Love is not puffed up. It does not inflate reputation while deflating the vulnerable.\
\
Love does not keep a record of wrongs. It does not maintain quiet ledgers of those who speak out or against the "narrative". \
\
Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing. It does not protect systems at the expense of truth, nor does it tolerate theology laced with human preference that causes people to stumble from their faith.\
\
Brothers and sisters, we must confront the problem in the Church where image management moves faster than repentance, and where stepping down can still mean a protected income regardless of the damage done to those under their care. If we are preaching the gospel of Jesus, why are we not acting like Him, shielding those entrusted to us and stewarding what the LORD has blessed for His purpose?\
\
If love is cruciform, then it is shaped like a cross. That means it will cost us reputation, power and comfort. Scripture calls us to love. It does not call us to protect abusers for the integrity of an organisation or a brand. The moment we suggest that is acceptable, we reveal how far we have drifted.\
\
There is a sickness in the Church. The answer is not silence. The answer is light, truth and repentance so that healing can take place.\
\
Join me in praying for Australia.\
\
\
Blessings,\
Emp.\
\
#emp #brointhespirit #sisinthespirit #monkeyrevival #kangarooanointing #revivalnotwar #AustralianChristian #SydneyChurch #ChurchInAustralia #ChristianLeadership #ChurchHealth #ProtectTheVulnerable
