The Best Glue
I was recently involved in a conversation with a brother in the Lord. We used to live in the same town, but that is no longer the case. In fact, it has not been true for over a quarter of a century. Thankfully, we haven’t let a “little thing” like geography keep us from having a close relationship with one another.
Part of that conversation had to do with a congregation with which both of us are very familiar. As the conversation moved along, the name of one particular man came up. He is now in eternity and has been for some time. Even though he is no longer a member of that congregation, his influence is still felt.
When his name came up in the conversation, my friend and brother told me how much he misses this good man. He then said something that is still buzzing around in my head:
He was the glue that held ________________ together.
I think I know exactly what he meant. The man about whom we were talking loved the Lord, his family, and the Lord’s people wherever they were. He especially loved the Lord’s people who were a part of the congregation my friend and I were discussing.
He loved all of the Lord’s people in that congregation. There were no barriers to that love. He did not let the things that divide people in communities, societies, and, yes, even churches cause him to treat people differently. He had time for people from all walks of life. He reached out to all kinds of people. He was kind (and when needed, lovingly firm) with everybody.
I am not implying that this man was perfect. All of us know that there has only been One who walked the earth who could be described that way.
What I am thinking and attempting to express is that the man who is now considered at least by one person as the glue that held some people together had a different definition of “love” from the definition used by some people. That definition seems to be based in some sort of gushy, mushy feeling. It may even include a “what’s in it for me” attitude.
It seems to me that our late brother did his best to model what has been referred to as “the highest form of love” found in the New Testament. Some of the attributes of that love are things like sacrifice and a desire for what is best for others. It has a lot less to do with feelings and much more with a decision to serve. As you may know, you can find more information about that kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a:
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. Love never ends… (ESV).
My recent conversation has made me do some serious thinking and consider some serious questions. For example, do you know of any relationships (families, churches, etc.) that dissolve or decline when one person is no longer a part of the picture? Was he/she the “glue” that held everything together?
If that is the case, may I suggest that the wrong “glue” is being used? Please allow me to explain what I mean.
When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he wrote the following words:
…[S]peaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love (Eph. 4:15-16, emphasis added).
Do you think that there is any chance that the “glue” that is needed to hold things together is love? Do you think that this could be especially true with regard to God’s people? Do you think that unity and harmony have much less to do with a particular person or a group of people? Do you think that there is a chance that those things have very little, if anything, to do with a program, a campaign, or some popular motivational technique?
Do you think that “the best glue” may have something to do with what the Lord said to His apostles shortly before He went to the cross?
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: 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, emphasis added).
While we are thinking about the answers to those questions, maybe we should consider what the Lord had to say to the church at Ephesus not all that many years after they had received Paul’s letter to them. After commending that church for some good things He knew about that church, the Lord said:
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent (Rev. 2:4-5, ESV, emphasis added).
I realize that there is some question about the meaning of “the love you had at first” or, as the King James Bible translates it, “thy first love.” I’m thinking, though, that a love for the Lord, His word, His work, and His people would be a pretty effective “glue” for holding things together.
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
