The church acquires a certain reputation over time in the eye of the community. Sometimes that reputation can be deservedly negative, as also the people of God in Scripture experienced on account of their sins. This article explains that the Lord does this in order to bring his people to their senses, and to turn them in faith to him.

This article considers what conflict in the church looks like, and how brotherly love should prevail instead. Direction is taken from Proverbs 6, as well as 1 John 3.