Relationships And Living At Peace With Fellow Christians
In Romans chapter 14, Paul is talking about how we should get along with other people, especially brothers and sisters in the Lord who might have different convictions than ours. Further, our convictions should not cause them to stumble in theirs. How can we know what God is doing in someone else’s life?
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Scripture:
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” – Romans 14:17
Observation/Application:
Today’s chosen scripture to me has been very helpful in connecting with people in all different walks of life, and in all different levels of faith. From the person who is just being introduced to God and the Bible, to the pastor who has devoted their entire life to the study of scripture, our goal should be to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ, just as Christ loved us.
If we listen and understand where a person is at in their walk with Christ, we can better support what God is doing in their lives. What a joy it is to be able to support someone in their faith walk, and to help bring someone closer to God. What a gift also to be able to spend time with and learn from someone wise in scripture and close to the Lord. When we learn and grow in our walk we ultimately are able to help more, and to give more ourselves.
So when we have differences of opinion, let us remember that we are all members of the same body of Christ. Let us do our best to get along, to live in peace, and to work together for the mutual benefit and advancement of the Will of God. Let us seek peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. And whatever we do, let it be unto the Lord!
#Seeking-Common-Ground-And-Seeing-The-Best-In-Our Brothers-And-Sisters-In-Christ
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for another day to walk upon this earth. Convict us in our hearts to seek you first. Let our lives be blessed with the goodness and fullness of the kingdom of God. Let your Holy Spirit do good work in us, that we might do a good work while we are here. Help us to be a blessing to others, to understand each other’s perspectives, and to live in peace and work toward mutual benefit. Help us to love everyone who you bring upon our path today. Help us to find peace and purpose, joy and rest, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14
Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:
- “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:4,5
- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30,31
- “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” – Colossians 3:23