Wednesday, September 22, 2010

What Is More Important?

I am quite certain that God loves seeing His children loving on, and enjoying one another, yielding their rights in order to keep peace and unity...being considerate...being compassionate.

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3
 
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Jesus prayed for His followers in John 17 just before He went to the cross that we would be one as He and the Father are One.
 
I don't know if you are seeing what I am seeing in our "Christian world" where ideas clash like waves on the Lake Superior shore. Where people defend their rights instead of giving up something in order to not offend a brother or sister in the Lord. Where self~righteous name~calling seems the popular thing to do when someone is offended by another's choices or by a loving rebuke. "Judgememtal" and "Legalistic" are thrown around like one serving a tennis ball...people seem unbending, unyielding...
 
Where is the love of Jesus in His followers? Where is our willingness to lay down our lives for the brethren? Where is our self~denial? Where is our humility? Where is our desire for HIM when we are unwilling to submit to one another out of reverence for Him?
 
Let's read and spread the message of Romans 14 and 15. Particularly Romans 15:2-5:
 
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, if it grieves me, it must grieve you more that people love things and ideas more than You and one another. Please help us to honor You by submitting to one another and walking in unity. Forgive us for our self-protective ways. Help us to be willing to lay down. To once again climb up on the altar and Romans 12:1,2 for YOU!
In Jesus' Name~Amen.

2 comments:

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

A good reminder to love with an agape love... a "best interest" love rather than self-interest. I want to always love purely and with my Father's heart. I don't want to harm; and while I may not always agree with my brothers/sisters regarding certain issues, I can love.

Always love, because everyone is in God's best interest.

Keep to it, friend.

peace~elaine

Tammi said...

Had a situation today that made me think of this! Yielding our rights to others. instead of voicing our feelings, just "letting them go" in order to "keep the peace." So glad I stopped by today. . this just reinforced what the Lord was talking to me about a little while ago. :) Hope things are going well with your country store! I bet it's be-a-u-ti-ful! Happy Fall!

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