May the God of guidance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another. – Romans 15:5
Have you been a part of a group that was living in harmony? If not, you might mistakenly think of robotic people in similar clothes demonstrating and holding signs. However, harmony is based on differences. A beautiful chord of music is made up of several different notes played simultaneously.
Unity among people requires diversity without disorganization; a throng of voices without chaos. Opinions are a source of much division and God’s people are not immune. Of course, you are entitled to your opinion and many of your viewpoints may be thoroughly researched, giving you confidence in your position. But that assurance may present a problem. What is more important to you… being right or being loving? Any opinion you hold that leaves no space for fellowship with less informed or simply disagreeing fellow believers puts you out of step in God’s Kingdom!
Jesus kept company with ordinary people on Earth. He ‘canceled’ no one but pointed everyone directly towards God’s love. His humble approach turned the religious world upside down by literally loving people into a new understanding of a Spirit-led life.
Making peace is not passivity or disingenuous agreement, it is a commitment to love your fellow disciples over being right. Pray that God’s people across America will choose to put on love and seek unity, strengthening God’s Kingdom on Earth. Ask that the beautiful harmony of peace with those dedicated to Christ will be evident across the nation.
Today’s Verse: Romans 15:5
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 14:1-7
14 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
