The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Thursday
May 1, 2008
We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead
and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears
of those who think these things are wrong. We should please others. If we do
what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't
please himself. As the Scriptures say, Those who insult you are also insulting
me. Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give
us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises.
May God,
who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony
with each other—each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. Then
all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So accept each other just as Christ has
accepted you; then God will be glorified…So I pray that God, who gives you hope,
will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow
with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:1-7, 13
Back in the 70's Coca Cola had a TV commercial that touched many people. A
group of people were standing, with candles in hand, singing,
"I'd like
to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…"
The song was lovely, and
as a person who loves music, harmonizing with others brings me much joy as we
lift our voices to the Lord in worship ¾ so just
thinking of that song brings tears to my eyes. However, just as the song went a
step further, God too wants us to go a step further. The song, the real song,
went on to say,
"I'd like to buy the world a home and furnish it with
love… and that is our Father's desire for us."
Can you imagine a church whose love was in perfect harmony, standing together with the light of God's love shining in such brilliance that people are changed? It can happen, but it takes commitment and perseverance; two things God is teaching me to hold on to. In chapter fourteen, Paul is saying that we don't need to argue about things that are temporary, like food and the way we worship. We don't need to try to convince people to believe our way ¾ that is the job of the Holy Spirit. In whatever way a person chooses to worship God is their privilege. It is very hard for some of us to accept that and let go and let God.
Paul says that we need to be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong. There are people who believe that speaking in tongues, the spirit of laughter, being slain in the spirit, and even the glory I have spoken of are of Satan; that they are wrong. Instead of belittling these people or separating ourselves from them, we need to accept them and love them. Satan loves to build walls between God's children and it is up to us to bring the walls down.
We are to build them up in the Lord. One of our jobs as Christians is to build one another up, not cut one another down or condemn one another because there is something different in our belief system. As Paul reminds us, when people are insulting us they are actually insulting the Christ in us.
We are to come together in one voice and praise God, accept one another in the Spirit of love, and be servants one to another. When we do this, Satan is defeated and our Father smiles.
Father, please forgive us when we climb up on our soap box and declare that all people should worship as we worship. We know that You are the author of grace and mercy. We know that You know the heart of all people. You receive genuine worship, no matter what form. Grant us wisdom to walk and work in harmony and run the enemy from our camp.
