Notes of Faith March 25, 2025
Getting Along
A friend loves at all times…. The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 17:17, 27, NIV
It’s not always easy being with other Christians. Yes, we’re brothers and sisters in Christ, and the Bible stresses love and unity among children of God. But some Christians simply rub us the wrong way. They can hurt us, and we can disagree with them.
Sometimes the problem is our own impatience, intolerance, stubbornness, and pride. Remember, in any church there are people with varying levels of maturity. Some are new believers, and some who have begun attending may not yet know Christ at all. All this can cause misunderstandings among us. Remember, too, that it’s hard to know what’s going on in the life of another. Sometimes we’re the object of misplaced anger. Someone who snaps at you might be struggling with overwhelming problems that have created frustration in the soul.
The Bible gives timeless advice: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18, NIV). What can you do to be more even-tempered in your relationships?
Friendship is an irreplaceable gift in the life of a Christian. Through the hurts we experience, God exposes, changes, and sanctifies us.
Kelly Needham
Rom 12:14-21
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. 20 "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We are to imitate the love of God. God is love! Love = sacrifice, love often = suffering and emotional pain. We are to love, to lift up, to pray for those in need of an understanding of Jesus, who He is, what He has done for them, and even for the believer that they would grow in the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ and be further transformed into His image. We are called to reflect His glory and be like Him. Even when hurting, let us pursue the purpose of God in our lives…to believe in Jesus and lead others to be filled to all the fulness of God in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Dale