What is the secret to harmonious relationships in a community? How do Christians live in peace and unity with one another? How do we avoid quarrels and conflicts, arguments and fighting among each other.. with each other?
Romans 15:1-7
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Principle 1: Please our neighbours for their good to build them up. In Hokkien: Uhm thang koh ka ki. Do not be selfish. We are not to please ourselves but to think how to please our neighbors.
Let Jesus be our example. He is the Son of God yet He did not please himself. He prayed if it is the Father’s will for the cup of the cross be taken away from him. Yet He obeyed unto death. He took our insults upon himself on the cross. In other words, it is all about humility. Humility is key to be selflessly pleasing others.
4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
How do we live a life to please our neighbours for their good? We look to the heroes of faith – those who lived before us. We read the Bible and study the stories of men and women who endured and persevered in hardships so that we can learn from their examples how to endure… so that we will be encouraged… so that we might have hope and not give up.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, it is God who enables us with the Spirit of unity and humility that Jesus had. It is God alone who grants us a spirit of endurance and encouragement to live at peace and in unity with one another. How? The Holy Spirit who lives in each of God’s children enables them to have the same attitude for each other – that they will have one mind and one goal only – that is to glorify God and Father of our Lord Jesus.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Bottomline:
What to do? Accept one another.
How? Just as Jesus accepted us.
Why? In order to glorify God.
Application:
Today, I will meet and be with people who are different from me, who think differently, do things differently, say things differently. Even my own husband and my children are different from me. We each have our strengths and weaknesses. Just as I benefit and glory in their strengths and things that they excel, I need to accept them as they are even their shortcomings.
Many things we may not see eye to eye. To have peace and harmony in the family, we all need to accept one another. Even in moments of conflicts, when one is unlovable, I need to remember how Jesus accepted me in all my weaknesses and unlovable moments. When I remember the grace and mercy that God gives to me, then it helps me to be gracious and merciful to others too.
What I do today, when I accept my neighbor for himself, when I do things to please my neighbor, I need to remember to do it to please God… that in all things God be glorified and man be edified. So help me, God. Amen.
