One of the most important things that we can do as Christians is to love each other!!! And part of truly loving each other is learning to get along and work well with each other!!! And yes, that means that you have to show and treat every one with love!!!
Jesus told the disciples that everyone would know that they were HIS disciples by their LOVE one for one another!!! And since we are also HIS DISCIPLES, this applies to you and me as well!!!
John 13:34-35 (KJV)
34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
You know, if you love me, then you will put up with my little quirks or my strange habits!!! You will love me despite ALL MY FAULTS!!!
And if I love you, the way Christ tells us to love each other, I will treat you kindly and say nice things to you!!! I will NOT turn up my nose when you come into the church kitchen or try to sing in the choir.
As a saint of GOD, I have been in ALL kinds of churches!! And unfortunately, I have been in churches and seen the members arguing and fussing!!! And I am telling you that God did not get any glory out of their misbehavior!!!
Quite frankly, when I walk into the house of the LORD, I ought to be able to feel the love of God!!! If people really love God, it shows!!! You can feel it!!! Folks should NEVER see anyone arguing or fussing in GOD’s house!!!
God tells us in HIS WORD how we should act.
Titus 3:1-11 (CEV)
1 Remind your people to obey the rulers and authorities and not to be rebellious. They must always be ready to do something helpful
2 and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone.
3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.
4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind He is.
5 He saved us because of His mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.
6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us His Spirit.
7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.
8 This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.
9 But don't have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
10 Warn troublemakers once or twice. Then don't have anything else to do with them.
11 You know that their minds are twisted, and their own sins show how guilty they are.
Here is what Paul told the Corinthians about their fussing and fighting. You see, Paul rightfully expected the people attending the Corinthian Church to act better than those that are unsaved and living in the world; those who do not know Christ as their Savior!!!
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (CEV)
1 My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned.
2 So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot,
3 because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.
4 Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn't that how ordinary people behave?
5 Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen.
6 I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow.
7 What matters isn't those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow.
8 The one who plants is just as important as the one who waters. And each one will be paid for what they do.
9 Apollos and I work together for God, and you are God's garden and God's building.
If we, as God’s children act like those out in the world, then why would anyone want to come to church; let alone get to know JESUS; OUR LORD AND SAVIOR!!!
Philippians 2:1-4 (CEB)
1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy,
2 complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.
3 Don’t do anything for selfish purposes but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.
4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.
2 complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.
3 Don’t do anything for selfish purposes but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.
4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.
If CHRIST can’t change our lives, then why follow HIM!!! The truth is that KNOWING CHRIST AND REALIZING HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU, REALLY DOES CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!! IT MAKES YOU WANT TO LIVE FOR HIM!!!
So, if for some reason a person doesn’t seem to act saved, then our job is to LOVE THEM and PRAY FOR THEM, and KEEP ON LOVING THEM as CHRIST KEPT ON LOVING US!!!
GOD LOVES US JUST AS WE ARE!!! HE continues to love us and work with us while we are learning to depend on HIM. And one day, we will get it right!!!
GOD doesn’t give up on us when we make mistakes or when we do stupid things!!! THANK YOU LORD FOR NOT GIVING UP ON US!!!
HE NEVER GAVE UP ON ME!!! AND I THANK HIM FOR NOT GIVING UP!!!
AND I KNOW IF GOD CAN SAVE ME, THEN HE CAN SAVE ANYONE!!! YES, I SAID ANYONE!!!
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