Living in Harmony
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Romans 15:5-7 (NLT)
Do you remember when you were little and you could make friends with anyone at any time? You just showed up on the playground and had a blast running, jumping and enjoying each other’s company. There was something about the innocence of childhood that allowed you to come together despite any differences in background, socioeconomic status, etc.
Somewhere along the way, that gets lost, barriers are erected, and lines are drawn. We is replaced by us and them. It’s sad, but it’s also not befitting of a Christ follower. We’re called to live in complete harmony with each other. But instead of uniting around the most important, Jesus, we tend to focus on secondary or even tertiary things and allow them to divide us. Just think through the last several years, and all that we’ve seen divide us.
A few chapters before this passage, Paul tells us that if it’s possible, as much as it depends on you, to live at peace with everybody (Romans 12:18). It’s not always possible because we can only control ourselves. But we are called to be a people of harmony and peace where we can.
Are you pursuing peace? Are you known in your home, job, community, etc., as a harmonious person? This is a long, arduous, often thankless work. But we do so because this is what our King has called us to. What step do you need to take today?
Application: Ask God to show you where there’s an absence of peace and harmony in your relationships. Who do you need to reach out to for forgiveness? Who do you need to forgive? What would prevent you from taking a step towards reconciliation and harmony?
Prayer:
Lord,
Help me to represent You well. Help me to love and forgive as You do. Use me as an agent of unity and harmony in my family, friend group, job, community and church. Lead me in Your ways.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?