ROMANS 12:14\u201318<\/b><\/p>\n
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited<\/i><\/p>\n
(Romans 12:16)<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Here is a biblical call to seek a unity of belief, concern, and feelings. We see every day how easy it is for us to disagree with each other and to enter into arguments that can tear relationships apart. Paul tells us that we need to learn to seek after places where our minds can come together.<\/p>\n
Even when we disagree, we have to have an attitude of charity about that disagreement. No Christian deliberately sets out to distort the meaning of God\u2019s Word. That needs to be kept in our minds when we differ.<\/p>\n
Sometimes people go to the opposite extreme and try to suppress all disagreements. It is, however, obvious from his writings that the apostle Paul was very concerned about the specifics of truth and about settling disagreements. Thus, it is important to have good, healthy, positive arguments and discussions about issues that divide Christians. However, we have to avoid an argumentative spirit. In fact, Paul continues by ordering, \u201cDo not be proud.\u2026 Do not be conceited.\u201d It is arrogance that creates a contentious spirit and prevents healthy discussion of issues.<\/p>\n
As a theologian, I find it easy to appreciate the work of other theologians and to learn from them. I think that such mutual respect is generally true of \u201cwhite collar\u201d Christians. Paul goes out of his way, though, in verse 16 to tell us to listen to the insights of \u201cblue collar\u201d Christians as well: \u201cBe willing to associate with people of low position,\u201d or \u201cpeople who do menial work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Such people can very well have insights that white collar Christians don\u2019t have. Maybe that other person has eyes to see through my blind spots. Humility means being able to listen to people and being willing to give an honest consideration to what they\u2019re saying. It means being open to the whole body of Christ, the church.<\/p>\n
CORAM DEO<\/b><\/p>\n
Have you ever held a conviction that led you into an argument with someone else, only to find upon reflection that the other person was right and you were wrong? Such embarrassing events in our lives remind us that no one \u201chas it all.\u201d We very much need one another. Are you able to display the humble spirit of admitting error, and through forgiveness strive for harmony in your relationships?<\/p>\n
For further study: Matthew 5:3\u201312; James 1:9\u201311; 2:1\u201313<\/i><\/p>\n
tuesday<\/p>\n
october<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ROMANS 12:14\u201318 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited (Romans 12:16). Here is a biblical call to seek a unity of belief, concern, and feelings. We see every day how easy it is for us to disagree with … Continue reading “LIVING IN HARMONY”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11043\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}