Devo Day 5: The "Our"...

Reference:

Malachi 2:10

10 Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?

1 John 4:7

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Ephesians 4:3

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

(New International Version, ©2011, http://www.biblegateway.com/)

Thoughts:

I experienced a great challenge this week. A clash of beliefs among believers ironically pertaining to mercy. It was so frustrating!! Out of it came so much judgment. People who were supposed to “love your neighbor” positioned themselves for bitter criticism instead of sitting at the table of conversation. In anger I reacted with a notion to withdraw. I’d had enough of these “losers”. God, my good Father, reminded me of mercy done HIS way. His beautiful mercy applied to the lost was also extended to the “found”…even His kids that find it so difficult to get along.

Why is it that brothers and sisters in Christ make fists rather than grab hands? It seems to be one of Satan’s greatest victories in the church…driving in stakes to cut the “ties that bind”. It’s not just him though. We too easily agree with his lies.

God made us to be “we”. It’s worth fighting for…

Reflection:

How are your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Is there something more you could do to preserve the bond of peace in community?

Optional Song: “The Servant Song” by The Maranatha Singers

“That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick