For centuries, the church has sometimes had the unfortunate reputation of bitter wrangling and vicious disagreement. There have been opposing denominations and those within the same denomination claiming to know the true interpretation of Scripture and its application to daily life. These days, many Christian leaders are calling for less division and greater humility as we practice our faith together.
Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome was written at a time of growing dissension between Gentile and Jewish Christians. So it sets out the foundational principles of the Christian faith, with an encouragement to all believers to overlook petty disagreements and embrace one another in love (Romans 12:9-10, Romans 13:8).
As Christians, we’re reminded that our traditions and practices don’t make us any better or worse than others. Rather, we all wrestle with sin and desperately need God’s grace (Romans 3:9, Romans 6:20-23).
Simply striving to obey laws or do good works can’t restore the broken fellowship with our Creator (Romans 3:27-28). We’re “made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22); and when we do that, we naturally fulfill the law (Romans 3:31). Then, as we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can more obediently follow God and His Word—including the instruction to do good to others.
In Galatians 6:9-13, Paul encourages us to do good to everyone—especially to those who are part of the household of faith. He also urges us to genuinely love and honor one another as we have the opportunity. Finally, we’re called to help when God’s people are in need and to live in harmony and at peace with our brothers and sisters in Jesus (Romans 12:9-18). In this way, we can overcome the bad rep and show that we are Christians by our love.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 4:1-29
More:
Read John 13:35 and consider what it says happens when believers in Jesus love one another. Read Ephesians 4:32 to see what will help us to have healthy relationships in the church.
Next:
Who has been excluded from your life because you’re holding tightly to a church tradition or disputable view? What will you do this week to show God’s love to all believers?
Gary Shultz on July 9, 2014 at 6:29 am
Wow, how right you are, we really get that plank and splinter thing going when it comes to the household of faith. Many times the closer we are the worse we react. I agree with you, we are told we must be a picture of Christ’s love. It should start with the house of faith not be the last place applied.
Tom Felten on July 9, 2014 at 9:24 am
Ruth, I’m reminded of the old chorus, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.” May we truly live out Matthew 22:37-39 today!
Ruth O'reilly-smith on July 10, 2014 at 1:57 am
Thanks Gary and Tom. We often find it most difficult to be consistently kind to those who are closest to us – whether our family at home or our brothers and sisters in Christ. What good is it if we show love, kindness and understanding to strangers but we are impatient, rude and dismissive of those who really know us and are closest to us. I pray God’s grace will flow from the inside out like a ripple effect – first to those who are closest to us and then further and further out.