Friends in Christ Message for January 22, 2011

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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
January 22, 2011

I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (Message*)

It is so easy to get upset with one another. Differences in patterns of living, ways of communicating, doctrinal details, and many other things can lead to division. Perceived slights can lead to anger and sharp words with each other.

Paul apparently saw these things in the church in Corinth. He brought it up as a serious and urgent concern. Under Jesus' authority, he told them they must get along with each other.

We are the recipients of God's amazing love and grace. We have been adopted out of this great love into the family of God. We are siblings in Christ, and it is imperative that we show love and consideration to one another. Nothing which divides us is remotely as important as our bond of fellowship in Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, if unity has been broken between you and another follower of Jesus Christ, pray earnestly about this and seek guidance on how to show love and grace towards your brother or sister in Christ. Do not seek to get your own way or to obtain redress for any perceived offenses by your brother or sister, but seek with all your heart to restore unity in Christian fellowship. Seek to look at your brother or sister in Christ with the same love with which Christ looks at you.

Bill Samuel

* The Message version © by Eugene H. Peterson.