Getting On Together

June 11th, 2009

There was disagreement in the Cabinet.  Gordon Brown has reshuffled his top team.  In some Churches, leaders are falling out. Family members are at odds, often through a misunderstanding, jealousy or thoughtless words or actions.  Disunity is destructive.  

Maintaining good relationship is one of the most difficult, yet one of the most important things. Jesus said in Matthew 12:25  ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand’.  But Psalm 133 states  ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! … for there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for ever more.’  

Therefore, it is so important that we work at being in harmony with others as far as we possibly can. Paul instructs the Ephesian Christians to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Jesus gave instructions in Matthew 18:15-17 about what to do if a fellow believer hurts you. The first thing to do is go and have a chat with the person, work it out between the two of you. 

The early Christians in Acts 2 had something very special between them. They lived in a wonderful harmony, a togetherness, a fellowship, holding everything in common. And that was very attractive to onlookers.  

Our attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ, who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, becoming a human.  

So we’re to do everything without complaining or arguing, so that we may become blameless and pure  children of God. We’re to shine like stars in a crooked and depraved  generation. Today, God’s asking you to swallow your pride, to let go of equality, to turn the other cheek, to forgive, to forbear, to bless those you find difficult, and to pray for them. 

Getting on well together is a high priority, and brings great blessing.  

David Thatcher
 

Filed under: Thought of the Week