"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34
It's so easy to get frustrated when people don't agree with us or even have the exact same convictions as we do. We are each on a journey with the Lord and we shouldn't compare or think we are better than other believers. Yes, there are black and white issues of sin, but there are also areas where we can give grace.
In Acts15 we read about when a few of the apostles addressed believers that belonged to the party of the Pharisees. The apostles testified that the Gentiles were in fact saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, and that circumcision according to the law of Moses was not required for their salvation. How about that...Spirit filled believers that didn't think other Spirit filled believers were doing it right. This happens today! The Lord gave these men words of peace, order, direction, and encouragement to both sides.
I am so blessed to have many brothers and sisters in Christ that don't do life exactly like I do. Some run, some walk, and some have to crawl on their journey. Some sing hymns with a piano, some dance with drums, some raise their hands and some fall to their knees. God loves it all. All He wants is our heart! It hurts my heart when my kids don't treat each other as they should, and so I imagine God feels the same when His unique children that host His presence can't appreciate that He created us all different, yet each in His image.
Everything the members of the first church did required the Holy Spirit to lead them. Why on earth would we be any different? I pray today that we wait on the Lord for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and that we not argue with others that are filled with the same Spirit even if their journey looks different. Let's encourage each other and love each other! Yes, there are times of correction, but that's in love also. Let's focus on the main thing, the thing we have in common: we are loved by the Father, Jesus is our Savior, and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Blessings to you today my friend!!
Dig Deeper
Acts 15 | 1 Peter 4:8 | Ephesians 4:32
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