On Christian Living

Dearly Beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. Philippians 2v2-3 (AMPC) says “Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].” If believers lived like this, our habitation together will be marked with love and peace. We live in a building with a lot of different apartments. One day, we heard a lot of noise, a few people came out to understand what was going on. It turns out that a man was beating a woman in another apartment. Another day, we heard some commotion – it turned out that the woman had called the police on the man who later ran away. The housing agent have asked the couple to move out because of the constant disruption. I do not know the cause of contention, but used this as an illustration of perhaps what Paul is encouraging our lives not to be.

 

Romans 12v16-18 (NLT) says “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Amen.  John 13v34-35 (NLT) says “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” Beloved, let us walk in love; love that is patient, kind, not jealous or boastful or proud or rude, does not demand its own way, is not irritable, keeps no record of wrong doing, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices when truth and right prevail, love that never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13v4-7). Amen.

 

Prayer

Father, we thank You for today. We thank You for Your Word. We bless Your holy name. We thank You because You have poured Your love in our hearts by Your Holy Spirit. We thank You because the evidence of Your Spirit in us is love. We yield to You Spirit of God, that we may walk in love and abound in love, and continue to grow in knowledge and understanding in Jesus name, amen.