Dee’s family openly aired their disagreements. Jerome’s family did their best to avoid conflict. When they got married, you can imagine how that worked out.
Let’s be honest, relationships are tough. Whether it’s your family or a friendship, every relationship takes time and effort in order to work. The same is true for the church. The body of Christ is made up of people of different backgrounds, personalities and experiences. We each bring something unique to the table and then we are commanded to love each other. How does that work? Won’t our differences cause arguments and division? They can, unless we all start from the same point – Jesus Christ.
In 1 Peter 3, the church is told to be of ‘one mind’. We are all supposed to lay aside our own thoughts and attitudes for the thoughts and attitudes of Jesus. How do we do this? We jump into God’s Word and in the process; our minds are transformed more and more into the mind of Christ. As we grow, we begin learning how to love, forgive, show compassion and have mercy. When we start with a desire to be like Christ, we end up united with our brothers and sisters who are doing the same. So today, if there is tension in a relationship, look to the Bible and begin loving like Jesus.
Life Lesson: Unity in church starts with each person submitting to God’s Word.
You’ll be happy to know that Dee and Jerome just celebrated their 30th year of marriage.
David McGee is the founder of Cross The Bridge Ministries as well as a pastor, teacher and author. He may be contacted using the form below.
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Column #14-0304 (Life Lesson based on 1 Peter 3:8 teaching)