Which part of this week's verse has the greatest impact on you?
One of the things that hits me first is that Paul calls us his "dear brothers" at the beginning of his exhortation to us? Are you amazed that you share sibling status with the great Apostle? In the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters, no one greater than the other. If Paul can put himself on the same plane as you and me, maybe we need to think about how we're regarding others. We really shouldn't exalt any person to a higher status and we shouldn't look down on anyone as having lower status...as the saying goes, "the ground is level at the foot of the cross."
This certainly isn't the main focus of our verse, but I think it is worth considering. It is so very easy for us as humans to put someone that we regard highly...say Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or a great Bible study teacher like Jim McKee who leads our Sunday Bible study group...on a pedestal and to look up to them and feel that hold a higher place of esteem in God's eyes.
Or on the other hand, we look at those who struggle with addictions of various types, or Christians who seem to stall in their walk, or those who just don't advance in their walk of faith as quickly as we think they should, and feel that they certainly can't be viewed by God in the same way as those we previously mentioned.
But as Peter pointed out in the Book of Acts (10:34), "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons."
The truth of the matter is that, as we've already learned, we all fall short and we truly are all "brothers" as Paul addressed us. We are brothers and sisters in our sinfulness, and we are brothers and sisters in the receiving of God's mercy on us. And gloriously, we will be brothers and sisters in eternity as we worship God together.
I was particularly blessed this past weekend to spend time with some of my wonderful "sisters", worshipping and learning and just enjoying each other in the beautiful setting of Glen Eyrie. There is something very special about sharing time with Christian women, knowing that you all are striving toward a common goal...a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and a more complete sacrificing of ourselves to the purposes of God.
I'm thanking God tonight for all of my Christian brothers and sisters, so many that I do not yet know, but that I will get to know over the eternal ages...even my brother Paul!
One of the things that hits me first is that Paul calls us his "dear brothers" at the beginning of his exhortation to us? Are you amazed that you share sibling status with the great Apostle? In the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters, no one greater than the other. If Paul can put himself on the same plane as you and me, maybe we need to think about how we're regarding others. We really shouldn't exalt any person to a higher status and we shouldn't look down on anyone as having lower status...as the saying goes, "the ground is level at the foot of the cross."
This certainly isn't the main focus of our verse, but I think it is worth considering. It is so very easy for us as humans to put someone that we regard highly...say Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or a great Bible study teacher like Jim McKee who leads our Sunday Bible study group...on a pedestal and to look up to them and feel that hold a higher place of esteem in God's eyes.
Or on the other hand, we look at those who struggle with addictions of various types, or Christians who seem to stall in their walk, or those who just don't advance in their walk of faith as quickly as we think they should, and feel that they certainly can't be viewed by God in the same way as those we previously mentioned.
But as Peter pointed out in the Book of Acts (10:34), "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons."
The truth of the matter is that, as we've already learned, we all fall short and we truly are all "brothers" as Paul addressed us. We are brothers and sisters in our sinfulness, and we are brothers and sisters in the receiving of God's mercy on us. And gloriously, we will be brothers and sisters in eternity as we worship God together.
I was particularly blessed this past weekend to spend time with some of my wonderful "sisters", worshipping and learning and just enjoying each other in the beautiful setting of Glen Eyrie. There is something very special about sharing time with Christian women, knowing that you all are striving toward a common goal...a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ and a more complete sacrificing of ourselves to the purposes of God.
I'm thanking God tonight for all of my Christian brothers and sisters, so many that I do not yet know, but that I will get to know over the eternal ages...even my brother Paul!
1 comment:
It is by God's Love and Mercy that we are able to live our lives, pleasing to God. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we then sacrifice a life of evil, we join with other Believers to form a shield against evil. Our relationships with Believers form a family. We become the brothers and sisters in Christ with God as our Father. God loves each of us and we are all important to God. We all matter. Paul is urging Believers to come together as brother and sisters. He ask that we join God's Family. He is urging us to live pure lives that please our Father. I need to recognize God's Love and his Power today. I want to join the Family of Believers and the Family of all that God Loves.
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