“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to
maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love
and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 New Living Translation
Paul’s closing to his 2nd
letter to the Corinthian brethren is applicable to us today. If this advice is
followed within the body of Christ you will find God’s favor and have his love
and peace as a cloak of grace about you. Sadly, this is not always attainable
due to personality conflicts, which tear at the fabric of the body. Acceptance
of those who are different than you in their faith-based beliefs can trip us
up. We want others to believe as we do; however, that begs the question, am I
correct in all my thoughts and beliefs about Christ? Agreeing to disagree,
especially regarding incidental issues, is far more productive than separating
over minutia.
If we live our lives exhibiting the joy
and maturity of a solid believer in Christ then we will endeavor to be a
blessing to others rather than to simply be blessed. A prayer we can pray each
day is: “Lord, bless me abundantly today;
not so I am blessed, but so I might bless others.” God will honor
that request because it embodies Philippians 2:3, “Don't
be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as
better than yourselves.”
Success in this life is not what we do for
ourselves to build up our own financial or social status, but rather what we do
for others. That is the true measure of a person. Especially when we don’t do
it for personal accolades. Do as Christ has done and be a success in the eyes
of God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
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