April 4, 2022 INSTRUCTIONS FOR DAILY LIVING
Romans 15:1-6 “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me.’” For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
The written word of God challenges the greatest minds, and yet it gives clear and easily understood practical insights on daily living. The life of the believer should be an expression of the life of God at work in the believer; the nature of God-what He is like-is to be reflected in the life we live. Jesus humbled Himself and came as a man to bear our sins and to reveal the love of God and to demonstrate to the world the character of God. Jesus is our example. We know from the scriptures, and from our own experience, that we are not capable of living up to the example of Jesus in our own strength; only through the working of the Holy Spirit in us can we live according to the ways of God. The passage above is a beautiful example of some of the practical instructions on how believers are to conduct themselves. Instead of complaining about or looking down on someone who is weak, lend them a hand and bear their weakness; we are not to focus on pleasing ourselves. Concerning our neighbor, we are to bless them and edify them; our neighbor is not limited to those who live beside us. Sometimes we may think that the Christian life should be smooth sailing-but if that was the case, we would not need to persevere and would not need to be encouraged. In this life where we face difficulties, we need hope, and hope is found in the scriptures. Also, God is about His people being in unity; we are to pursue unity and peace with other believers and we are to accept one another-even though they may not be like us and even though we may not be naturally drawn to them; our acceptance of others is based on each of us belonging to the body of Christ; we accept others just as God accepted us. God has been gracious to give us the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us to live life according to the ways of the God-even in this fallen world. Let us read God’s word with the mindset of receiving instructions for daily living.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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