Accept One Another 4

Romans 16:17-19

Almost every child has had to deal with a bully at school or in the neighborhood. Or perhaps we have had to deal with others whom we find unpleasant. The simplest solution, of course, is to just avoid the people with whom you have problems.

This simple approach is also supported by Paul in his letter to Rome. What warning does he offer? How does he suggest dealing with these people? What motivates these people? What does Paul desire?

As we examine the call for each of us to accept one another, we must also look at those individuals who are part of our faith family who refuse to accept one another. It is very common in almost every church family or faith group to have a few individuals who just do not comprehend the teachings of Christ. These persons are unable for some reason or another to accept what the Bible teaches.

Instead, they are caught up in their own desires and their own motivations. Who among us has not encountered at least one member of our faith family who served their own appetites rather than the Lord?

In Romans 14:13 Paul refers to our judgmental attitudes as causing stumbling blocks and obstacles for others in the faith. Here he also uses the term “obstacles” when talking about those who cause division and unrest.

Those people who will serve themselves rather than God, who will cause division in a family of faith, who will throw out obstacles and stumbling blocks for others are the kind of people who will not be accepting of other people and other ideas.

The solution is to avoid these individuals. Do not allow yourself to be caught up in their deceits or their false and erroneous ways of thinking.

As true followers of Christ we are to be accepting of one another, welcoming other ideas and embracing people different from ourselves. We are not to be part of a group who will deceive the minds of others or cause division in the family of faith.

As Paul encourages, we should be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be wise about what is good?

Prince of Peace 2

Matthew 2:1-6

The newspaper in our hometown held a “Secret Santa” contest. The idea was that a small Santa figurine was hidden somewhere within the city limits and daily clues in the paper helped you figure out where it might be. The person who found the tiny Santa figure could redeem it for the cash prize.

The contest was slow to start, but soon it seemed that everyone was looking for that little Santa figure. It was what people talked about, and it got people going all over the town to try to find it.

This passage from Matthew is a familiar story of the visit from the wise men. These men who are so often portrayed as kings may have been astronomers or learned scholars, or they may indeed have been wealthy and powerful leaders. Their own background is of less importance than what they did.

These men apparently had a great deal of means at their disposal. Their gifts were valuable. They were given an audience with King Herod. They had the money to travel a great distance. All these are indicators that these Magi had wealth and influence.

But part of the wisdom of these wise men was the wisdom to know that one greater than themselves had been born. Indeed, one who was greater than any king on earth had arrived, and they recognized the importance of this birth. They knew that the child born was the greatest king, and this is the reason they traveled so far simply to offer praise to Jesus.

They were willing to make a lengthy journey. They were willing to bring expensive gifts to honor the new king. They were willing to seek guidance and direction on how to find this king. It was all worth the effort, to lay eyes on the baby Jesus, Son of the Lord Most High.

We must not allow ourselves to get caught up in the celebration and gift-giving of the season. We should not allow the cost and number of gifts, the business of entertaining, or the traditions of Christmas to keep us from having a clear vision of why we are celebrating Christmas. We should be willing to put effort into finding the heart of the Christmas story, the centerpiece of the holidays. We should be willing to lay our own gifts before this Prince of Peace we honor.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you keep Christ in the center of your Christmas?

Prince of Peace 1

Luke 2:8-14

In the ministry there are times when the holidays are less than joyous occasions. The holidays often can mean more work, extra services, extra activities that make a full work schedule overflow with activity. And this kind of stress is not limited to people in the ministry. There are times when the extra expense and worry of holiday activities can feel like too much to deal with. Sometimes it seems easier and better to go through the monotony of the every-day, average work week.

The shepherds in this story quite possibly were the kind of people who wanted to be left alone. It is possible that they wanted to simply do their work – watch the sheep – and be at peace. But instead on that night so long ago an angel broke the silence of the night and interrupted the ordinary with extraordinary news.

These shepherds, average workers just doing their jobs, were presented with an incredible message, good news of great joy. They were among the first to hear that God had presented the world with a gift of tremendous love.

Not far from where they were a baby had been born. And that baby was Jesus Christ, God in human form. And he was the Savior to all people. Then the angels explained in their song what it all meant. There would be peace for those on whom God’s favor rested.

This was worth the interruption. This was worth having the comfortable and ordinary disrupted because the interruption was a great and glorious message. The Prince of Peace had been born. God’s peace, the peace that comes from knowing that we are loved by God, that we are forgiven by God, had come to earth.

In the hurry and worry of the holidays, in the extra work and the busy activities, we need to recognize the importance of what we are celebrating. It is more than extra work for us. Christmas is a celebration of the fantastic news, the good and glorious news, that God offers peace to those who will accept Christ as Savior.

When we feel overwhelmed by the holidays, when we feel worn out by all that needs to be done, let us find the time to know in our hearts that the true peace of God has been given to each of us. And let us find comfort and gladness in knowing that we have that peace, that it has been given as a gift to all.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you be reminded of God’s peace this holiday season?