Theme: OVERCOMING THE STRESSES OF THE AGE
Text: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” – Psalm 133:1-3.
Comment: The first principle that enables people of God to be united and therefore reduces frictions and stresses among them is for them to be generally determined to do the will of God. (Deuteronomy 4:6) Where differences of opinion arise on any matter, they are decided on the basis of the Scriptures. No one leans to his own understanding but follows our Lord’s example in that he never does his own will but the will of the Father. – John 6:38; Isaiah 55:7.
Adherence to the word of God demands faith which makes one to put aside his personal opinions and preferences to submit to that of God, one’s eyes focused on the goal of salvation. (James 1:25) With such attitude of mind people of God will not allow the stresses they face to make them to give in to such vices as anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, lie-telling, seeing that they have “put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” – Colossians 3:8-11.
We should pray to “have the same care one for another” that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” -1 Corinthians 12:13,25,26