“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:4-7
Devotional Thought For The Day
The harmony that God envisions for His people is centered in what “was written in former days for our instruction.” Further, such harmony is “in accord with Christ Jesus,” His teaching, and especially what the Scripture teaches about Him, our dear Savior and Lord. When we meet fellow Christians, those who know and believe the truth about God’s great love for us and the wondrous gift of salvation which Christ has secured for us, we are to welcome them – just as Christ has welcomed us! That is, we are to rejoice that the love of God has claimed them for His kingdom just as in His gracious love He has brought us out of darkness and into the glorious light of the kingdom of His beloved Son. [1 Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13] All of this is to the glory of God, for “by grace you are saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [Eph. 2:8,9] We should recognize and celebrate this miraculous and loving work of God, and give Him all thanks, praise, and glory!
However, the “Christianity” that exists in the world today is quite varied and nuanced – and it has distinctive “histories.” Much of the “instruction” is shared, and is based in a correct understanding of “the encouragement of the Scriptures,” conforming to God’s Word, the Bible. This is what we should celebrate, welcoming and affirming this oneness with which we glorify and praise God. At the same time we recognize the significance [and the dangers and vulnerabilities] of anything that differs from the written Word of God, and certainly cannot “affirm” what contradicts God’s Word and detracts from His glory. This is especially the case with anything that is not in accord with the assurances of Scripture in regard to our salvation in Christ Jesus. And this is just as important and critical as our “welcoming,” and is equally the teaching and warning of Holy Scripture [Rom. 16:17].
So our “welcoming” is also somewhat nuanced and compromised – in view of the reality that all Christians do not always “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” with one voice. This should not create joy in us, or serve as some sort of basis for pride – rather it is deeply lamentable, a cause for sorrow and concern, and something that in humility, love, and compassion we seek to correct, so that we might be able to actualize this will of God for unity in our confession and praise of God, a unity based in the historic Scriptures, the Bible, the Word of God. Obviously, if we ignore the differences and just “agree to disagree,” this unity will never actualize; in fact, the disunity will only expand. And if we seek to build a unity on something other than the Scripture and the assurances of God’s wondrous gift of life and salvation in Christ Jesus, such “unity” will not be with God and His Son Jesus Christ, nor will it be to the praise of His glorious grace. In short, it will be useless and worthless.
So we must live with the tension – and keep it strong. We must be welcoming one another, all Christians, in the love of Christ. We must also be striving for oneness of faith, confession, and praise of God based on Holy Scripture, the Bible. As strenuously as we do the one thing, just so strenuously must we do the other – that we be working toward and contributing to what God wills for His church, His dear people of faith. This is difficult and painful for us – and we are constantly tempted to give up and capitulate to either lovelessness or compromise. We must do neither, but emulating the patient love of Jesus we continue to encourage, uplift, strengthen, challenge, and gently confront one another – as all of God’s dear children of faith move forward by His grace to His glorious eternal kingdom. In so doing, the critical component is God’s Word, Holy Scripture, by which He is able to work all of these blessings in our hearts and minds!
Scripture Cited
1 Pet. 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Col. 1:13 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Rom. 16:17 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, forbid that we should ever turn away from the truth of Your Word, and especially that we should forfeit the assurances of Your gracious love and the free gift of salvation that You have earned and obtained for us. Keep us also from cold, callous, prideful, and judgmental hypocrisy – whereby in rejecting others we are rejecting You. Help us to persevere in patient, kind, caring compassion and love for all of Your dear people, and grant us joy in what You have worked and are working within Your church. Amen.