Love with God’s Help
Opening Prayer
God, open my heart to be patterned after Yours. I want for Your attitude to become my own.
Read Romans 15:1–6
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
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Reflect
How have you gotten on since Friday’s reading? Has it been easy changing your thoughts and your actions towards others?The first two verses of today’s reading reiterate what we learned at the end of last week: we are to bear with others (1), loving them with our minds; and we are to please them and build them up (2), loving them with our actions. Then in verses five and six we get the how and the why.
How do we do this? By the gifts God gives us: endurance, encouragement and the same attitude of mind as Christ himself. What incredible gifts—particularly that last one! We don’t have to try hard to love our neighbors, for God himself gives us the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). Why? So we can glorify him. Because of course, it isn’t about us at all. Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God, and divisions, quarrelling and pride neither serve that goal nor bring us satisfaction. What a wonderful truth that when we glorify him it also benefits us!
Apply
How can you cultivate a deeper love for and unity with your brothers and sisters as you follow Christ together?
Closing prayer
Father, thank You for giving me the mind of Christ to guide me as I seek to love others and glorify You.
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