Why is it that everything we do has to bring us to a place of division with others. We focus so much on our differences that we can never come together and stand together. Agreement, respect and unity are lost arts. We allow everything from nationality to politics to religious denomination to divide us. This is surely not what God intended when he created us to walk on this earth shoulder to shoulder. This division is the act of an enemy that seeks to divide and conquer. If we do not have brothers and sisters to stand beside us and help us in times of need, to celebrate with us in a time of joy, then we have nothing. We live and die alone, bewildered and ultimately divided.

As followers of Christ, are we not simply all human beings that believe in God our Father? People who are eternally grateful for Jesus, our savior and soon coming King who came to earth and died for us, suffered in hell and rose to be with God the Father? Are we not the same people who were sent the Holy Spirit by Jesus in His absence to help us, guide us and comfort us? Can we simply agree on that?

It really grieves me to see so much division over some of the most foolish things that in respect of eternity mean absolutely nothing! Should we not be doing everything we can to stand beside each other? Lifting others up when we need a hand? So why are we kicking others when they are down?

I am issuing a challenge to you today. Read these scriptures and live them if you think you are brave enough!

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Are the verses above a direct reflection of who we are and how we act daily?

Patient – Kind – Not envious – Not bragging or boastful – Not Proud or Puffed up (a blowhard, inflated and haughty).. Continue looking at these qualities and ask, Is that me? Honestly answer Yes or No. There are times that I cannot give the right answer in all honesty. But that is an indicator to me of where I need to do some work.

I can tell you that I need to check myself regularly. I want to get angry and say something not beneficial. I want to stand up for my opinion even though it could hurt others. I must guard my heart above all things. If I let anger and bitterness get in, I cannot treat my brothers and sisters that way I should. It is my goal to continually walk in these characteristics of love. It is important to realize that the love that is being spoken of here is not the squishy and mushy love of a romantic comedy. It is a choice I make every day to love those that are un-lovable. To treat those who have wronged me with the honor and respect that Jesus treated others with.  If you think that this is weak or effeminate, I dare you to try to treat others this way. It will test every ounce of your being and patience.  Courage Required!!

Let’s not live divided. Let’s choose to act as Jesus did. Let’s choose to emulate Jesus in everything we do and say. This is Christ-like manhood! This is a good place to start..

As always feel free to comment, share or reach out. It is my prayer that you find this helpful in some small way.

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