We are encouraged to learn good social skills and how to bond with others. There is one skill God desires we cultivate: bonding with Him in a union of His love. Such a bond is perfect in that it ensures we move in His rhythm, in harmony with Him. And if we can be in true harmony with God, we can move in greater harmony with others.
RELEVANCE
Being in harmony with God guarantees that we live in peace with God; and that leads to coming into peace with others. It’s how God created things to be. Jesus showed the way to real peace. The apostle Paul challenged us to follow the path to realizing His peace.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:12-17).
Paul certainly spoke a mouthful! Actually, he amplified the simple message that the prophet Micah had given many years prior:
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
Just three simple things! But they mean a lot.
Doing justly is challenging in a competitive world where people seek to gain an advantage, even if it means doing nearly anything to accomplish the goal. Loving mercy is likewise difficult when people are hard to deal with. And certainly walking humbly is challenging when we have self-serving interests and walk in pride.
It all points to walking in integrity. And that is possible if we walk upholding the essence of God’s universal law: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. I love simplicity. Paul seemed to know, however, that we are more complicated than that. God help us.
REFLECT AND RELATE
How do you think coming into greater alignment with Jesus’ character can help you get along with others and create win-win relationships? Read Jesus’ prayer in John 17 slowly. He prays for us there; and His prayer gives us some real clues.
REFERENCES
John 17:1-26