GETTING ALONG

Reading from Bible :

1 THEREFORE  if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of  love, if any relationship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own  interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. 6 Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those in earth, and of those under the earth, 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --- Philippians 2: 1-11

Summary :

 I love being with people…most of the time. There is a special joy that resonates in our hearts when we are with people we enjoy. But unfortunately we are not always with those we like to be around. Sometimes people can be prickly, which may be why someone has said, “The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog!” When we don’t find joy in a relationship, we tend to blame the other person; then we excuse ourselves as we exit to be with people we like.

   The apostle  Paul  asks  us to lovingly engage with brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, he call all of us to be “of one accord,” to look out “for the interests of other,” and to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2: 2-5). Think about it. Jesus gave up his own prerogatives and privileges for us; He chose to live as a servant and paid the ultimate sacrifice that He might bring us into  joy-filled relationship with Him (see Heb. 12:2 ). And He did all that in spite of our prickliness (see Rom. 5:8).

     So next time you are with someone who is not easy to get along with, ask Jesus to help you find a way to extend His love. In time, you might be surprised by how God can change your attitude about people. ---Joe Stowell

             Lord, thank you that while I was still offensive to

         you, you saved me with your sacrificial love. Give me

        the same courage and grace to extend to others the

         love that you have so graciously extended to me

                                                                                           

     

The key to getting along with others is  having the mind of Christ