5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,
6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Are you not getting along with your family, friends, colleagues, neighbour? Sometimes, we encounter people we don’t like or people we like but because of the surroundings influences, they left us. How about those with disabilities such as autism? Do you avoid these people because they talk and look differently?
I have lost a few friends including 1 autism friend. This autism friend likes me. We get along very well. She told me and others I am her best friend. When I heard that I was surprised and happy to hear that. 1st time hearing this from a friend and is an autism friend whom I just met only for a short time. Maybe is because I can relate with her quite well, able to speak to her. But when her family find out, we are getting along very well and I knew what’s her problems. They prevented my autism friend from contacting me. I was shocked, surprised and sad to see this happening. My God given gift is now causing others to avoid me both normal healthy people and 1 autism friend.
They should be happy I can get along with them very well. Some people avoid those with disabilities, those with seniority high ranking positions or those with lowly jobs or unemployed. I am not such person. I can make friends with them. Are you one of these people?
In today’s verse, we are told to have endurance, encouragement, unity. I can say I have all these traits but at some times, I can’t endure, I doubt and disagree with others. Over the years, I have greater endurance because of my trials. During my trials, I have my sad times but I can still encourage others. I tried my best to have unity with others as this is what as Christian Jesus follower needs to do but there are people who don’t want to be associate with me.
We need to accept one another, forgive one another just as Christ has forgiven us and accepted us.
Whether you are someone who don’t want to be associate with the disabled, unemployed, people with lowly jobs, someone who is protective of their identity wanting to only be associate with good well known people, people who are rich or famous, you should change and obey what God wants us to do. Get along well with others. Unite with others so you can glorify God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ.
Let’s pray.
Dearest Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word today to remind us of our wrong doings, we need to change and have unity with others. We should not be distance from others. We shouldn’t have any segregation. Forgive us O Lord. We have sins. You had said since you have accepted me, forgive my sins. I ought to also accept others and forgive them.
O Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. Please let those whom have distance away from me also have the same mercy and grace. They may be enlighten by your word. Able to truly understand your word and apply them. Not just hearing them and not applying them in their lives. Sanctify them and us all of us that we can truly obey your word and glorify you.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
