Harmony

DEVOTION
ROMANS
HARMONY
Rom 12:16
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
NIV
Now here is a feat of magnitude proportions. With all the diverse individuals I come in contact with, including those irregular people who simply rub me the wrong way, not to mention those who simply think differently than I do, I find this verse somewhat troubling. How do I deal with those who fundamentally believe something other than the truth of the Gospel? How do I live in harmony with those who challenge my faith or belief in the one true God? How do I deal with those individuals who have a completely different ideology than mine? Can I simply agree to disagree and leave it at that? In terms of the Gospel, am I compelled to speak truthfully even through that might cause strife rather than harmony? Is sticking to the truth which I believe being proud? Is it thinking more of myself than I should? I dare not believe I am not willing to associate with people who have a low position. What is a low position? Is this living in harmony having little to do with my first questions and more to do with my latter? Is it more a concept of mutual respect for each and every other person I come in contact with? Are not all of us sinner? Are not all of us in need of a Savior? Are not all of us without hope of eternal life unless we accept the provision God made for our salvation? I think all mankind shares those common things and thus how could I not be in harmony with them. Yet, harmony does imply to live in agreement with others. Can I agree with every other person? Is this verse strictly speaking to believers? And I merely have to only agree or live in harmony with those who believe the same way I do? Lots of questions and I am afraid I have little answers. I do know I do not think I am better than someone else. True there are people who appear to be of low position. People who serve in positions I would not like to do, yet I did those kinds of jobs too. I vacuumed swimming pools for the wealthy; I was the person of low position in that sense. Those who are homeless, or down and out, or on welfare, do I look down on them? I can I? But do I live in agreement with them? What does that mean? I do come back to mutual respect. I think that is it, we all need to respect each other, no matter of beliefs or position because we all are the human race, created by God for God. No one is better than the other and we all need each other. This fulfills living in harmony, not being proud and associating or identifying with all.