Harmony

DEVOTION

ROMANS

HARMONY

Rom 12:14-16

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 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

The life of a believer has to be different than what comes naturally to the human spirit. When someone mistreats us, we bless them. When someone hurts our feelings, we bless them. It would seem that we really do not experience persecution like Paul did on several occasions in his travels. He was beaten, sort of tarred and feathered type treatment, run out of town on a rail. But we might well be mistreated or made fun of for believing. Faith in God is not accepted in some places. Our beliefs are shunned, and some have spoken out against our faith, saying we hate all they want to do such as woman’s rights, gay rights, black lives matter, and a host of other offenses against God. Some disrespect the flag, and disrespect God, so we bless them, we do not curse them. Then there is this rejoicing with others who rejoice. When someone experiences a blessing from God, a healing, a provision, a windfall profit, or some other blessing from God and they rejoice, we should rejoice with them. This requires absolutely no envy or jealousy which might be the human nature that resides within. Then mourning with those who mourn covers the same ground. This is having empathy rather than compassion. The whole idea is not to be self-centered but to put others first, before self. To be invested in each other’s life. To see people as Jesus would. This rejoicing and mourning, being invested in each other is in fact living in harmony with one another. The Greek word"another" is slightly different then live in harmony. The Greek says, as the same one another mind, with the word “mind” meaning to have a sentiment, opinion, to be disposed, to interest oneself in. When all that is put in context with same, it does mean harmony. To live in harmony, to have the same opinions or disposition, or sentiment about Christ and his church. This would speak against division, disharmony, which all too often we hear about congregations splitting over all sorts of crazy reasons. Many of those splits are led by one person, in many cases a leader in the church. How bizarre is that? The very ones who should promote harmony cause disharmony. Could it be about pride or greed, thinking more of oneself than one should? Only God knows and we can be sure he does not approve. We have to make sure we do not think more highly of ourselves for any reason. We cannot shun people because they are not exactly like we are, not having the same education, social status, or the same financial position. There is no reason to have conceit about anything we do or have. Any of that would lead to disharmony as well. So let us live and let live, just loving each other for who they are. Let us live in harmony.