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Speaker: Pastor Val Watkins
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:13, Romans 12:18
One Anothering
Bear With One Another
Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:13, Romans 12:18
To live above, with saints we love, that will be glory. To live below, with the saints we know, that’s quite a different story!
But doesn’t Tolkien’s story sound a lot like the challenges that we face as “the fellowship of God’s people” as we attempt to carry out our quest to do the Will and Works of God in this world?
It is not God’s will that we accept or tolerate the sins of our brothers and sisters in Christ–sins must be repented of not tolerated.
I think it would be helpful for us to have a mantra of “be gentle and patient.”
Forgiveness is one of those difficult and painful subjects that we wrestle with.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing.
Patience, forbearance, forgiveness and peace are not automatic–they involve deliberate acts of the will and a whole lot of effort.
Prayer makes a difference and brings change, but we might be surprised by what change it brings.