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UNITY AND TOGETHERNESS

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The scriptural guide to a peaceful coexistence
"I say to all of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and each one of you judge him according to the amount of faith that God has given him. (Verse 3)

"Love one another warmly as brothers in Christ and be eager to show respect to one another. (Verse 10) 

"Show the same spirit towards all alike. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourself as wise. If someone does evil to you, do not pay him back with evil. Try to do what all men consider to be good and honest. (Verse 16-17).

"Do everything possible on your path to live at peace with all men. Never take revenge my friends, instead let God's wrath do it. For the scripture says, 'I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord.'" (Romans 12:3, 10, 16 - 19)

This is God's Way; It May Not be Popular
   The recommendations promoted in this article may not sound popular or seem regular. It is the Kingdom way. It is God's way. He does not impose it on us, but offers them as a manufacturer would give users guide to ensure proper use of a product. We are God's products.

Here we're seeing God's recommendations on how we can live peacefully as a family, community and nation.

 Regard Others as Better Than You
   The Lord who created us knows that there is high tendency for man to be overshadowed by himself, thus He (God) shared this principle. The Bible says 'God resist the proud and gives grace to the humble.' 

You surely do not want to be resisted by God. That is dangerous. You can avoid this by being humble, regarding others as better than you are. Yes! It is honour. It is a noble attitude before God.

It is pleasant to live peacefully with one another. In our text above, we are told in verse 3 that we should regard others highly. This is God's principle for peace.

 Love and Respect One Another
   Make the conscious effort to love and respect others. The same way you feel bad when disregarded and/or disrespected, so do others feel when you disregard them. I know you may say 'It's a payback!' That is why the Apostle Paul added in Verse 19 'Never revenge'.

Forgiveness is an act of love. It is noble, it is divine. It pleases God when we forgive one another. You receive peace when you let go of offences.

Condescend to Men of Low Estate
   The KJV translate verse 16 thus, 'Be of the same mond one to another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate'. This does not mean you should ignore or compromise your standards. No. It means when occasion demands, humble yourself.

For example, Jesus, although He was (and is) God, He sat down with the poor and destitute without feeling ashamed, neither did He scorn at them.

At a point, a little child held out her arms and he reached to carry her. His disciples tried to stop the child.  But Jesus rebuked the disciples and requested that children be brought to him. Similarly, when you find yourself among people you feel you are higher than, financially and otherwise, do not be puffed up. Be humble. Verse 16 says 'Show the same spirit towards all alike' in the.'

Do Not Revenge, Forgive
   A certain theory holds that one's reaction to an issue constitute 80% of the outcome of that case. Reaction matters a lot. Reciprocate love with love. Ironically, reciprocate hate and offences with love too. This sounds illogical, but it's best! This is the Kingdom way. Do not take revenge.

Scripture says that the Lord is the Judge of all. Trust that He knows the whole case better than you do. Leave it in His hands. He is a faithful Judge. He will give reward. Your own duty is to love. Yes, you may look foolish doing it the Kingdom way, but it will pay soonest or later. I pray the Lord help us all, in Jesus name. Amen.

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