Philippians - Living in the WordSample

Key Verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Reflection:

We live in a world of divisions. Differing ideas about how to achieve a good life separate us from each other and set us in active opposition to those who think differently. The world and our culture encourage these divisions and continually attempt to drive the wedge between us deeper and deeper, so that our hatred for our neighbors grows larger and larger.

But Jesus calls us to do something radically different, something countercultural: to love our neighbors despite our differences. Remember that Paul is talking to a church that is under extreme persecution from other members of their community for what they believe about Jesus. He is reminding them to show love in the face of hatred and to seek unity instead of division.

Response:

Take a moment to reflect on the difficult relationships in your life. Is the way that you treat those people encouraging unity or division?

In prayer, surrender these relationships to the Lord and ask Him for guidance on how to love those people better.