Our Daily Bread: Unity in JesusShembull

Turning Together to God

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. -Colossians 3:13

Their walls went up quickly. Their emotional walls, that is. On one side, a professor who teaches racial harmony skills explained to his Christian audience how, with God, he can study grueling facts about cruel history without losing hope.

On the opposite side, however, a man raged at having to hear such information. “Why are you spreading such lies? My nation isn’t racist,” he said. Back and forth they went until a soft-spoken woman stood and simply asked, “Will you join me in prayer?”

Suddenly, the room quieted. “Might we turn together,” she added, “to God in prayer?”

Her calming plea can be heard in Paul’s instruction to rid ourselves of “anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language” (Colossians 3:8). Writing from prison to a church torn by competing views about Jesus, Paul implored battling factions to turn not against each other—but toward each other in unity.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

How? “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you” (vv. 12–13). As Jesus Himself said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart” (Matthew 12:25).

May we heed this wisdom today and listen with love as He leads us.

Patricia Raybon

How do you respond to other believers' views? What can you do when you disagree with them?

Dear God, soften my spirit to hear different views with Christ’s love.