We are United in Christ
by Teri Anderson
Today’s Treasure
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Romans 15:5-7
Yesterday, we reflected on the mercy and privilege of being called by God to Himself and to His family. United through Christ’s saving work, we are tangibly connected to a community of His people. Today, let’s focus on the unity that God provides when He called us to Himself.
Romans 15 speaks to specific ways we reflect God’s character as redeemed people united to Him and to each other. He is described as the “God of endurance and encouragement.” These qualities are also attributed to His people as evidence of our new nature. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.“ Enduring and encouraging are given here as imperatives. We are to welcome one another, to point each other to God, and to glorify God with one voice. Of course, times or places may exist when meeting together is not possible (illness, quarantine, persecution, etc), but those are exceptions. What might be lost when we don’t live out the truth of being able to live “in harmony with one another?”
LIFE GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
During our recent quarantine, working from home has meant running a Zoom weekly training meeting, attending a weekly business networking meeting, and even teaching women skincare tips through a tiny screen. Our family has attended virtual Sunday School, Facebook Live worship services, and a virtual Bible study. In the midst of being home, I tripped, breaking an arm. I couldn’t bend that arm to “fix” the entire back of my hair for all these virtual gatherings! But no one could see the mess hidden from the webcam; my outward persona was intact! What a picture of what happens when we isolate intentionally! When we can’t be together, life’s messiness can be hidden away, and not just our outward appearance! In fact, an entire week after x-rays, I realized (and repented) that I had not even communicated about the fracture to my church family, the people to whom God has united me! That meant not giving anyone but a worn out husband the opportunity to be stirred to love and good works for me, to encourage me to endure. What else comes to your mind that might be beneficial for building genuine gospel relationships that cannot happen with social distancing?
Relationships in God’s family are to be edifying, characterized by grace, pointing each other to Jesus when we fall short. These Gospel friendships are to be safe places where we accept one another and pursue unity rather than uniformity. Romans 15:5-7 reinforces the reality that when we are united with Christ Jesus and living in harmony within His church, God is glorified.
PRAYER
Meeting together in cyberspace for a short season has certainly been an alternative solution to gathering face to face, but what other blessings are added when we reconnect in person? Pray through Romans 15:5-7 and Philippians 2:1-4, applying these truths to the gospel relationships where God has placed you, praying that you may be one voice glorifying God.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
Teri Anderson - Teri and her husband, Mark, are members of Spring Meadows PCA in Las Vegas, NV. They have two adult “kids,” a son-in-law, & enjoy their 4 year old granddaughter as often as possible! Teri taught high school English, Computer Technology, and Gifted Education before beginning her motherhood role & a resulting home-based Mary Kay Cosmetics business, becoming a “mompreneur“ before it was trendy! Currently, as an Independent Sales Director, she provides training and mentoring for women of all ages across the USA. In the volunteer world, she served several terms as a Women’s Advisor to the Board of Covenant College, and as an Alpha Omicron Pi VP and International Board member. Locally, Teri has served on the Women’s Ministry Team and taught Sunday School and Bible Study. She has served as a PCA Women’s Ministry Trainer and retreat speaker since 2001.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.