Having trouble with a fellow believer?

No… surely not!

The thing is, it’s pretty common.

But the truth is, we are called to serve others and respect them. Always.

When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy, Christians owned other Christians (can you imagine?)

Yet Paul encouraged them, that if they were a slave to a fellow believer, to not despise them because they are brethren, but serve them”. (I Tim 6:2)

This was difficult then, and it is hard today, to peacefully submit in our human relationships- especially when those relationships are with other believers who may not be treating us as we expect.

We often think we deserve special favors or treatment from fellow Christians, and when the believer in authority over us doesn’t act the way we think they should act, we are quick to talk negatively about them.

Yet, when we do this, God tells us we blaspheme His name and doctrine. (I Tim 6:1)

We “blaspheme His Name” because others, especially nonbelievers, are always watching us. And if we can’t even get along with each other, why would they be drawn to Christianity?

God tells us in Colossians 3:22-24, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Oh friends, living with others is hard- including other believers. (Can I get an “amen”?!)😉

But let’s be careful to conduct ourselves as God would have us — respecting those in authority over us, submitting when we are called to do so, living peaceably with everyone, and doing this so the name of the Lord will not be blasphemed.

Let’s do this for our good and His glory!

In the words of our Savior, “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”(John 13:34-35)

By THIS they will know we are His!!

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