“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus”
Romans 15:5 ESV
Series: Perfected in Unity
As a tornado ripped across her family farm in Kansas, Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz, spun into an unfamiliar city filled with chaos, danger, and flying monkeys. After some scary experiences and meeting a few new friends, she made it to the Emerald City where she found the secret of getting back to her home. She clicked her ruby slippers together three times and repeated, “There’s no place like home.” Just like Dorothy, we have all had that moment when we are just grateful to be in our own home, sleeping in our own bed, and being surrounded by our people.
Our homes are a haven for us to enjoy and rest from the outside pressures and commotion. But even in the comfort of our own walls, sometimes there can be discord, harshness, or even hostility. Don’t we all long for a peaceful place to reside? I believe the Lord intends for families to be a source of strength, love, and encouragement for one another. Ever notice when harmony is disrupted between any members, it is disrupted for everyone in your family? Realizing that differing opinions, disagreements, or unkind words do occur, we must equip ourselves so that, from our mouth, good things may flow. God gives us beautiful instruction so that our bonds of unity at home remain strong. Let’s look at 1 Peter 3:8-11 (NLT):
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will grant you His blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
As believers, God calls us to choose peace, not discord. We are to bless others and not pay them back with insults. He desires us to hold to what He says is good and right regardless of how someone else in the home may be acting. Hearing this may go against what you have heard in culture or have practiced thus far. In a world where revenge, pay-backs, and vengeance run rampant, we need Jesus’ teaching more than ever. Paul writes in Colossians 3:12-15 how our relationships as Christ followers should look:
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Jesus has all these qualities and demonstrated them even as He was taken to be crucified. He showed a compassion and humility that remains unmatched in today’s society. But, He doesn’t ask us to be perfect people, just men and women who will allow Him to perfect us in unity. Isn’t that beautiful? Look to the life of Christ—He calls all who believe, members of His family. This is how we know we are united with Him. By practicing kindness, humility, patience, and forgiveness within our homes, we allow our family members to feel loved, cherished, and protected.
Our homes may never be without a little tension here and there, but if we pursue a life reflecting the model Jesus laid out for us, we will experience more joy, peace, and harmony behind our closed doors than ever before. James writes in 1:19-20 (NLT):
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Until we enter our eternal home with Jesus, may we experience a true feeling of “Home Sweet Home” here on earth.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Romans 15:5; 1 Peter 3:8; Colossians 3:12-15; James 1:19-20