Bear with one another in love. What causes quarrels and misunderstandings among us? Does not the enemy thrive on misunderstandings, twisting words and motives to make even a heartfelt and sincere act offensive to another. Misunderstandings at any level and in any arena can have devastating consequences. What keeps us from mending the breech, often pride and not knowing how often the enemy uses this tactic to separate and disrupt unity.
If another offends, we are to go to him and dispel the darkness surrounding the misunderstanding. How many hearts have been wounded and crushed due to misunderstanding. Gently and humbly bear with one another. When one is responsible for governing and leading, this principle of dispelling misunderstandings is of utmost importance.
How much more do those under authority give and excel when they are not led with legalistic restrictions and duties, but as Christ exemplified leadership – in grace. Restoring those who were weak and leading even the lambs that have young who must slow down their pace for a season.
Avoid measuring man by his/her performance against rigid standards, but let us honor our brother or sister for their heart of integrity and willingness to serve. To make others great a shepherd/leader will lead, guide, and nourish the flock rather than whip them into submission.
Be careful in all roles not to crush another’s spirit, for we do not know the calling and purpose this beloved soul has from the Father. Bear them up in all gentleness for in doing so are we not leading and walking according to kingdom principles. How refreshing such a response can be to a weary soul. The Father says, “As you do unto them, you do unto Me.” Seek Him to gain understanding and compassion for all men’s hearts.
As we move into seeing greater works of God in our age, even in the traditionally secular arenas we will experience how rewarding and effective putting kingdom principles into practice can be. We will shine a light in a dark world and bring many to the knowledge of Christ.
- “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2
- “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
- “See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:10-11
- “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:1-12