Boys Life Application Study Bible Gospel of John Sampler - Flipbook - Page 94
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CHRIS // 17
A while ago, my dad started going to a church of a different denomination. The new church was Christian—they just did things a little differently
than I was used to. I decided to keep going with my mom to the church
our family has always attended.
I know my mom took it hard when my dad joined another church. I was
worried that we couldn’t be a family if we didn’t all have the same beliefs.
When I turned to my pastor for help, he told me to look at what Paul says
about Christian differences in Romans 14. So I flipped open my Bible and
found exactly what I needed: “So why do you condemn another believer?
Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand
before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10). For Paul, it was okay
that Christians had personal convictions about certain things—as long as
they followed Christ’s teachings. Paul reminded people to be loving and to
be tolerant of the differences.
Sure, it would be easier if we all believed exactly alike. But Christians (and
people in general) aren’t all the same. In fact, I’ve learned that our differentness actually makes the body of Christ more interesting. I don’t agree
with my dad on everything, but when we talk, I sure learn a lot about
what I do believe.
Whenever I start getting down about the things that divide my family, I
try to remember that we all love Jesus. I know it would be another story if
Dad wasn’t a Christian at all—if he had decided to follow another religion
entirely. It helps me to know that my family will always be bound together
by Jesus because we all love him. And that’s what matters most.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus told his disciples to love each other. Real love isn’t
warm fuzzies—it’s an attitude that reveals itself in action. Real love is a choice.
How can we love others as Christ loves us? By helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others’ welfare rather
than our own—all without complaining or seeking recognition for what we do
(see 1 Corinthians 13). Although showing love in this way isn’t always easy,
the impact is always noticeable. Is this the kind of love you show?
FOR
MORE
ON
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• God as the foundation of family, see Psalm 127:1.
• Love and criticism, see Galatians 5:14-15.
2/28/2018 2:45:41 PM
