Nougat 9

Hello

Please receive today’s Holy Nougat which challenges each of us to live transparent lives for the glory of God.

“Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What a difference it would make if we were to live the Acts 2:42-46 life! So much so that we each began to operate with all the blessings and gifts God has in store for the church. To the extent that other lives are transformed by the impact of the love we shared. That reality is possible. It requires that we choose to be our siblings’ keeper.

We recall that the breakdown between the first brothers Cain and Abel’s relationship resulted from bitterness. That bitterness spread to the point where murder was committed. Most of us would argue that we cannot commit murder just so, yet we have probably been guilty of, or party to character assassination. This is compounded when it’s believers who have the personality differences.

For one, it has the potential to destroy the balance of koinonia in the fellowship (when division/divisiveness affects the unity and God’s Spirit is repelled). For those looking from outside, our failure to live in unity and at peace is often used as proof that the Christian Faith is not worth emulating. With our mandate including an evangelical component – others being drawn to Christ by our lifestyles and our spoken words – how we live, one with the other, makes a difference. That’s what the corruption reference is about.

So we look first in the mirror, lest we have roots of bitterness lurking around (it’s always easier to find fault in another). We repent of any action that encourages any sense of bitterness between us and others as well as any action that might be misunderstood. Where we are convicted or nudged, we repent and seek God’s grace to overcome.

Additionally we seek every opportunity to share God’s love with others tangibly. It might be by caring for each other in a world still coping with the relational setback of Covid-19; or showing/sharing God’s love outside the fellowship with a hurting and broken world.

It may even be acts/an act of compassion towards others. Whatever it is; we remain focused on God’s desire for us. Let’s opt to live one act of God’s love and build on it every day.

—

May all we seek be found in Christ