Sunday's One
Another Commands

Bear with one another

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
~ Apostle Paul

Pondering Point

Fellow Christians: Our one another reminder this week is to bear with each other, a command that we are to “bear” at all times. That means bearing with one another even when we get offended (not until we get offended).

When we quit bearing with one another, we lose the unity of the Spirit and the power of prayer that comes with “two or three” praying in His name. In short, one’s unwillingness to bear with others will fracture (if not kill) that relationship – and many others connected to it.

Now I imagine that some will claim, “the offense already fractured or killed the relationship.” To that claim I point us back to our Savior Jesus who bore the relationship-killing offense of sin in order to restore – yes, restore – our broken relationship with God – and each other (see Ephesians 2:14-18). Thank You Lord Jesus! Now – forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ephesians 2:14-18

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Prayer for the Day

Lord Jesus, help us not let offenses get in the way of relationships but rather use the opportunity to put our faith into action, to practice what we preach, and to follow in Your footsteps by bearing with each other and forgiving those who sin against us.* Amen.