The news report was about the bridge that collapsed on I-35 in Minneapolis/St. Paul.  One of the featured shots was of a female police officer in the water, tethered to the shore with a rope, and she was going to the submerged vehicles which she could reach, opening the doors and feeling along the inside of the vehicles, to see if there was anyone to rescue!  She is someone who is a hero.

            As I thought about her sacrificial commitment I realized the news is always about how we treat one another.  Occasionally the news features stories about the kindness of one person to another, but in most news stories they are about people who have mistreated one another in a variety of ways.  I was reminded that our relationship to one another is always a reflection of our relationship to a loving Father in heaven.  John said it this way …

 1 John 4:20
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

           John realized the truth of our relationships.  We can only love our brothers and sisters in life as much as we love God!  Our words, our attitudes, and our activities are a reflection of what is going on in our spirit!

             Jesus continually brought His spotlight on our relationships with one another.  He commended the Roman centurion who had faith for healing for his servant.  And when James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy the Samaritans who rejected Jesus, Jesus said they didn’t understand the spirit that was in them.  Jesus marveled at the compassionate faith of the four men who opened a roof to and lowered a lame man into the room where He was so the man could be healed.  And when Peter thought it was commendable to forgive seven times, Jesus told the parable of the unjust servant who had been forgiven a million dollars but would not forgive a $20 debt.  There are numerous illustrations of how men and women who have a heart for God were involved in helping a brother or sister in this life.

           The Apostle John became known for his often repeated phrase, “Beloved, let us love one another.” 1 John 4:7 I think we need to learn how to do that, don’t you?  The first truth we need to learn is how to handle our offenses with each other.   A good example of Christians who are offended with one another is Paul, Barnabas and John Mark.

Acts 15:39
The contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

            Paul had become offended at John Mark because he left the evangelistic tour they were on when things became a little rough.  Paul apparently counted it as being disloyal to Christ and disloyal to himself, and didn’t want John Mark to accompany him on his next adventure of faith.  Barnabas, however, was a compassionate soul and wanted to give John Mark a second chance!  The result was contention and they separated from each other!

            Who was in the right?  There is truth for both sides of their argument, just like there is for most of our disagreements in life.  The only person who was always right was Jesus … not you and not me!  Contentions arise from disagreements, and sometimes someone has to be right, but not always.   Many times it doesn’t mean someone is right and someone is wrong, it means someone won’t give in.

            Marriages that last for a life time are not made up of people who are always right.  They are made up of two people who are quick to give in to the other partner.  Graciously, kindly, generously, they let the other person have their say!  Then they demonstrate love by never bringing up the subject again!

            Churches which complete the task which God has given to them are like a good marriage.  Everyone can make a commitment to love one another … even when you know the other person is right!  And if they aren’t forgive them anyway and forget it!

 The later writings of Paul indicate that there was reconciliation between him and John Mark and Barnabas, and there can be reconciliation between you and those who have offended you whether it is in your family or in the Body of Christ.  Remember, Jesus said that in the last days …

Matt 24:10
… many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

           That is because the love of God in many will grow cold! But it doesn’t have to be that way! we can keep our relationship with Jesus in good standing!  A commitment to love Him, and listen to Him, and to obey His Word will lead us away from being offended!  We need to make a commitment to not be offended!  You don’t always have to be right.  Listen to what the Bible says that we should do!

Mark 9:50 …have peace with one another

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another.

Rom 15:7 … receive one another, just as Christ also received us

Eph 4:2 ...with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bear with one another in love,

Eph 4:32 … be kind to one another … forgiving one another

1 Thess 4:18 … comfort one another

1 Thess 5:11 … edify one another

Heb 10:24 … consider one another

1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

1 John 1:7 … fellowship with one another

           We have a responsibility to love one another within our family and within the Body of Christ.  But what about the people who are not yet born again?  Does Jesus permit us to treat them in a less loving way?

Matt 5
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

           The reason we are commanded to love one another so fervently is that we are God’s demonstration to the world as to what life should be like!  Life is to be full of the love of God and we are to demonstrate the love of God to one another!

            One of the holiest relationships given to us by God is the relationship of marriage.  Our marriages are to be a safe place, a nurturing place, and an encouraging place … but it is also a place where children are born!  We have loving homes so children can be raised in an environment of love!  When our children grow up and are successful in life we are proud of them and the job we’ve done.   Isn’t that what the family of God is to be about?   

Cheryl and I attended Brother Joe Campbell’s 50^th birthday party at his church last week.  Brother Campbell’s church has ministered to our church for the last several years by having children’s camps and our children and youth have made commitment’s to Christ at those camps.  I praise God for Brother Joe and his ministry.

            While we visited with at Brother Joe’s church I was introduced to his pastor, the man who brought Joe’s family to Christ when he was a small child.  I was excited to find out it was someone who had attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri at the same time I was there.   One of my fellow class mates has blessed our church!   The circle of ministry continues on!

           I believe God has someone for each of us to minister to this year.  It may be only one person … but would you be willing to pray for that person when God lays them on your heart?  The one another’s reach beyond family and church, they reach the world!

Gal 5:13 … serve one another

Heb 3:13 … exhort one another daily

James 5:16 … pray for one another

1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another