For a Greater Purpose
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” - Matthew 5:44
When the disciples met in the Upper Room, they met with over 100 others. The list included; Mary Magdalene, Mary (Jesus’ mother), Joanna, along with others, coming from all different backgrounds and different interactions with Jesus. As mentioned yesterday, Luke identifies these individuals and intentionally provides these details to give context to the idea that all of these individuals came together in prayer. It was a huge deal that they all even found themselves together in the same room, let alone for a common purpose. This happened, though, because they understood the greater purpose.
Don’t let your differences, and your disagreements keep you from experiencing what God has for you. You can do it like the early church did it. They overcame their history and complicated past by coming together, opening their hearts to one another, sharing their feelings, grieving over their loss, and conveying their hopes for the future. They did all that because they understood that restoring broken relationships and reconciling severed bonds was key to receiving the power of God.
These were a diverse group of individuals. They had all different types of conflicts, came from different backgrounds, and had differences. Yet no one was excluded because of what they had done or should have done. There was not different standards of inclusion based upon morals, class, gender, or politics. The Holy Spirit included everyone because everyone mattered in the eyesight of God. And so, if they mattered to God, if God was able to look beyond their faults, their failures, and their differences, then they needed to be able to do the same to one another.
God wants all of us to have a seat at His table. Do not let the differences you have with others, keep you from experiencing the power of God. There is a greater purpose than any individual difference you might have. But disobedience and failure to forgive and make things right can hinder God’s work in you and through you. Do not let this be the case for you! Make things right so God can continue to do great work in and through you!
When the disciples met in the Upper Room, they met with over 100 others. The list included; Mary Magdalene, Mary (Jesus’ mother), Joanna, along with others, coming from all different backgrounds and different interactions with Jesus. As mentioned yesterday, Luke identifies these individuals and intentionally provides these details to give context to the idea that all of these individuals came together in prayer. It was a huge deal that they all even found themselves together in the same room, let alone for a common purpose. This happened, though, because they understood the greater purpose.
Don’t let your differences, and your disagreements keep you from experiencing what God has for you. You can do it like the early church did it. They overcame their history and complicated past by coming together, opening their hearts to one another, sharing their feelings, grieving over their loss, and conveying their hopes for the future. They did all that because they understood that restoring broken relationships and reconciling severed bonds was key to receiving the power of God.
These were a diverse group of individuals. They had all different types of conflicts, came from different backgrounds, and had differences. Yet no one was excluded because of what they had done or should have done. There was not different standards of inclusion based upon morals, class, gender, or politics. The Holy Spirit included everyone because everyone mattered in the eyesight of God. And so, if they mattered to God, if God was able to look beyond their faults, their failures, and their differences, then they needed to be able to do the same to one another.
God wants all of us to have a seat at His table. Do not let the differences you have with others, keep you from experiencing the power of God. There is a greater purpose than any individual difference you might have. But disobedience and failure to forgive and make things right can hinder God’s work in you and through you. Do not let this be the case for you! Make things right so God can continue to do great work in and through you!
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