TOLERANCE
Main text: Colossians 3:13 (KJV) – “For bearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ for gave you, so also do ye”.
Romans 14:1 – Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions
Beloved of God, the book of Psalms 133:1 says, “How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony”. Tolerance means the willingness to accept opinions of people who are not like you. In a real fellowship, not a superficial one, it is genuine, heart to heart sharing: People get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives; They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses and ask for help and prayer. It is only as we become open about our lives that we experience real fellowship.
The bible says if we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other. “If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves” (1 John 1:7-8). Tolerance brings mutuality. Mutuality is the heart of fellowship, which is building reciprocal relationship, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other. Apostle Paul in the bible tells us, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have, your faith will help me, and my faith will help you (Romans 1:12). All of us are more consistent in our faith when others work with us and encourage us. God expects you to do whatever you can to help them. The deepest fellowship is fellowship of tolerance and sufferings, where we enter into each other’s pain and grief and carry each other’s burdens. We all need mercy, because we all stumble and fall and require help to get back on track again.
EXCEL IN SHOWING RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER
Prayer Point: Lord Jesus help me to give my life for other believers and help their weakness in Jesus name Amen.
BY BISHOP NGOZI DURUEKE (HE REIGNS CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL) To send your testimony, write us: mylivingwaterdevotional@gmail.com.