August 30, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 17

 

“Since God creates people whom He bids to preach, He will no doubt also create and send listeners who will take their teaching to heart.”

Martin Luther

 

 

 

It’s true that in life, we need each other, sellers and consumers, talkers and listeners, bosses and laborers, pastors and congregations. Without each other, we would have little purpose. God has intricately woven us together to serve each other in just the right fashion.

 

 

To make this magic work, He also guides us by His Word:

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

 

 

Ephesians 4:1-2 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

 

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

 

 

It’s often tempting to think we have forgotten these guidelines. Instead of building each other up, we often try to tear each other down. Instead of walking in humility and gentleness, we try to find our strength through anger and resentment. Instead of sharing words of encouragement, we shout words of condemnation.

 

 

But this is not how things were meant to be. As God’s children we have always been encouraged to walk in a manner worthy of our calling as sons and daughters of the Most High. We are to remember our Baptism and the mark that was placed on our souls as we became part of the Christian family. We are to treat each other with patience, respect and grace, just as God has treated us.

 

 

God created us because he is a God of relationship. In that relationship, He has given us certain freedoms to follow His calling or to reject it. Though He will never force us to love Him, His love for us is essential. Together, we can do great things if we walk with God in love and not away from Him.

 

 

Just as God has created each of us to be in relationship with each other, so has He created us to be in relationship with Him. Just as we need each other for love and support, so do we need a loving God to guide us to the places He has planned for us. Today, find someone to support and encourage. Play your part in the ministry God has given us toward each other.

 

 

Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us others to encourage us and guide us along life’s highway and thank you for inspiring them to do so. Give us insight as to how we might play our part in your Christian family. Amen.