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Thursday, July 2, 2009 other day's devotionals

Today's Devotional Reading
In Humility Consider Others

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others
(Philippians 2:3-4).

We live in an age of deliberate separation. We easily make decisions that affect others while only considering the way it effects us individually. We have little difficulty absolving ourselves of responsibility for our actions if at times those actions are most beneficial to our own personal desires.
In Romans 12, Paul tells us that we should "be devoted to one another in brotherly love." That we should, "Honor one another above yourselves." In verse 13 he encourages us to, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn," and to "live in harmony with one another."
If we pursue what is in our best interest, we cannot ignore the fact that what we do effects those around us. And while we might not always make popular decisions, we cannot turn away and simply say, "I have done no wrong," or "I have done all I can." While there are still those who have been hurt, or those who have been offended--there is also a need for healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. Letting bygones be bygones is not a viable solution if forgiveness does not accompany. Sweeping broken relationships and fractured fellowship under the rug does not repair a problem--it only causes the rug to be lumpy. And even once the fragments under the rug have been trampled by the footsteps of time, there will always be something of it remaining--regardless how visible it is to the eye.
Few of us handle confrontation well. It is a creature that frightens us and instills within us a desire to turn tail and run completely away. But confrontation is the doorway to forgiveness, and a doorway that must be walked through if true forgiveness, and peace, is ever to be found.
We have all made mistakes and we have all caused strife within our relationships, whether inadvertently or not. But we do not have to let circumstances lay, saying, "what's done is done," and seek to absolve ourselves of personal responsibility. Instead, we can go to our brother or sister and seek their forgiveness. For there comes a time when it does not matter who was wrong to begin with--as long as both harbor resentment there will be no peace.

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift (Mt.5:23-24).

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