Brothers and Sisters
Week Forty-Three
October 19, 2025
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
— Romans 15:7 (c.f. Romans 15:1-7)
The Lord called me over forty years ago in the basement of a house in Concord, New Hampshire. It was 1982 when I received Jesus and was baptized. I was eighteen years old. Since then, I’ve attended several churches with a wide variety of approaches to worship: Pentecostal, Non-denominational, Charismatic, Assembly of God, Presbyterian. Before that, I was raised Roman Catholic. Each experience, so different. Being completely honest, the vast differences between the expressions of Christ’s church form a chasm in my mind that asks (forgive my foolishness), how can we be so different and yet be members of the same family?
But then I think about my children. Each child, so different. In their politics, in their church affiliations, in the way they raise their children, in their physical and intellectual bents — so very different. Yet, each one is still my child. And the Lord knows those who are his. So, how do we reconcile such differences between churches? How do we properly discern the body of Christ? I’ve heard it said, we must find the right hills to die on. But which hills are the right hills? We might start to answer that question with another question: Which hills was Jesus our Lord, the perfect model of perfect unity, willing to die on? For what was he willing to lay down his life?
Let’s start with Calvary, salvation’s hill. Christ was willing to suffer excruciating pain, raw shame, and death for sinners and their sin. We must guard this Gospel of grace apart from works and stand against sin’s insidiousness with the same steadfastness with which Christ ascended Golgotha. I’m reminded of Paul’s curse against anyone who tries to preach a “different” gospel. ¹
Christ was also willing to die for his identity. ² Any teaching, persuasion, or doctrine that in any way tries to erode the divinity of Jesus Christ is a teaching we must take a fierce stand against. He is God the Son, worthy of worship, Lord of all. He is God.
Out of his perfectly loving heart for people, Jesus was willing to die in coming to the defense of the helpless. His confrontation of the oppressive religious system and willingness to face life-threats as he healed others show how important the oppressed and burdened are to him. ³
But standing together on these “hills” doesn’t obviate our need to hear Paul’s instruction given in Romans 15:7. Even as believers fighting for a common faith, there are enough differences, idiosyncrasies, and opinions (along with our fleshly propensity to rivalries and dissensions), to warrant Paul’s exhortation. We are prone to gravitate towards those who are like us; but our relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ is not based on common interests, social similarities, or denominational tags. We are brothers and sisters by blood — Christ’s blood.
Let me end this introduction with a simple question for you to ponder as you read this week’s devotional, “In what ways does Christ show his acceptance of us?” The answer to that question is a first step to deeper Christian unity.
Monday
October 20, 2025
For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter,” or “I follow only Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:11,12 (NLT)
The spiritual among us may think that the response, “I follow Christ” shows supremacy of thought; I mean, who better to follow than Christ himself? But Christ is not divided, and church cliques and elitism are out of character with his name. Division and church quarrels are nothing new and Paul gives us the key to addressing such a problem in the body. Do you see it? Paul calls God’s quarreling children, “my dear brothers and sisters”. If you were to ask any parent what rates highest among parental vexations you’d probably hear, “When my kids are fighting!” And so, Paul helps us by leveling the playing field: we are all dear and we are all brothers and sisters. Same family, same Father, same Savior, same Spirit. Quarrelling should have no place among us.
How does knowing that we are all brothers and sisters make you feel towards other believers in your church? Why do you think church members quarrel? Why do children quarrel?
Would you say that the members of Chloe’s household mentioned here were gossiping? Why or why not? When is it proper to address or report such issues in the church?
Tuesday
October 21, 2025
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
— James 1:19 (NLT)
I wish my iPhone could save this scripture as a reminder that went off every time I was about to enter a conversation with someone. “LISTEN FIRST, LISTEN QUICKLY!” Willing listeners break down high walls. Everyone wants to be heard, to be understood, and no one likes to be talked over or yelled at. How many arguments could be avoided with a quick ear and a careful tongue? I think many. One word James uses in today’s scripture especially stands out to me; it is the word, all. Guess who’s a part of “all”? Yes, you are. And so am I. All of us should be quick to hear, slow with answers, and very slow to anger. And if you find an app to remind me to do this whenever I interact with people, please let me know.
In the list of the three things James instructs us to do, which do you usually fall short in? How do you think one becomes, “quick to listen”?
Why do you think James begins this scripture with “my dear brothers and sisters”? How can we prepare ourselves to carry this attitude into our next conversation?
Wednesday
October 22, 2025
Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen.
— 2 Timothy 2:14 (NET)
There is danger in contention. You can find comfort in knowing that it is not your responsibility to ensure that everyone holds to the same viewpoints you hold to. (You can say, “Phew” now if you’d like). Our judgements are not required on disputable matters, but a word of encouragement is always welcomed. Our goal is to speak for the edification of others, not to prove our point or elevate our opinion. Constant quarreling and long disputes are bad medicine to any listener, but the truth spoken in love is a hearty remedy indeed.
How would you describe the difference between words of truth and matters of opinion? What do you think is the end effect of an environment filled with contention?
Do you find it difficult to hold back your opinion? When is it appropriate to share your opinions?
Thursday
October 23, 2025
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
— 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
Cloth tears. That’s what it does. Under stress and over time the fibers wear and separate. Years ago, torn clothes were mended. Today, clothing is sold torn. Things change when it comes to style, but the need for unity is always appropriate; just as it was in the church at Corinth. The Greek word Paul uses for being united here is καταρτίζω (kat-ar-tid'-zo) and it is the same word used in Matthew 4:21 for mending (as in, mending their nets). This mending, or restoration, like the patching of clothes, requires a cutting at times ⁴ — loving instruction in the truth, just like Paul is giving us here. We cut with truth and mend in love. This type of unity in agreement is in many ways a miracle. God grants it, so let us seek it from his gracious hand.
Do you think it is possible for the members of a church to be of the same mind and thinking? What would that look like?
What might division in a church look like? What are the effects of division on a church body?
Friday
October 24, 2025
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
— Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
I’m not sure about you, but the word completely strikes me as being rather uncompromising — little leeway and no license. We aren’t being told here to be humble and gentle most of the time, or if we’re not too tired to put forth the effort. God’s standard for us in relationship to one another is not half-hearted in any way; it’s full-tilt, all-in, go-for-the-gusto humility and gentleness. Again, I’m not sure about you, but such exposure to my heart makes me uneasy. No, I’ll say, it terrifies me. There is no real relationship where caution thrives. True intimacy comes as we are willing to patiently endure hurt while turning the other cheek and reaching out in love. Such an attitude says one thing: “it’s not about me.” Such a life is only possible by humbly receiving the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
Does the thought of being completely humble frighten you? What does complete humility and gentleness look like to you?
Is there anyone in your life you have built walls up against? What caused those walls to go up and what can be done to bring them down?