Five Ways of Being the People of God
Be Accepting ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
(Romans 15:7)
The word acceptance means “taking to oneself.” It is an invitation. Acceptance is the state of receiving someone into relationship. To be accepted is to have all your parts, good and bad, received by another without condemnation. (Henry Cloud and John Townsend)
· Acceptance believes the best about others
· Acceptance is not based upon position or place in life
· Acceptance gives grace
· Acceptance does not mean agreement
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8-9 MSG)
Be Hospitable---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling . . . (1 Peter 4:9)
Hospitality means receiving the other, from the heart, into my own dwelling space. It entails providing for the need, comfort, and delight of the other with all openness, respect, freedom, tenderness, and joy that love itself embodies. (Marjorie Thompson)
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13 MSG)
How can you be inventive in hospitality today?
Be Encouraging------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11-12)
The essence of encouragement is giving courage to another person. Life is difficult, the journey is risky and at times we all face the temptation to give up, throw in the towel and bail. Encouragement gives heart to the disheartened and helps people keep going.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyrpus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36-37)
Whose bucket needs filled today and what can you do to fill it with encouragement?
Be Forgiving----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:12-13)
All of us have been forgiven far more than we will ever forgive.
· Where and how have you experienced the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ?
· Do you need to grant forgiveness to someone?
· Do you need to receive forgiveness from someone?
· What practical steps will you take to give and/or receive forgiveness?
“Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.” (Matthew 118:21-22 MSG)
Be Loving--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)
The important thing is not to think much but to love much. (Teresa of Avila)
· How has Jesus loved you?
· How can you express that love to others?
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. (1 John 3:18 MSG)
How can you practice real love today?