“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:1-6 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.15.1-6.NKJV
God gave us tools to move towards Him. The Bible is for our learnings of what God commands and forbids as well as successful ways to maneuver within this world righteously. The Bible gives hope for something much better. The Bible is also a support in our common trial and tribulations in this world. We experience loss, wars, famines, persecutions, sufferings and the like just like those in Biblical times. God is rich in mercy and comfort and wants disciples to be together to support and learn from each other. God receives glory through common worship just like He does with individual worship. God didn’t want us to ever be truly alone no matter what life events are hurled our way. Churches aid in our learnings. Churches build up believers through discipleship. Churches provide a common thread of love through a common threads.
The Church is a product of God’s expression of love and comfort. It is charged with building discipleship and strengthening communities. Thank you Father for giving Your disciples loving tools that aid in moving closer to you.
As for moving closer to Him, Paul says:
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’”
Acts 17:26-28 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/act.17.26-28.NKJV
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
