BROADCASTS.com

READ: 3 JOHN 1:5-8; ROMANS 15:7; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6; EPHESIANS 4:1-6\n\n\n\nIn God\u2019s family, we will encounter people who have different backgrounds, experiences, personalities, likes, and dislikes than ours. And this is a beautiful thing! But it can be challenging as we seek to learn from and be kind to each other through the differences.\n\n\n\nAs fellow Christians, there\u2019s good news. Even if we don\u2019t have much in common with some of our siblings in Christ, we\u2019re still siblings because we both know Jesus as our Savior. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus unites us with all Christians and makes us part of His family, called the church. He is with us through the Holy Spirit, and that same Holy Spirit is in every believer. And He loves all of us. That\u2019s why we need to be kind and welcoming to each other, no matter where someone is from or how different from us they may be. Jesus\u2019s love for us is what binds us together\u2014and it\u2019s what enables us to love each other.\n\n\n\nWhen you are kind and welcoming to people who are different from you, you may be surprised to find they\u2019re not so different from you after all! But no matter how similar or different they may be, Jesus calls us to show kindness to others\u2014 especially if they know Him as their Savior too. Instead of drawing back from each other because of our differences, we can lean in and learn from each other as siblings in Christ. And who knows\u2014maybe we\u2019ll get to know God a little bit better in the process! \u2022 A. W. Smith\n\n\n\n\u2022 Is there someone you\u2019ve found difficult to love? Consider taking some time in prayer, asking God to help you see as He sees and love as He loves in this situation.\n\n\n\n\u2022 Who are trusted people in your life who can help you love difficult people well, including setting boundaries where necessary\u2014such as therapists, parents, teachers, pastors, etc.?\n\n\n\n\u2022 Can you think of a time you were pleasantly surprised when you encountered someone different from you? What was it like?\n\n\n\nTherefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone\u2014 especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:10 (NLT)