“There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
…a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.”
– Proverbs 6:16,19

Though a list of seven things is long, the emphasis is on that final line – it’s an abomination to God to sow discord among brothers. An abomination! Whether in an earthly family or God’s family (which is the church), He despises people who stir up trouble and divides people. Whether it’s by gossip, petty insults, or playing one side against another, God hates it all! There’s a reason Jesus declared God’s favor and blessing upon peacemakers.

Harmony within families and within the church is prized by God. Jesus prayed for unity. The good news is that that doesn’t require uniformity. That doesn’t mean people can’t disagree over things, even important things. But Christians must disagree in a manner pleasing to God. We must discipline ourselves to disagree in a way that still affirms our love and relationship with one another. More spiritually mature Christians must not only practice this but teach others to do the same.

Jesus said that the peacemakers will inherit the earth. Guess what… Christians are going to inherit the earth. That means we’re all supposed to be peacemakers! Are you a peacemaker? Not just getting along with others but bringing people together when they’re in conflict? Do you value unity, harmony, and love above being seen by others as right and getting your way? Understand the proverbs and their emphasis on not saying or doing things that divide people or make fractured relationships worse. Then love your brothers and sisters – in life and in church. Hold tight to them and #FollowJesus

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” – Mark 10:15

This certainly sounds important! Who doesn’t want to enter God’s Kingdom? Assuming you do, be sure to receive it like a child. But what does that mean??? Let’s first understand what it doesn’t mean. When they hear these words of Jesus, many people immediately think about the so-called innocence of children, believing they must be innocent like that to enter God’s Kingdom. No way! Children are many wonderful things but they certainly aren’t innocent. They may be sweet, spunky, honest, and naive about the evils of the world but they still sin. Jesus knew that. Anyone who spends much time around kids knows that. We are truly sinners by nature! So, good news, you don’t need to be perfectly innocent to get into God’s Kingdom!

However, there are two actual attributes of little children that seem very relevant to entering God’s Kingdom. The first is that little kids are utterly dependent on the adults in their lives for everything. They receive all their food, shelter, clothing, comfort, and education from their parents, grandparents, teachers and others. Little children bring nothing to the table and shamelessly receive everything from adults. Though they may try to help, that help only slows things down.

The Kingdom of God is EXACTLY like that! We can do nothing to help save ourselves or get into God’s Kingdom. We can do nothing to earn or deserve admission into God’s perfect, holy Kingdom. We’re trapped in our sin and utterly dependent on Christ’s work on the cross to save us. He suffered and died so that our sins could be forgiven. There’s nothing we can add to that! If we wish to enter God’s Kingdom it’s only through utter dependence on God’s grace given through faith in Jesus Christ.

That’s the second child-like quality we must embrace to enter God’s Kingdom—faith. Little children implicitly believe anything and everything their parents tell them. They have absolute faith and trust in their parents (at least until a certain stage of development). We must likewise have simple faith and trust in Jesus if we’re going to enter God’s Kingdom. We must believe to receive. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of grace given through faith alone. There’s nothing we must do other than trust in the Lord. There’s nothing we can do other than trust in the Lord. In this, we’re truly like little children. #FollowJesus

“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.” – Mark 9:43

Since all sin flows out of our hearts and minds, your hand can’t literally cause you to sin. So, put down the knife and listen to the deadly serious point Jesus is making here! If there’s ANYTHING in your life that routinely tempts you to sin in a way you can’t handle, you need to simply get rid of that thing. Holiness is too important to Jesus to keep that thing around.

Think carefully about those times you fall into sin – whatever that sin may be. What’s the common thread? Is it a thing like a smartphone, app, or computer? Is it a place? Is it an activity you’re doing? Particular people you’re with? A particular time of day or night?

Whatever it is, Jesus says to cut it out of your life. Don’t mess with it at all. Take whatever extreme steps you need to take to eliminate that source of temptation. It’s better to go through life without that activity, person, place, or thing than to continue to be defeated by the temptation that comes with it. You were redeemed from your sin by the sacrifice of Jesus. He didn’t die for you to keep flirting with sin and losing your battle with temptation. He died to give you victory!

Sometimes that victory means wisely knowing how to avoid a battle you’re likely to lose. What are those battles? How can you avoid them? What are you willing to do to maintain your holiness for the glory of God? #FollowJesus

“O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.”
– Psalm 26:8

When King David wrote this verse, he was speaking of the extraordinary portable sanctuary called the Tabernacle. Built in the time of Moses, this tent was the place where God’s presence and glory visibly dwelt on earth among His people. A generation later, the place where God’s glory dwelt was the spectacular temple built by David’s son Solomon. It would be easy to fall in love with these magnificent structures and places so intimately associated with God’s presence and glory. They had beauty and majesty. They couldn’t disappoint.

Today, however, God’s presence and glory dwells in something very different! He dwells in every follower of Jesus. God lives in you and in all your Christian brothers and sisters. Do you love them with the kind of zeal David had for a tent??? Jesus was very, very explicit – His followers are required to love each other as proof to the world that they are actually Christians. His commandment to love one another the way He loves us isn’t a suggestion. It’s truly a commandment.

But people are messy. They’re complicated. They’re challenging. They’re frustrating. They’re imperfect. It doesn’t matter…. Love them anyway! Just like Jesus loves you when you’re messy, complicated, challenging, frustrating, and imperfect. Do you love your fellow Christians because they’re temples of God’s Spirit and presence on earth? Do you love your fellow church members because they house the Holy Spirit? Do you choose to love them even when they’re unlovable?

Love for fellow believers isn’t meant to be blind. But it must imitate the sacrificial love Jesus has for His imperfect followers. Choose to obey Jesus. Choose to love the people in which God’s Spirit and glory dwells. Love them actively and intentionally. Love them in the messy reality and not just the abstract imaginary. Love your brothers and sisters in Christ. #FollowJesus

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” – Exodus 34:29

After spending time in God’s presence, Moses’ face glowed with the reflected glory of God. This shining was terrifying to the Israelites because even this fading reflection of God’s awesome presence and holiness reminded them of their profound unholiness as fallen human beings. The people of Israel were afraid of the presence of God, always seeking to keep it at a distance. To calm their nerves, Moses would wear a veil over his face whenever he was around others. He would, however, remove the veil whenever he met with God.

As Christians, we no longer need, or have, a separation between us and God. Jesus removed the need for a veil on the cross. When we trust in Jesus as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, we’re made new creation, and God’s Spirit begins to live within us. We’re able to enjoy God’s presence rather than fear it. And yet, we often still shy away from God’s presence. 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes the freedom we have to look on God’s glory with unveiled faces. In Christ, we’re able to enjoy God’s presence rather than fear it. And yet, we’re often still afraid to really spend time in God’s presence. Are you?

As Christians, we can distract ourselves with good works and religious activities to avoid the discipline (and joy) of stilling ourselves before God, asking to experience His presence, and truly worshipping Him without a veil. Do you actively desire and seek God’s presence? In prayer and worship? In silence and solitude? Don’t shy away from God – seek more of Him. He will reward all who seek Him by revealing Himself in ways large and small. Don’t fear God’s presence and don’t live a veiled life. #FollowJesus