Can we all get along?

Do you remember what happened in LA in 1992? Do you remember the footage of Rodney King being beaten by police officers? Do you remember the rioting and violence that followed the acquittal of the officers who beat Mr. King? Do you remember when Mr. King appeared before television cameras and asked, “…can we all get along? Can we get along?”

My spiritual heritage is of those who couldn’t get along. (For what it’s worth, so is yours.) We fuss and fight over everything. We insist on our way, on our understanding of scripture, on our church practices, and so on and so forth. We think we’re ‘right’ because we do the ‘right’ things the ‘right’ way. Worse yet, we think we’re ‘right’ because everyone else is ‘wrong.’

The apostle Paul said, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:5-7).

Paul said we are to accept one another “just as Christ accepted you.” That’s a powerful qualifier!!! Especially considering that when He accepted me I was “powerless” (Rom. 5:6), “a sinner” (Rom. 5:8), and “dead in my transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

And, so I ask you. “Can we all get along? Can we get along?”

Think about it…
BHall