Day 18: Experiencing Life Together


Rick quotes the Bible, "Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19 NIV).  Either the Klan forgot to review this part of the Bible in their teachings, or doing what leads to peace does not exclude murdering.  Okay, I said that mostly because I have a strong distaste for the Klan.  I recognize that the Klan is one of those organizations that uses Christianity as a means toward un-Christian, nefarious ends, and that it is not representative of real Christians.

But on a more serious note, does doing what leads to peace exclude killing other human beings?  Rick says later in the chapter that "fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice."  Sometimes, in my opinion, justice takes the form of an eye for an eye.  What should society do with a driver who hits a 5-year-old girl in a city street and then proceeds to run over the victim with both front and rear wheels on the blood-stained car?  For me the answer is pretty simple.  But what would Rick or other Christians recommend if the driver was a Christian?

"As holy people...be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient" (Colossians 3:12 GWT).  I wish I knew more Christians and more deeply so that I can better understand the extent that this behavior is practiced in real life.  Especially in situations that have very clear distinctions between right and wrong.

Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.


Yes, I do.  Otherwise life would be quite lonely, and meaningless.

Question to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?


Hrmm... I can think of one thing, and that's setting up a follow-up conversation with the friend who gave me the push I needed to purchase and read this book.

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