Live in Harmony with One Another.
Live in harmony with one another. If two singers sing the same notes at the same pitch, it is not harmony. There needs to be a chord, or part of one. If one sings the melody of a particular song while another hums the bass of a completely different song, not in tune with each other, this is not quite harmony either. Parts of it may accidentally harmonize, but that is not the intent. But, if each sings different notes of a chord, even with different words unique to themselves while complementary to the other, than the result is beautiful harmony.
My goal is to sing as best as I am able, in my voice range, with tonal quality and dynamic volume, using meaningful and thoughtful lyrics that come from my heart.
Yet, if all the world's a stage, it is not my time to bellow a solo. Alas, the stage is quite populated. Nor am I the director who decides who else is on the stage. To seek to harmonize, I must listen carefully to other voices as well and then make my wholehearted contribution. Music, beautiful music, is the result of deliberate collaboration and harmony, be it duo, quartet, or orchestra.
Yes, we can hear a single voice produce the most wonderfully dynamic tune and enchanting lyrics. We can entertain or be entertained by a single instrument, perhaps performed by a virtuoso. But, I argue there is more to Harmony, Peace, and the Good simply by playing the role of the listener. In fact, life demands participation for these attributes to fully come alive. They cannot be achieved in isolation. We are all on the stage. Let us give, and live, the greatest performance we can muster.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:16-21)
I believe there is a reason Paul included this advice to the Christians and would-be Christians in Rome. Why? It is simply this:
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
Note to the reader:
To live in harmony with one another is just one of my many goals for 2018 and beyond. My other goals include living peaceably with all, and overcoming evil with good, phrases also found in the same passage above. I will write about those goals in later posts.
My hope and prayer for you are that God draws you to Himself, and then you diligently seek Him. For God so loved the world (John 3:16a), absolutely, and that includes you specifically.
If this devotional has touched your heart, please do not keep it for yourself. Share it. Leave a comment if you'd like. But most of all, thank God, the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:16-21)
I believe there is a reason Paul included this advice to the Christians and would-be Christians in Rome. Why? It is simply this:
Once we are saved, let us humbly seek the full and accurate knowledge of the truth. For we shall discover the glorious knowledge and wisdom hidden in Christ.
[may your] hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3 ESV)
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Note to the reader:
To live in harmony with one another is just one of my many goals for 2018 and beyond. My other goals include living peaceably with all, and overcoming evil with good, phrases also found in the same passage above. I will write about those goals in later posts.
My hope and prayer for you are that God draws you to Himself, and then you diligently seek Him. For God so loved the world (John 3:16a), absolutely, and that includes you specifically.
If this devotional has touched your heart, please do not keep it for yourself. Share it. Leave a comment if you'd like. But most of all, thank God, the Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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