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Intro: Have you heard the old saying, “We are creatures of Habit”? It is true. We are, we get into routines and a rhythm of life. Ill: In my job what makes painting trees easy is a consistent pace. Meaning when the trees are consistently the same distance apart you get into a good pace. What is hard…

The Spiritual Disciplines help to draw us closer to God.

The most important, primary quality of a believer is love. It is love that saved us, love that is given to us, and love that we are called to live out toward one another. One who has dedicated their whole lives to the worship of God through the service to the body is one who hates sin. The opposite to hating evil is loving righteousness. A Christian loves genuinely, hates evil, clings to what is good.

Living in harmony is the same as seeing each other as being on the same level, and agreeing together on where we are called to go, or what we are to aim at. As Christians we see each other as equal participants of God’s sovereign grace and we agree to aim at genuine love for all man-kind. We are not to be so headstrong and absorbed in self-confidence that we cannot hear the wisdom God speaks through others. Jesus lived and taught this way, also it points to the glory of God's grace.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in the Spirit, serve the Lord. Be efficient and enthusiastic in your work for the Lord. It is possible to be busy with other things yet slothful in spiritual things which reduces enthusiasm for the things of God. The combination of work and enthusiasm is true service to God. On the other hand, working without passion for God will lead to burnout. Enthusiasm for God comes from God.

The authencity of our faith in Christ is demonstrated by the way we show real, tangible, brotherly, affectionate love to one another. Love for one another is something God must do in us. We can not force it but we can recognize our need and ask for it. The way we can honor one another is by eagerly, selflessly, humbly serving each other with the spiritual gifts God has given us. How can you show affectionate, brotherly love to your fellow Christian? What has God given you to share with others?

Considering God's abundant grace, Christians forfeit their right to be offended and seek to live in peace with everyone. How we respond to offense should be according to God's standard of good, acceptable and perfect. That we represent Christ in the midst of the viewing world, our reactions should be honorable in the sight of all. Do not let peace be hindered on account of you but also do not compromise biblical truth for 'fake' peace. We are called to love people not simply tolerate them.