I have had the opportunity to help with Camp Inagehi in an advisory position to the new director this year. He has done an outstanding job as he has worked through problems and has done well in keeping everyone focused and working together as we took care of eighty-nine +- children. They have about forty – seven staff who have worked very hard too.
We have had some glitches to work through, but this is normal with Bible camp. Some of the young people have learned that camp is not all fun and games, but serious study of Scripture, and that for camp to be fun for all, ALL must participate and follow the rules.
Consider for a moment that this is so true for the church as well. We ALL have the same goal – to make it to heaven so we can be with our Father. He has done all he can to save us in sending Jesus. Jesus willingly came to die so we can be saved by his blood; the Holy Spirit has given us the word of God so we do not have to wonder or guess what His will is for us in our lives.
Beloved, we need to work together to help one another make it to our heavenly home. The church is not a place for dissension or disagreement, because we are brothers and sisters in Christ. (I know some may argue that family doesn’t always get along – and there is truth in that, however, God expects His children to follow Him and “Love one another.” )
Take a few moments to open your Bibles and see what the contexts of these passages COMMAND us to do (remember, these are God inspired commands – not good suggestions to live by!)
John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another“
John 15:12: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you“
Romans 12:8-10: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”
Romans 12:14-21: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 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 13:8-10: Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Romans 14:13-18 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Beloved, let us encourage one another to get to heaven TOGETHER.
Tommy