Get Along

A high school cheerleader was chosen to be her team’s chaplain. When asked what she was going to tell them at their first meeting she said, “I’m going to tell them to get along.” The Lord has been telling all of that from the dawn of time.

It is difficult for a group or even a couple to get along without conflicts at some points. The crux of the matter is found in a quote attributed to the Apostle John. In his latter days word got around that he was coming back to Ephesus and would address the church. Expectantly a large crowd gathered to hear the spiritual giant. He stood and said, “Little children love one another,” and sat down. His brief timely message reverberates with truth applicable today.

For God to achieve anything worthwhile through a group of people, they must love Him and one another.

Philip Melanghthon, considered by many to be the brains of the Great Awakening in the 16th Century, defined admirable attributes for group harmony:

“In essentials unity,
In nonessentials diversity,
In all things charity (love).”

Resolve to maintain each of these attributes in your personal life. Much confusion as well as conflicts can be avoided by doing so.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4: 11

John Wesley, an Armenian, and John Whitfield, a Calvinist, had strong disagreements regarding many issues. Wesley was asked, “Do you expect to see Mr. Whitfield in Heaven?”  Immediately he answered, “No, he will be so near the throne of God that men like me will never even get a glimpse of him.” That kind of regard for our spiritually kin can enable us to be agreeable, that is not hostile, even when disagreeing.

There is a story of two Jews, two Catholics, and two Baptists being stranded on a remote island. The two Jews immediately started building a synagogue. The two Catholics started organizing a Catholic church. The two Baptists started at once to organize the First and Second Baptist Churches.

We are by nature egoists. “For all seek their own” (Philippians 2:21). The soul of God’s whole activity, from the creation to the new creation, is love. Proper love for self yes, but love for others guided by love for Him. God did not put you on Earth just to live for yourself. He wants you to make the world a better place! It is done by being your best self and helping others do the same.

Remember the message, “Get along.”