"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"

You mean I have to deal with that!? There are some people in life who really do live up to the saying, "They are the grit from which we make our pearl." But Jesus is a great example of how to deal with this challenge. Just think about what He had to deal with from His twelve followers. Remember how much His kindness and patience with them changed their lives. Can we let ourselves do less?

It seems like effort, sweat, and hard work have become dirty words in Western Christianity. The Holy Spirit reaches out with His truth to our age of people who take advantage of God's grace. He reminds us that relationships on earth, even in Jesus' Church, are going to take a lot of work, tough love, personal sacrifice, and strict determination. If we read Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17, how could we not do everything we can to keep His Body united and our relationships with His people loving and patient? Since Jesus' sweat and blood paid for our salvation, how can we complain when we have to do our best to keep the family of Jesus together?

You mean I have to deal with that!?" There are some people in life who really do live up to the saying, "They are the grit from which we make our pearl." But Jesus is a great example of how to deal with this challenge. Just think about what He had to deal with from His 12 followers. Remember how much His kindness and patience with them changed their lives. Can we allow ourselves to do less?