Note

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     "As, therefore, God's picked representatives of the new humanity, purified and beloved of God Himself, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and tolerant with one another, always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone" (Col, 3:12, 13-Phillips Translation).

     Many of our problems arise because we do not accept life, but rebel against our lot, striving, fretting and fussing about our station or status. So long as we live on earth with other people, there will be differences. We can no more all think alike than we can all look alike. Our minds are as divergent in thought as our faces are in appearance. But we need to cultivate the art of "togetherness." This does not demand blind conformity, but it does require that we learn how to treat each other for we must live together in spite of our differences. The three-fold recommendation of heaven is for patience, tolerance, and a readiness to forgive. These would not prevent differences, nothing will ever do that, but they would prevent division and schism if all cultivated them earnestly. It is not true that all divisions among brethren are caused by things not taught in the Bible; many are caused by our attitude of impatience, intolerance and unwillingness to forgive. Tolerance is not unity, and must never be confused with it. It is only the atmosphere in which we seek for unity. It is suffering that which we cannot alter at the moment; putting up with things until we can work a change. Even God had to suffer many things to continue, which He did not endorse, until He could bring about a change. He is still tolerant with those of us who are in fellowship with Him. We do many things in our childishness which do not merit or meet His approval, but he tolerates us until we can outgrow them. Perhaps if we acted like "God's picked representatives of the new humanity," we would do likewise.