If

we are serious about living a life of Christian faith, we must keep

in mind how our actions affect others. We cannot grow in faith all by

ourselves; nor may we forget to tend to the well-being of others.

Even if we have broad diversity, there can be unity when our shared

focus and purpose are about loving God and neighbor. Mutual

hospitality is a vital part of building unity as God’s people.

We

build unity when we look out for one another. This means we are to

help others out, even when it might not be convenient. Paul speaks

directly to believers who are “strong,” including himself in that

grouping, because those who consider themselves “strong” can

easily be tempted to look down on others who are not like them.

Going

even further, Paul says we are to accept one another just as Christ

has accepted us. How did Christ accept each one of us? He accepted us

with plenty of faults.

We

have all experienced being let down by other people, and we have all

been guilty of letting others down. Paul also reminds us that we are

to forgive just as we have been forgiven. And he urges us to put on

the virtue of love because that is what binds us together in perfect

unity.

In

what ways can you share God’s love to help build unity?