Each of us is entitled to our own opinions. God created each of us differently and we have diverse experiences and background.  However some insist that others follow their way of thinking and even their way of doing things. God in His sovereignty knew this would happen; in that no two humans can agree a hundred percent. For this reason Adam was asked to name all the animals before God created Eve.  While we cannot agree with another party a hundred percent of the time, we can accomplish much when we complement each other (God created Eve as a help meet). This help meet is to give Adam a co-worker and someone whom he could communicate with. They also needed to encourage one another in order to live in harmony. 

There is a hierarchy and organisation in our society. In the country, we have the political leaders, in the church we have spiritual leaders. In consistency with the Bible, Peter compares believers to sheep which are gentle animals. He then calls Christians to practise gentleness in all areas of life. Home is where love and warmth is supposed to be. In the country there is law and order. To have a harmonious home, there must be peace through law and order as instructed by God through His Word. Wives are to submit themselves to their husbands (win your unsaved husband with true spiritual beauty). Husbands are to love their wives. 

Encouragement is a strong signal to show our love and submission. You may be surprised how much mileage you can get through your kind words and deeds. There is a story told about a successful entrepreneur. She was raised by an adopted grandmother in a small town. She felt miserable as she did not have parents to cheer her along like the others. During school sports day, she was disheartened and decided to put in little effort just to complete the 100-meter run. Her adopted grandmother needed to work for a living and would most likely be absent from the school. Before the race began, she saw her grandmother with a carton box. She was excited at the presence of her only next of kin. She went over to ask as to why there is carton box to which grandma replied: “How else would we carry your awards home?” Knowing that the closest person to her has such faith, she put in all her effort for the races. She indeed won a few awards. It is quite difficult to carry on without knowing who has faith in us. We soon are worn out. We need to encourage our church leaders by bringing in the carton box. 

In the church we are to show one another love and courtesy. Pray that we will surrender our will to the Lord and ask Him to help us obey His Word. Difficult it may be to show love outside our homes and our church, we are still to show love in the world. They say Christians read the Bible while others read Christians through their behaviour. Anybody can suffer for doing wrong but Christians must learn to suffer for doing what is right. Jesus has shown us so many examples to follow. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). As a result Christ suffered for doing what was right, we live freely for doing wrong (sin). 

Jesus did not get any encouragement. He was alone at the most trying time. Thanks be unto God, He never leaves us alone. He tells us over again that we should have faith in Him. He will be with us until the end. Then there are crowns awaiting those who are diligent and faithful. God has already placed these crowns in carton boxes. 1 Peter 2:18-25. We are to be a gentle witness in this violent world. It is a testimony for the glory of God.

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