Here, Paul is encouraging the early church in Rome to live in harmony, regardless of their background. This community is made up of people of both Jewish and Gentile heritage, and they are figuring out how to live, love, and worship together. Living in harmony is hard enough with people we’ve known our whole lives, let alone with those who have different perspectives and priorities from us. But God’s steadfast love and Jesus’ example give us the tools for that task.
Because God first loves us, we can love others. Because Jesus welcomed people of all walks of life to his table, so can we. Living in such a way glorifies God and is, in itself, an act of gratitude for God’s faithfulness to us.
In what ways do you show love to those around you? How does this reflect the gift of grace that you’ve been given?
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s steadfast love.
