Bible Study - One Another - Agree with One Another - Genesis 13 and Romans 12 and 15 - August 28, 2011

Bible Study – One Another – Agree with One Another – August 28, 2011

This is our final lesson in our series entitled “One Anothering.”
Our scripture is Genesis 13:1-12; Romans 12:16-18; 15:5-6.

In our series of study, we have considered love for one another, forgive and don’t criticize one another. It is fitting to conclude with “agreeing with one another.” But it is not agreeing that a wrong is a right. It is agreeing to resolve an issue that does not compromise the fundamentals of the Christian faith. It is keeping and maintaining unity among Christians regarding controversial, non-fundamental matters. Do we agree to not be disagreeable on these matters and focus on what GOD is leading us to accomplish for HIM? It takes a strong person to choose something that is less than ideal to maintain a relationship, harmony or peace. Again, this is not rolling over on fundamental matters or principles. We cannot avoid disagreements but the key is how we respond to disagreements. Can we keep a cool head and work toward a resolution that will glorify GOD and build unity?

Let’s explore.
Let’s read Genesis 13:1-7: (My inserts)
Abram and Lot Separate
1 Then Abram went up from Egypt to the • Negev (NEH gehv)—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him. 2 Abram was very rich[1] in livestock, silver, and gold. 3 He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been, 4 to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram worshiped[2] the LORD there. 5 Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together, 7 and there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites (KAY nuhn ights) and the Perizzites (PEHR ih zights) were living in the land.

GOD called Abram to follow HIM from Ur, which is in the area we know today as Iraq. Ur was a flourishing civilization. Those in Ur worshipped idols. When the true GOD revealed Himself to Abram, he obeyed HIM and journeyed with his father, Terah, along with his wife, Sarai and his nephew, Lot, to Haran. Terah worshipped other gods, the moon-god being one. Haran was where the moon-god was worshipped.

When his father died, Abram journeyed to Canaan by faith. He took his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot with him. They stayed in several different places in Canaan. A famine came to that area and he took his family to Egypt to buy food.

He took Sarai and Lot with him and he told those with whom he came in contact that Sarai was his sister. This was not a blatant lie because she was his half-sister. But he was looking out for his own skin because Sarai was a beautiful woman and he feared being killed if the Egyptians knew he was her husband. It paid off for him because the Pharaoh took her with the intension of making her his wife. Pharaoh treated Abram well – sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants and camels. GOD intervened by causing a plague on Pharaoh’s family. This resulted in Pharaoh chastising Abram for not telling him that Sarai was his wife and sent him back to Canaan with all his possessions.

This brings us to the beginning of our scripture. Abram and Lot had stuff and livestock and they returned to Negev (NEH gev) from Egypt. Then they went in stages to Bethel and finally to an area between Bethel and Ai. Abram and Lot both had herds of livestock and soon it was obvious that they would soon overgraze the area. The herdsmen of Abram and Lot began to argue over grazing rights. This came to the attention of Abram and Lot who discussed the matter. Also, in that area there were others, the Canaanites and Perizzites, who had herds that needed to graze.

Abram and Lot had a problem that needed a solution before it escalated into a bigger problem. Someone had to address the matter. The herdsmen of Abram and Lot could not because they did not have the authority. So the matter, rightfully, fell upon the shoulders of Abram and Lot.

Abram was called by GOD to travel to a land that HE would show him. This anointed Abram with special purpose and authority. So would he use this authority to dictate to Lot what to do? Let’s explore.

Let’s read Genesis 13:8-12:
8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Please, let’s not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives.[3] 9 Isn’t the whole land before you? Separate from me: if [you go]* to the left, I will go to the right; if [you go]* to the right, I will go to the left.” 10 Lot looked out and saw that the entire Jordan Valley as far as[4] Zoar was well-watered everywhere like the LORD’s garden[5] and the land of Egypt. This was before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. 11 So Lot chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other. 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities of the valley and set up his tent near Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning greatly[6] against the LORD.

Abram took the lead to resolve the matter. He could have just told Lot what to do but instead he wanted to settle the matter without hard feelings. He wanted to maintain his relationship with Lot and his family. Abram saw the matter as something that could negatively impact their relationship and their relationship was more valuable than whose herd grazed where.

Abram states that their bond was blood because they were blood related as a family. Christians are related to each other through the shed blood of JESUS. Christians are the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth. As Christians, we also have the responsibility to work out our differences before they reach an explosive stage.

Abram told Lot to look out at all the land that was available to both of them and there was no need for grazing to be an issue. I think it was interesting and very wise that Abram told Lot to choose the direction he wanted to take his herds and family and he would go in the opposite direction. Neither would stay put but both were relocating. That took out of the mix the potential for one to feel like the other had won the argument.

Lot looked out and saw the lush fertile Jordan valley which happened to be in the direction of Sodom. The scripture is quick to point out that this was before GOD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The old saying that all that glitters is not gold applies here. Lot must have thought that if Uncle Abram was giving him first choice, he would choose what he thought was best for him and his family. We know from the rest of the story that it cost Lot his wife, all that he had and resulted in an incest relationship when his daughters got him drunk and had sex with him.

So often we think getting a new job or relocating to a new area will bring us more happiness and it may for awhile. Then reality hits us and we see that it might not have been the right thing to do but we are locked into that lifestyle. GOD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, which forced Lot and his family to leave.

Let’s read Roman 12:16-18; 15:5-6:
16 Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

The Apostle Paul began chapter 12 writing about a Christian being a living sacrifice. In essence, die to self. A living sacrifice considers others above himself or herself.

Paul stated in verse 16 that Christians are to be in agreement with one another. This is not compromising on the basic fundamentals of Christianity. It is agreeing not to allow your differences on nonessential matters to result in disunity. Unity is important to not only the Christian community but to the surrounding community of non-believers.

Paul continued:

Do not be proud. Paul was not referring to personal pride but to the attitude of thinking only of oneself. That is a Christian who thinks of himself or herself before considering others. Put others first.

Instead associate with the humble. The use of the word “humble” carries the idea of “lower classes” that is those that some circles consider less important or social outcasts.

Do not be wise in your own estimation. This reflects the attitude of the heart. Do things my way because any other way does not measure up.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Paul expounded on this in Romans 12:19-21 - 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His[2] wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay,[3] says the Lord. 20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.[4]21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. I like the word “try.”

If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Again, Paul used the words “if possible.” These Christian attributes are difficult to impossible, in my opinion, without the Christian having the right relationship with CHRIST. That is allowing CHRIST to live life through him or her. This is a yielding of self or dying to self for this to happen. The process of sanctification is designed to develop Christians through Spiritual growth and maturity to have the attitudes that Paul was describing. In our own strength, it is impossible.

The idea behind Paul’s remarks was directed toward keeping and maintaining unity with a loving attitude. There was one common cause, reaching a lost world with the message of salvation through JESUS CHRIST. In order to do that effectively, Christians must be in harmony and unified in this effort but not to compromise the fundamentals of the gospel. Agree you can disagree on the non-fundamentals but focus on the mission.

Let’s read Romans 15:5-6:
5 Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.

The lives and attitudes of Christians should reflect the life of JESUS because of the miracle of rebirth. When the lives of Christians are in harmony or in the right relationship with CHRIST, they will glorify GOD the FATHER of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. That was the ministry of JESUS to glorify HIS FATHER. That is the mission of Christians as well by allowing the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT to make and mold them into the image of CHRIST.

The Christian life is only possible to the extent he/she allows CHRIST to live through him/her. The power of the HOLY SPIRIT is vital for Christians to live as GOD desires for them to live.

This is our last study in this series “One Anothering.” How Christians live impacts others either positively or negatively. Our flesh can wreak havoc but when we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to control our lives, then, we become a sweet smelling fragrance to GOD and others around us without getting the big head. Blessings.