In the first few chapters of his letter to the Romans, Paul attempts to unite the church in Rome by speaking about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the truths which all believers have in common.  Paul explains that Jesus supersedes all our differences, shortcomings, and brokenness.  Because of Christ’s finished work, Paul exhorts the church in Rome to not just to have love for one another, but to sincerely love one another- using the word “love” as an action verb. 

Despite their differences, he tells the church to be “devoted to one another in love” and to “honor one another” above themselves.  Paul strongly advocates for unity, not uniformity, in the church. It is something that only Christ can do in and through us.  It is amazing to see that when there is unity, the church flourishes.

Christ first loved us in all our brokenness. He calls us to love others with that same love He demonstrated to us. What would it look like for us to love all those around us – despite our shortcomings, our differences, and even our disagreements? 

We are all broken people living in a broken world.  Pray that the Lord will use us, even in our brokenness, to receive His great love and share that love of Christ with others.