Most of the success in our Christian life depends on how well we get along with other people. The Pauline Epistles are filled with scriptures about unity, harmony, and getting along with one another. Several times in the book of Acts you’ll find the statement, “They were all with one accord.” When they were in unity and harmony, that was usually when something happened.
Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (NIV). But the ability to get along with people usually requires a great deal of effort. It just doesn’t happen because you talk about it. Even when everything is going great, you may still have some problems getting along with people.
For example, several years ago a professional football team had been up and down, winning and losing. While they were in a slump one season, a new owner and a new coach were brought in, and the team won the Super Bowl. Then the team won a second Super Bowl. But after winning the second Super Bowl, the coach didn’t get a raise from the owner – he got fired!
You see, even though the coach had helped the team win two Super Bowl trophies, he was fired because he rubbed the owner the wrong way! Everything was going great – the team had risen to the top of their game. And yet because of a personal conflict, someone got fired.
When conflicts arise, you can either take the low road or the high road. You can take the low road and wallow in the mire, allowing bad feelings or offenses to pull you down. Or you can take the high road and rise up, living above the situation. By taking the high road, you choose to walk according to what the Word of God says.
God gives us a recipe for getting along with others when we become born again. First Peter 5:5 talks about being clothed with humility. Some of us need to take off the garments we have on and begin to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then we need to make sure to put on the belt of love, which holds it all together.
If the Lord tarries His coming, we’re going to need these garments as we go through life, because the enemy is going to put on the pressure more and more. So we must learn how to live and act like Christians.
By taking the high road and choosing to live in unity and harmony, I firmly believe we can make a difference and begin to see more happen in our churches, on our jobs, and in our families. It’s when we get out of unity and harmony that the Spirit of God can’t flow.
So always let the peace of God rule in your heart. Clothe yourself in humility, compassion, forgiveness, patience, gentleness, and love. And remember, when you’re in one of life’s hard places, you can take the high road!
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications
Kenneth W. Hagin, President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries and pastor of RHEMA Bible Church, ministers around the world. Known for calling the Body of Christ to steadfast faith, he seizes every ministry opportunity to impart an attitude of “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit.”
Rev. Hagin began preparing for his call to ministry—a ministry that now spans 50 years—at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Faith Theological Seminary in Tampa, Florida.
In his early years of ministry, Rev. Hagin was an associate pastor and traveling evangelist. Later, he went on to organize and develop RHEMA Bible Training Centers in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and in other countries around the world.
Kenneth W. Hagin’s array of responsibilities also includes International Director of RHEMA Ministerial Association International. He hosts the annual A Call to Arms® Men’s Conference, and with his wife, Lynette, cohosts RHEMA Praise, a weekly television program, and Rhema for Today, a weekday radio program broadcast throughout the United States. They also conduct Living Faith Crusades, spreading the message of faith and healing around the world.
Recognizing the lateness of the hour before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. Hagin has expanded his speaking schedule beyond his regular pastoral duties. To fulfill the urgent call of God to prepare the Church for a deeper experience of His Presence, Rev. Hagin delivers messages that reveal key spiritual truths about faith, healing, and other vital subjects. He ministers with a strong healing anointing, and his ministry leads the Body of Christ into a greater experience of the glory of God!
Kenneth W. Hagin and his wife live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the son of the late Kenneth E. Hagin.