Embracing Harmony Through Humility in Christ
Summary
In Romans 12:16, we are called to live in harmony with one another, a command that is both simple and profound. Harmony, as understood in music, is not about unison but about different notes coming together to enrich and complement each other. This is a beautiful metaphor for how we, as Christians, are to live together, embracing our differences to create a more beautiful whole. This call to harmony is especially urgent in our polarized world, where division and conflict are rampant. The church is to be a place where harmony is visibly lived out, offering a counter-narrative to the discord around us.
The primary obstacle to this harmony is pride. Pride manifests in two ways: arrogance, where we see ourselves as superior to others, and independence, where we believe we have all the wisdom we need within ourselves. Both forms of pride prevent us from living in harmony. Arrogance leads us to look down on others, while independence makes us dismissive of the wisdom and contributions of others. The antidote to pride is humility, which opens us to learning from God and others.
The story of Thomas Oden illustrates the dangers of being wise in our own eyes. Oden, a theologian, initially approached the Bible with a filter, accepting only what aligned with his preconceived notions. It was only when he humbled himself and sought to be faithful to Scripture, rather than seeking novelty, that he found true fulfillment. This transformation underscores the importance of approaching Scripture with humility, allowing God to teach and transform us.
In our interactions, especially in disagreements, we must remember that our goal is not to win arguments but to reflect Christ's love and humility. John Newton's advice to pray for those we disagree with and to engage with compassion rather than anger is a powerful reminder of how we are to conduct ourselves. Ultimately, the gospel calls us to lay aside our pride, recognizing that all we have is a gift from God. In doing so, we can live in harmony, reflecting the beauty and unity of Christ to a world in desperate need of hope.
Key Takeaways:
1. Harmony in Diversity: True harmony is not about everyone being the same but about embracing our differences to enrich one another. This reflects the nature of God and is a powerful witness in a divided world. [01:29]
2. The Danger of Pride: Pride, whether through arrogance or independence, is a barrier to harmony. It blinds us to our need for others and for God, leading to discord and division. [05:43]
3. Humility in Disagreement: Engaging in disagreements with humility and compassion, as advised by John Newton, allows us to reflect Christ's love and avoid the spiritual dangers of pride. [10:24]
4. Learning from Thomas Oden: Oden's journey from pride to humility shows the importance of approaching Scripture with an open heart, allowing God to teach us rather than filtering His word through our own biases. [29:12]
5. The Gospel's Call to Humility: The gospel destroys pride by reminding us that all we have is a gift from God. This humility enables us to live in harmony, reflecting the unity and love of Christ. [39:04]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 12:16
- [00:55] - Understanding Harmony
- [02:12] - Harmony in Marriage and God
- [03:03] - The Church's Call to Harmony
- [04:27] - The Obstacle of Pride
- [05:43] - Expressions of Pride
- [07:18] - Humility in Public Discourse
- [09:23] - John Newton's Advice
- [11:59] - Spiritual Dangers of Controversy
- [13:07] - God's Presence and Humility
- [15:00] - Independence as Pride
- [18:16] - Intellectual Repentance
- [19:30] - Thomas Oden's Story
- [29:12] - Oden's Transformation
- [35:14] - The Promise of Humility in Scripture
- [39:04] - The Gospel's Humbling Power
- [40:37] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:16
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 12:16 instruct us to do in our relationships with one another? How does this relate to the concept of harmony as described in the sermon? [00:34]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two expressions of pride mentioned in Romans 12:16, and how do they hinder harmony? [05:43]
3. How does the story of Thomas Oden illustrate the danger of being "wise in your own sight"? What transformation did he undergo? [19:30]
4. What advice does John Newton give about engaging in disagreements, and how does it relate to humility? [10:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of musical harmony help us understand the biblical call to live in harmony with one another? What does this suggest about the value of diversity within the church? [01:29]
2. In what ways can pride manifest in our daily lives, and how does it prevent us from living in harmony with others? [05:43]
3. How does the transformation of Thomas Oden from pride to humility serve as a lesson for approaching Scripture and learning from God? [29:12]
4. What role does humility play in resolving conflicts and disagreements, according to the sermon? How can this approach reflect Christ's love? [10:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent disagreement you had. How could you have approached it with more humility and compassion, as advised by John Newton? [10:24]
2. Identify an area in your life where pride might be hindering your relationships. What steps can you take to cultivate humility in that area? [05:43]
3. Think about a time when you felt superior to others. How did that affect your interactions with them, and what can you do differently in the future to promote harmony? [05:43]
4. How can you embrace the differences in your church community to create a more harmonious environment? What practical actions can you take to enrich and complement others? [01:29]
5. Consider your approach to reading Scripture. Are there preconceived notions or biases that you need to set aside to allow God to teach you? How can you practice humility in your study of the Bible? [29:12]
6. In what ways can you actively reflect Christ's love and humility in your interactions with others this week, especially in challenging situations? [10:24]
7. How can the gospel's reminder that all we have is a gift from God help you combat pride in your life? What specific changes can you make to live more humbly? [39:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Diversity for True Harmony
True harmony is not about uniformity but about embracing our differences to enrich one another. In Romans 12:16, Christians are called to live in harmony with one another, a concept beautifully illustrated by the metaphor of musical harmony. Just as different notes come together to create a richer sound, so too should individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to form a more beautiful and unified community. This call to harmony is especially urgent in today's polarized world, where division and conflict are prevalent. The church is to be a place where harmony is visibly lived out, offering a counter-narrative to the discord around us. By embracing our differences, we reflect the nature of God and provide a powerful witness to a divided world. [01:29]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is different from you. How can you intentionally reach out to them this week to learn from their perspective and build a more harmonious relationship?
Day 2: The Barrier of Pride
Pride, whether through arrogance or independence, is a significant barrier to harmony. It blinds us to our need for others and for God, leading to discord and division. Arrogance causes us to see ourselves as superior, while independence makes us dismissive of the wisdom and contributions of others. Both forms of pride prevent us from living in harmony with one another. The antidote to pride is humility, which opens us to learning from God and others. By recognizing our limitations and the value of others, we can overcome the barriers that pride creates and move towards a more harmonious existence. [05:43]
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a recent situation where pride may have hindered your relationship with someone. How can you approach this person with humility and seek reconciliation?
Day 3: Humility in Disagreement
Engaging in disagreements with humility and compassion allows us to reflect Christ's love and avoid the spiritual dangers of pride. John Newton's advice to pray for those we disagree with and to engage with compassion rather than anger is a powerful reminder of how we are to conduct ourselves. In our interactions, especially in disagreements, we must remember that our goal is not to win arguments but to reflect Christ's love and humility. By laying aside our pride and recognizing that all we have is a gift from God, we can live in harmony and reflect the beauty and unity of Christ to a world in desperate need of hope. [10:24]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement you had. How can you approach future disagreements with a mindset of humility and compassion, seeking to understand rather than to be understood?
Day 4: Learning from Thomas Oden
Thomas Oden's journey from pride to humility shows the importance of approaching Scripture with an open heart, allowing God to teach us rather than filtering His word through our own biases. Initially, Oden approached the Bible with a filter, accepting only what aligned with his preconceived notions. It was only when he humbled himself and sought to be faithful to Scripture, rather than seeking novelty, that he found true fulfillment. This transformation underscores the importance of approaching Scripture with humility, allowing God to teach and transform us. [29:12]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your approach to Scripture. Are there areas where you might be filtering God's word through your own biases? How can you open your heart to allow God to teach and transform you?
Day 5: The Gospel's Call to Humility
The gospel destroys pride by reminding us that all we have is a gift from God. This humility enables us to live in harmony, reflecting the unity and love of Christ. In our interactions, we must remember that our goal is not to win arguments but to reflect Christ's love and humility. By laying aside our pride and recognizing that all we have is a gift from God, we can live in harmony and reflect the beauty and unity of Christ to a world in desperate need of hope. The gospel calls us to lay aside our pride, recognizing that all we have is a gift from God. [39:04]
"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider the gifts and talents you have. How can you use them to serve others and reflect the humility and love of Christ in your daily life?
Quotes
Live in harmony with one another, do not be haughty but associate with the lowly, never be wise in your own sight. Now there could hardly be, I think, a simpler verse of scripture. Live with heart in harmony with one another. Harmony is all musicians know a pleasing arrangement of different parts. [00:29:26]
Harmony is not unison. We know that you don't get harmony by everybody playing the same note. You get harmony when different notes are brought together. So harmony doesn't mean that everyone thinks the same or everyone does the same or everyone is the same. Harmony is not unison. [00:74:10]
Live in such a way that you enrich and complement each other. Let it be that you're being joined together makes you more than any of you could be on your own, and there is a display of beauty that happens by taking what is distinct and different and making it one. [00:104:57]
The world desperately, desperately in this polarized and divided world in which we live, desperately needs to see something different. And God says now this is your calling. Let it be seen in my church. Let there be a place on the face of the world where people actually do live in harmony with one another. [00:233:06]
Pride is the original sin. It is in Scripture the sin from which all other sins flow. It is the root. That is why in Proverbs chapter 6 and verse 16 we are told that there are six things that God hates, seven that are an abomination to him. And what's number one? [00:369:19]
Social media has become a platform in which not only are our opinions broadcast but also all too often our pride is exposed. And if it's hidden because it's behind a screen name, we must remember every time we write something that it is never hidden from God. [00:530:02]
What will it profit a man if he gains his cause, silences and silences his adversary if at the same time he loses the humble, tender frame of spirit in which the Lord delights and to which the promise of his presence is made? [00:755:14]
The proud person then is the person who thinks in his heart or in her heart, I have all that I need in myself. I make my own decisions. I run my own life. I am a Christian, so why do I need to be a member of the church? [01:034:91]
If you are wise in your own eyes, you will evaluate the Bible in the light of your own wisdom. That's what you do. Wise in your own eyes, you will evaluate the Bible in the light of your own wisdom. And what that means is that you will take what fits with what you already believe. [01:229:67]
If you will open the Scriptures with a humble heart, God will teach you. Jesus said this, and it's wonderful. It is written in the prophets, and they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. [02:109:43]
The gospel in its very nature cuts pride to shreds because it costs all of us on the mercy of God. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and we are justified by His grace as a gift. And how did the gift come? [02:263:81]
Everything that is in my life, every good gift that has come from above, has come from the gracious and kind hand of the Lord. That's why the gospel moved Saul of Tarsus from thinking he was the cream of the crop to confessing that he was the chief of sinners. [02:290:65]
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