"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19
They were having lots of problems between Believers in this church.
Edification: an act of edifying; moral improvement; to instruct or benefit, especiall morally, spiritually, Uplift.
Encouragement: process of uplifting people. We need to encourage each other.
Be patient and gentle with those who aren't there yet.
En=Add Encourage = add courage to someone. People often discourage others. If they are living without God they will lah out. Jesus does everything to build us up.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5;11
Keep doing it. Growing needs encouragement. We need to encourage each other.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
It is a gift to be free from anxiety. This is only possible through Christ.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9
The church was praying when Saul was hunting them. And God transformed Sault to become Paul. Lift up those who hurt us.
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The world's weapons are to attack. The world loves the carwrecks of other people's lives. This isn't God's way! It shouldn't be our way. Our human nature wants to do things the world's ways.
"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Romans 14:10-12
Stop comparing outselves. No gossip. No backbiting.
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19