“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus has.”
Romans 15:5

In Romans 15:5 St. Paul prays for the mind and attitude of Christ to be fulfilled in you and me and all people. Paul prays that in the same way God gives you and me endurance and encouragement, God also gives us the same attitude of mind toward each other as Jesus has towards us all.

Sin separates people. Sin separates people from God. Sin separates people from each other. But Jesus unites. Paul prays that Jesus’ work in us is greater than the work of sin in our lives. This is our hope.

The peace and harmony we enjoy is not in the absence of difficulty, hurt, or disappointment. We sin. Others sin. Satan points this out all day. He stirs our heart, anxiety and anger. But our hope is in Jesus, not in our perfection or the perfection of others. Jesus does not hold our sins against us. 2 Corinthians 5:19 says that “In Christ God reconciled the entire world unto Himself, not counting men’s sins against them, and entrusting to us this ministry of reconciliation.”

Paul’s prayer is fulfilled in you and me. God gives us encouragement and endurance. God also gives us the same attitude of Jesus toward all people. This is the hope that is ours through faith in Jesus: God’s promise is fulfilled. We are at peace. We are in harmony. We count no man’s sins against him.

Dear Jesus, my hope is in you. Thank you for giving me endurance and encouragement. Thank you for giving me peace and harmony with all people through the forgiveness of my sins. In your Holy Name. Amen.

Contributed by Rev. Jeff Sippy