When your life is in alignment, people notice. All around us we can see people in various stages of alignment. The problem is they are often unaware. Until other men see what a godly lifestyle looks like how will they ever know that they need to change? You may not believe it, but people are watching you. Your friends are watching, your family is watching and if you are a dad, most importantly your kids are watching so we have to get this right. The book of Romans is such a great alignment tool. We have learned so much about living this life in alignment with the scriptures. We will wrap it up in this 12th lesson as Paul gives some great advice about relating to others.

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5)

Aligned Relationships…

Are Not Critical (Romans 14)

Some people look at the body of Crist as a health club, a bunch of healthy people. Really the body of Christ needs to look more like a hospital where the sick are welcomed and come to be healed. There is no time for flexing our spirituality pedigrees and knowledge when there are people who don’t even have the strength to lift a glass of water to their lips. Our enemy, Satan is the one who comes to divide. Paul tells believers to not be critical of others because of their convictions. Remember everyone will give a personal account to God so just decide not to live in a way that causes another believer to stumble (vs. 12-14).

Are Kingdom Minded

There are so many things that can divide the body of Christ. In chapter 14 Paul is addressing the different convictions held about types of food, which day to celebrate the sabbath and so on. Christians can become so focused on what other believers are doing that they can forget about the lost world around them. Paul goes on to say that the Kingdom is not about what a person eats or drinks but it is righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.

• Righteousness – Give man and God what they are due. Every man is due honor, not just for the good that they may do but even before that is the honor due to one who is created in the image of God. Every person should be honored.
• Peace – We have a responsibility to live in peace with our fellow man “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:12-14)
• Joy – Christian joy does not come from making ourselves happy, is not selfish, but comes from making others happy.

Alignment Question: How about your office? Your workplace? Are they places where people are honored or is it a place of dishonor? How would you describe the culture? What would it take to change the culture? Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest impact. What are some things you can begin to do?

Are Ready to Encourage

You will not need to look long to find someone who is in need of encouragement. It is our responsibility to help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. The scriptures were written to teach us and give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Use scripture whenever possible to guide, teach and encourage one another in the faith.

Alignment Question: Can you remember a time when someone encouraged you at a point when you really needed it? Can you share the experience with the group?

Commend

The apostle Paul closes out his letter to the Romans commending those on his team who were living their lives in alignment with the purpose of God. They were commended for being servants of the church, helpers of many, fellow workers, fellow prisoners who worked hard and risked their lives!

I pray that as we each stand before the Lord we will hear Him say. “Well done my good and faithful servant…” Continue on Men! And live your life in alignment.

Leader: Be sure to take time to find out if your group members have attended Next Steps, been water baptized and attended a Freedom Weekend. Be sure to encourage them to not miss a step in their spiritual growth process.