Inseparables

by David Gibson

Some things are meant to go together. Only one sock or one glove is next to useless. One cannot do the work of two.

For good health, we need a balance of work and rest. Good communication involves both speaking and listening.

Not either/or

This is also true in the spiritual realm. We must believe in Jesus as both Son of God (divine) and Son of Man (human). We must have Him as both our Savior and our Lord—not Savior only (Luke 6:46).

Faith is dead without works (James 2:14-26). Hearing God’s word must be accompanied by obedience (James 1:21-25). Loveless giving is of no profit (I Corinthians 13:3).

The first commandment (Love God) cannot work without the second (Love your neighbor as yourself). Forgiveness from God cannot be separated from our willingness to forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35). And truth needs tact to be persuasive (Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:15; II Timothy 2:24-26).

But both/and

“This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27 NASB).

What if we’re strong on benevolence but loose in morals? Or what if we are paragons of virtue but help no one? It is not either-or, but both-and.
While the pairs above are not a comprehensive list, they may help us identify areas where we need to place more emphasis in our lives.

The key is balance.