“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT)
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians3:12 BSB)
“So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity – with one heart, one passion, and united in love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with abounding joy. Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:2-3 TPT)
I just was given the privilege to listen to the viewpoint of a friend who sees things very differently than I do (even in the eternal arena). Daddy impressed me that I needed to share my comment for others who differ. You know who you are.
“Thank you from my heart for this well thought out and open, honest, response. I will leave it to the Holy Spirit (where it belongs) to enlighten you and me in areas in which we see things differently.
Because of my current understanding of what we who speak “christianese” call the “Great Commission” I am compelled to share what I believe to be true of the “Gospel” (more christianese). However it is not my responsibility to “convert” or “convince” anyone (that is above my pay grade). It is never my job to judge another person’s salvation or play God with their eternal destiny. If I “judge” it is to be a loving evaluation of what appears to bring harm into another person’s life in order to assist them in receiving freedom, health, wholeness, and deliverance from “bondage.” Even then, I need to prayerfully consider the “plank in my own eye” and make sure that my motive is purely love and goodness.
I am simply required to share what I believe to be “truth” and remain humble enough to admit when I am wrong, seek to be a peacemaker (even when like Jesus, who said that in some areas he did not come to bring peace, I share some things that will divide). The cross will be an offense to many, but that is no excuse for me to be offensive.
I am in complete agreement that following Jesus is not the only way to be a good, kind person. With the way that many “christians” speak and act in these turbulent times, I would say we can learn much of how to treat those around us from those who do not follow Jesus. Sadly, I have at times fallen very short here.
I find it just plain hard work to hold as narrow of a spiritual viewpoint as I do and not get sucked into ways of speaking and acting that are heartbreaking (and even upsetting) to the One that I follow in how I relate to those who differ.
Compassion first and most without compromise.
Considering your viewpoint will ultimately help me be a better person.”
Differing friends,
After reading the above comment, please feel free to help me “practice what I preach” in speaking the truth in love.
Moment by moment, I need to live…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 328: Calling all “Friends who Differ”