Differences
In Blog, Uncategorized 18 commentsMar 14
I ran into someone the other day who doesn’t like me very much.
He’s a believer. So am I. But we have had our differences.
I reached for a hug from him before he could resist. I could tell it made him uncomfortable. But I truly felt love for him, my spiritual brother, and suddenly our differences seemed silly.
Certainly, in the community of Jesus, they shouldn’t keep us from our love.
“…Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.” {Ephesians 4:2b-6}
We are all human, and we all wear flesh. We preach love, community and acceptance, but they much easier to read off of a piece of paper than they are for us to attach to real life issues that happen between imperfect people…especially when we are the one who feels wronged.
If we’re honest we’ll admit that sometimes we hurt each other and we don’t know what to do next. Sometimes it’s just easier for us to throw each other away then to do the work it takes to mend fences and choose to love. Sometimes we act like we don’t care so we don’t have to mess with the breach between us. Sometimes we think that if we do it will compromise our but I am right! conviction.
But the truth is: most of the time it is far less than what we make it become. Most of the time, we just wear different lenses. Our view is the one we think is right because it is all we are able to see.
Often, it’s far less about our decision to forgive one another’s wrong than it is to show grace where we view things differently.
I wonder what would happen if we would understand this. I wonder what would happen if we would simply say to each other…
We just see things differently. We don’t necessarily agree. But we will let our love make those things far less important than our flesh wants them to be.
How beautifully we would represent Christianity. How healthy we would be to choose not to let those different viewpoints distinguish our love. It is the desire of the one who created us different to begin with.
God, help us all…to see beyond what we see. Sometimes our lenses hinder us.
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Recently was in a church were disgruntles and dislikes were worn to openly and grace did not abound. So unhealthy. I so agree we need to practice grace more.
Good words here!
Believing Him~Pamela
Thanks, Pamela. I hear you and agree. God, give us grace to live it out!
I think the ability to walk in and practice love in spite of and in the midst of blatant differences is what sets Christianity apart, or at least should set it apart, from other “religious practices”. In fact, since we don’t view Christianity as a “religion” but as a “relationship”, it is Love that makes it such. I don’t think it is a requirement for me or any believer to “like” every person who claims faith in Christ, but my dislike should never interfere with my ability to show the love of Christ to that person. I’ve learned that sometimes the best way to “show love” is from a distance, lol! Is that bad? I mean, did Jesus “like” the Pharisees when he overthrew the moneychanger tables or called them a brood of vipers? Hmmm… If He were to do that today would we accuse Him of lacking grace or not “walking in love”? It is definitely a fine line, isn’t it?
Definitely something to think, pray, and ponder on!!!! Thank you for yet another thought provoking post!
I like your thoughts, here, Kimberly. And you are right, I do think it’s a fine line. I’ve noticed…(and what really provoked this post) that we argue about so many petty things as believers, simply because we view things differently and think we are right. When really, two people who love God can see things from a very different perspective. We could both probably throw out Scripture to back up our point. But at the end of the day, our differences don’t have to sever our union. Sometimes we just need to disagree to disagree and move on — not just physically, but in our hearts, as well. (That’s much harder, I believe.) Certainly, I am a huge proponent of healthy boundaries and discernment in relationships. But I wonder if we use those things as an excuse sometimes simply because we’ve chosen not to deal with someone we disagree with. In my view, it’s not about liking or disliking someone. It’s about differences in our viewpoints and opinions, colored by so much of our experiences and upbringing and past. I am so grateful this post sparked some thoughts. It is always my intention to inspire people to think. Blessings to you!
Really good word for the Body of Christ, Lisa. The more we practice this concept, the more the world might think this whole Jesus thing is real.
kim
Ummm…yes, Kim. You’re right. I like that message. Thank you for sharing!
Lisa this is so true and I believe if we’re honest a place we have each been. But this morning your words about differences have me thinking about the topic in another way. For years differences, or at least my perception of them, kept me from connecting with others. I believe I missed out on some great relationships and opportunities, but in time God has shown me that thinking and the comparison game is so wrong. Anyway your post brought some good thoughts/memories to mind and I shared a bit more on my blog. I love how your thoughts are always to the point, but still stimulate some deep thinking! Blessings, Jill
http://titus24u.blogspot.com/2011/03/different-yet-same.html
Thank you so much, Jill, for sharing this and for telling me how this blog effects you. That is so valuable to me! I agree with you…will head over and visit your blog today!
Yes! Kim has a good point! Jesus said that is by our love for one another that the world would know we were His disciples…and yet I don’t know if the world really knows we are His disciples because of our profound lack of love. Not only do we not love one another, but we don’t show love to unbelievers either. But I also think there is a misunderstanding of what godly love really is. For example, we try so hard not to offend or be offensive or tell people they are wrong (even if it is true) for fear of hurting them or turning them off from the Gospel…I don’t think that is the kind of love God was talking about. I know I have yet to figure it all out, lol!
Lord have mercy on us all! And teach us what Love is!
Yes…amen.
Good stuff Lisa,
The older I get, the less tolerant I am of the infighting among Christians. If the core of what we believe is the same, then the side-issues and ceremonies are really irrelevant. True Christians are all in the same model car, but we crash into each other and argue with each other because our paint is different.
I hear you…so agree, Brian. Love your thoughts here. So glad to know you…and to share our love for Jesus.
Lisa – so well written. Great way to challenge us to put scripture into practice. Reflects a purified heart. Beautiful.
Thank you, Deb. Love you!
Excellent post…one I will be referring to many times over (printed it off), and sharing often too.
You nailed this topic, Lisa…thank you.
Thanks, Marni.
Lisa, thank you for this powerful word. I’ll be reading it over and over. It truly touches a tender place that needs healing. This pitiful, trying to be brave girl needs to take a step. Thank you!
Deb, I so hear you. Thank you for being honest. It’s difficult sometimes…but we are all on this journey together and all need grace. Thank you for coming here and leaving this comment!