Beneath The Cross of Jesus
Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32 (NCV)
We had a difficult meeting last night with some folks who love Jesus but struggle with certain aspects of biblical interpretation.
Here’s what I appreciate and respect about them:
1. They love Jesus.
2. They came to talk about their issues face to face.
3. They want to honor God in the assembly of the saints.
I don’t agree with their method of interpretation or application.
I do believe God loves them as much as he loves me and expects us to treat each other with kindness and compassion, mercy and grace, acceptance and forgiveness.
I also believe God expects us to assume and expect the very best intentions.
There was a time in my life when it was important to win the argument. I was an arrogant, self-righteous idiot.
Now it is of utmost importance to me for the relationship to win. I know it may not be possible.
Well meaning people who love Jesus have and will continue to disagree on many things.
It’s not about being right or wrong. It’s about loving, listening and learning.
This is what life, together, looks like beneath the cross of Jesus.
10 Responses to “Beneath The Cross of Jesus”
I’ve run across folks who lifted up “#3″ like a banner but forgot about Numbers 1 and 2. In fact, if we’re “looking” for Jesus, we need go no further than the Godly conflict resolution that you and the good folks you mentioned practiced last night.
Matthew 18 -
18:15 “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
18:16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
18:17 “And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer.
18:18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
18:19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.”
You know what? This blog world of which I’ve been a part for two years has done more to propel me into the same thinking you talk about in wanting the relationship to win than absolutely ANYTHING else I’ve encountered. The relationship with each other and, most importantly, the one we all have with the Lord. And the idea that God loves “them” as much as He loves me, and vice versa. One of the kids I refer to as mine who “left” the church several years ago made that same plea statement of understanding to me…..and to her mother…..back when we were both broken-hearted that she had chosen the course she chose. Very recently, both of us had a conversation with that same child and told her that our thinking had changed and we were proud of her. You wouldn’t believe the depth of emotion floating in that room! And I told her that MY particular frame of mind had changed a whole lot as a result of all of you guys/gals whose blogs I read and with whom I’ve developed relationships. Thank you.
What a fantastic attitude! I have sit where you now sit and maybe even with the same people. I’m sorry to say my attitude was not as Christian as yours. I wanted to boot their ignorant butts across the state line. I now realize how wrong I was. I have had many years to pray about it and hopefully I have changed my sorry thinking. I now just want to boot their butts into the next county.
I feel for you bro. I spent a great deal of my first few years here struggling with people and issues like you are describing. I am so thankful for godly elders who held fast to the Jesus’ model in the midst of those struggles and who did not allow any person to have his or her say in the midst of Christ’s one body.
We are certainly a mix of attitudes, thoughts, and interpretations.
I pray that God will bless you as you have matured and are leading this church.
Peace.
I should have said, “have his or her way.” The elders did an excellent job of allowing most every person to have his or her way without allowing any one or more individuals to rule the roost.
Peace.
Correction #3 and I assure you that I have had no eggnog!
I should have said, “have his or her way.†The elders did an excellent job of allowing most every person to have his or her “say” without allowing any one or more individuals to rule the roost.
Peace.
I’ve known you for a while now and heard you say some smart things. But that is the wisest thing I’ve ever heard you say. It is a hard lesson to remember no matter how many times learned and I still act at times like an arrogant, self-righteous idiot, but you are right on.
Now, if we could just correct this whole eating mexical food for breakfast thing you do, we’d really have something.
Hey, by the way, I think we’re going to be in your neck of the woods right after Christmas. You guys going to be around?
I’m in whole-hearted agreement with stumpie. Well, I really could not care less about the Mexican food dilemna. Your message is right on. It is TRUTH.
A phrase I learned a few years back resonates often in my ears: “We judge others by their actions. We judge ourselves by our intentions.” Having an ugly heart towards those with whom we disagree is a disgraceful insult to our Creator. LOVE - that’s what we are called to.
I’m proud of you, brother! I was once an arrogant, self-righteous idiot. I’m no longer arrogant or self-righteous!
If Josh is right does this mean McDonald’s should give up their “breakfast burrito?â€
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