Respond to Disagreements in Love

A big part of my journey in the past few years has been a growing distaste for things that cause dis-unity in Christ's Church. However disagreements are very common in every human relationship, they are going to happen. How can we respond in love and respect despite different points of views?

I'm finding myself struggling with this lately. I am recognizing how strongly I disagree with those who publicly create divisions with others in Christ's Church. So how should I respond? Do I respond to those who are causing divisions with further hostility? How can I maintain unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ who do not share my perspective on what is essential to the faith?

Love (1 Cor 13:1-13 NIV)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Lately I have been quick to recognize Christ followers who are not displaying these characteristics of love as they relate to other Christ followers.

It is critical that I respond to everyone with love, even those I disagree strongly with.

John 13:34 (NIV)

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

If we leave out love in our response to disagreements, others will not recognize that we are Christ's disciples.

I pray that I can demonstrate love in all situations as I work through this journey.

Fire Insurance Sales Agents

photo by kool_skatkat

Is Christianity like buying and selling fire insurance?

Is it about believing certain truths about Jesus to insure we spend our eternity in Heaven instead of Hell? Then making sure other people believe the same things so they also can be guaranteed to spend eternity in Heaven and be spared Hell.

Do we do good deeds so others will believe like we do? Do we strive to live good lives to be a good witness, with the hopes that others will believe like we do?

Is the main task getting this fire insurance policy into everyone hands? I don't think so, otherwise the greatest commandment would have been.

NOT Matt 22:37-39

'Love your beliefs with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Teach your neighbor your beliefs'.

Is there more to Jesus Message? Is it just about eternity? Or is it about living now?

Loving Jesus...

Loving others...

Enjoying God and His creation...

Becoming people of love, joy, justice, peace, mercy...

Starting now, and into eternity.


Luke 6:27-38 (NIV)

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

The Liturgical Gangstas

Some great stuff going on at internetmonk.com.

A question is posed, and responses are given by “The Liturgical Gangstas” (An Eastern Orthodox priest, an Anglican priest, a First Baptist pastor, a Roman Catholic, a United Methodist pastor, and a Lutheran pastor).

So far there's been 6 topics discussed. There is much to be learned from each other.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/category/liturgical-gangstas

Good work!

Responsibility of the Wealthy

(Cartoon from www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au)

I'm still pondering what the deal was with Jesus saying He came to preach good news to the poor. And I'm still wondering what my response should be as one who has been blessed.

Jesus gave some hard teaching regarding wealth. Some verses are extremely difficult to follow, I'll get to those in future posts.

But first I want to look at some verses that seem easier to follow, yet I'm afraid I'm still not living these well either.

2 Corinthians 9:10-12

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." (NIV)

1 Timothy 6:17-18

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."(NIV)

This should be a starting point for all Christ followers who have been blessed (who have more than enough food in their homes). We should not put our hope in wealth, but in God. We should be rich in good deeds, and generous in every occasion and willing to share.

I'm not living here yet... I find security in budgeting and financial planning. I need to find a way to blend my habits of budgeting and being a responsible steward of what God has blessed us with, yet allow spontaneous giving to alter my financial plans to line up with God's plans for my finances.

Burned out on Religion?

^{Matt 11:28-30}

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

With Love, Jesus

(The Message)

Good News to the Poor

Luke 4:16-20

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (NIV)

Matthew 11:4-6

"Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." (NIV)

Huh? What about the rich? Didn't Jesus come to give good news to the rich too?

In North American standards I'm not rich... but ...

• I own a car that puts me in the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
• I own a computer and only 1% of the world does.
• I have lots of good food in my house... too much actually
  

Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds. http://www.bread.org/learn/hunger-basics/hunger-facts-international.html

What is this good news to the poor that Jesus came preaching?

Am I as a follower of Christ bringing this message to the poor of our world today?

So yes, I'm a bit confused and am praying for better understanding on this.

Was Jesus' good news to the poor the message of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-55)? Is this message of the kingdom of God a message that will see the debts of the poor forgiven?

Is the good news to the poor: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." ... "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. " (Luke 6:20-26)

I don't understand what this really means.

God how am I to respond, as one who has been blessed? What is my responsibility?

I want to also share this good news to the poor. But I'm not sure what my part is. Do I need to sell all that I have and give it to the poor? Would God ask me to remove all the comforts my wife, kids and I share? Would this be responsible? Or is there some way I can use the money and resources I have to bring Christ's message of redemption (physical and spiritual) to the poor?

I pray for wisdom and understanding on this.

(Edit March 7th, 2009)
This may makes a bit more sense to me now... If the good news is: "The reign of God is here - change your life, believe this message". It would make some sense that the poor would be eager to hear this good news message. They may not have hope in being part of a human kingdom, but they could be part of this kingdom of God.

But it still troubles me that Jesus didn't say he was giving this message to everyone - rich and poor.