HANDLING DISAGREEMENTS WITH GRACE

HANDLING DISAGREEMENTS WITH GRACE

It’s rather painful to witness public disagreements between natural or spiritual relatives.  After all, no one can or should lay claim to perfection.  Considering our own clay feet, we should try our best to see one another as GOD sees us – through the eyes of love, grace, compassion and forgiveness.

For example, during the mid-1700s, two historically prominent ministers, George Whitefield and John Wesley, held divergent views on certain theological issues.  However, both of those Godly men were sufficiently wise and prudent to avoid airing their differences in the public square.  They believed any such occurrence would hinder the preaching of the gospel.  Later, when someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in Heaven, he replied, “I fear not, for he will be so close to the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly gain sight of him.”  That’s a very powerful picture of grace exercised during occasions of disagreement.

Just because others might disagree with our viewpoint, it does not automatically mean that they are enemies.  As the Apostle Paul wisely admonished the Christian community, “Let love be without dissimulation.”  He simply meant that there should be no hypocrisy, deception, or malice in our relationships or in our words.  FYI, for some that might necessitate a radical departure from social media or at least a substantial change in their postings.  

Question: What if GOD dealt with people in the same manner that so many of us deal with so-called enemies?  Answer: We’re so thankful He doesn’t!  Let’s forgive others and we shall surely be forgiven. (Matthew 6:12)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!