“None of us knows exhaustively; we only know in part this side of Jesus’ return“ (pp 1Cor.13:9)
“The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (Gal. 5:14-15)
Heavenly Father, there are many reasons I’m looking forward to life in the new heaven and new earth. And though it’s not at the top of my list, no longer “knowing in part” and loving in part are way up there. Robust dialogue is one thing; mean-spirited diatribe is quite another. You have clearly told us that “servants of Jesus mustn’t quarrel but must be kind to everyone, able to teach and be patient with difficult people—gentle in spirit, knowing only God can give a change of heart” (2Tim.2:24-25).
Oh, for the Day when we will no longer label, dismiss, or marginalize one another—only because we don’t cross every theological “t” and dot every political “i” the same way, or even agree on the best translation of the Bible. Oh, for the Day when we enjoy both perfect hearing and perfect listening.
Father, have mercy on me. Please forgive me for entering any conversation with more “rightness” than kindness. Forgive me for loving my theological tribe in clannish, club-like, cliquey ways. Forgive me for ever thinking to myself, “I get the Gospel better than they do.”
Forgive me for using Biblical knowledge to put up walls rather than build bridges. Teach me and my friends more about Jesus and the Gospel through those who are quite different from us. Forgive us and free us to live and love to your glory all the way Home. So Very Amen.