in spite.

There is certainly a need to be vigilant in upholding the gospel and to be wary of those who teach things that seem contrary to the gospel as we are warned of throughout the New Testament.  But there is also a very real concern in how we choose to respond to leaders or others we disagree with.

I’m not one to ever say I’ve done this perfectly, and I never will. I don’t think anyone can claim that. But we are called to love others first and foremost.

It is so discouraging and disheartening when there is disregard for another. Whether a person is believed to be with Christ or against Christ – we are still called to love them.

If they are a believer, we are called to directly confront any concern in truth and grace, knowing they belong to Christ – even with all his flaws and failures: past, current, and future, as we are.

If they are an unbeliever, we are still called to love and point them to Christ, and I would say with even more emphasis, to pray for their salvation and know the Lord loves them as unquestionably as He loves us and so desires to have a personal relationship with them.

The Lord will use each of us – even in spite of ourselves – to accomplish His plan and purpose and glorify His name. This is something I try to remind myself of constantly when I don’t agree with someone. He will use believers and unbelievers. It’s amazing to me how much bigger of a picture He sees. The things we never see or realize their significance until long after they happen, and He is sovereign over all of it. It is so supernaturally incredible!

I don’t believe Jesus would take actions to mock or ridicule anyone. That goes against His very nature. We have a clear example in scripture as He interacts with so many people, among them: sinners, tax collectors, adulterers, and on the other end of the pendulum, the Pharisee and Sadducee religious leaders.

Among many other teaching moments with the Pharisees & Sadducees, Jesus certainly had moments of calling out the religious leaders.  But he didn’t call them out to mock them and sentence them to eternal damnation; he called them out to warn them of the error of their ways and teachings. His love didn’t stop just short of them. His love is unrestricted and immeasurable. I believe he displayed that love by choosing to respond and answer them directly to each and every question they posed – even if it was a test.

 It truly grieves me when we allow contention and judgement to rule in our hearts and minds, over having the mind of Christ and a heart that reflects his love and grace.

I pray we allow the Holy Spirit to rule our hearts and minds so we have fully put on the mind of Christ and the armor of God so we can be the best reflection of His love, grace, and redemption for all who desire to call on Him name and be saved!