When we talk about loving others and accepting others, many times people think that means we agree on everything. If we accept them then we give up all our personal views and convictions and do whatever it takes to get along and live in harmony.
The truth is, that is not what is meant at all. We all know we are not going to get people to agree on everything. We are not going to get people to accept the differences among us, yet we know we can accept people even in the differences.
When we love, accept and respect people the way they are we will not always agree or condone their actions, yet we can treat each other with compassion and kindness.
It seems that many christian people forget that no matter what label we put on others, there is a human being behind that label who was created by God.
Rather than condemning or judging others based on our interpretation of the bible or based on our doctrines or personal morals, we should remember that we are all God’s creation and accept one another for that reason.
When we say love and accept one another we understand that none of us are going to completely agree and live happily ever after. There will be many times we do not agree with the other person’s opinion or way of doing things. There are times we may not even like what the other person is doing, yet we can love them with a godly love that comes from the Spirit within.
Just because we do not agree or see things the same way, we can still accept and respect the other person. We will never live in a world where we all agree and give up our personal convictions just to get along. Yet with the power of the Spirit within us we can accept, respect and be kind to everyone realizing we are all fellow human beings wanting to live a good and happy life.
When we read about the life of Jesus we see him loving all kinds of people, treating them with respect and compassion. If we claim to be his followers, should we not do the same? Christ loved people who most religious people of the day did not want to be around. The only people he actually had problems with were the religious leaders who thought they were so much better than everyone else. Unfortunately we still see this among people today.
Christian people seem to pick out gay people to be the worst sinners around and we make atheists our enemy rather than a fellow human being. Many whites and blacks cannot get along nor can people of different religions. We have women who hate men and men who want to demean and dominate women. We seem to divide ourselves up based on the label we apply rather than seeing another human being who many times wants the same things in life we all do.
When it comes to pointing out sin, I do not believe it is our job to do so. Sin is sin and God will convict people if there is sin to be dealt with through the Holy Spirit, not us. We are called to love God, which means we will live for Him and let Him work in us. We are also called to love one another, which means we pass on the unconditional love of God to all we meet along the way.
Rather than fighting, arguing and trying to prove our way of thinking we should follow the leading of the Spirit within for ourselves and let the other person be responsible for living their own life.
I would offer a counterpoint in which Paul reprimanded Peter “in front of them all” in Galatians 2. Sometimes pointing out sin is necessary, especially if others are being hurt. Paul was actually pretty unshackled when it came to that.
I would add, however, that if we do feel something needs to be said, it should be done by the Holy Spirit’s guidance and timing. 90% of the time, I’ve found, God will indeed prick consciences on his own, especially if you’re praying for the person.
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So true Adam. We do all in love and by the guidance of the Spirit. Thanks for your comment.
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I fully agree with this and pretty much live by this belief!!! Once again, you, speak my mind!
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Thank you.
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We are so quick to measure other people’s sins, yet justify our own. Such a huge problem today. Loved this message
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Thank you. So true, we can look right past our sins and focus on the sins of others. Thanks for the comment.
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“We are not going to get people to accept the differences among us, yet we know we can accept people even in the differences.” – I love this statement and well said. You shared from the heart and that speaks volumes!
Thank you! God Bless 🙂
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Thank you. I appreciate your kind remarks.
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Always such a beautiful, gentle, loving and wise blog. Thank you!
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Thank you jem. As always, you make such kind comments.
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