Love Some listen to learn; others listen to critique. The Bible states that love “believes all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7). God was obviously not making room for foolishness or being gullible about things that are not true. That would contradict the rest of Scripture. So what does He mean in that statement? He is describing the heart condition necessary to grow and receive from the various gifts (people) that He has placed in our lives. Some of those people are hard to receive from for a variety of reasons. And sometimes we, not they, are the problem. Occasionally, we cannot hear truth from certain people because their mannerisms are different from what we believe is appropriate. They might be boisterous and loud or quiet and subtle. Either can appear wrong if our background experiences differ from theirs. This is generally more of a cultural issue than a spiritual one, but we do not always know the difference. Fearing error, we build walls of protection, but sometimes protection meant to keep us safe from error makes us a law unto ourselves. Sometimes people speak great truths, but their terminology means something different to them than it does to us. This is called semantics. A word or phrase might mean something positive to them, but be a “trigger word” for us. Those who listen to learn can decipher this confusion, but those who listen to critique have a hay day mocking the “error” of sincere believers. The absence of love in listening keeps them from insight, and, worse yet, they dishonor the servants of the Lord. I am not alone in witnessing the devilish reactions of many people who confess to be followers of Jesus. I do not question their faith. But their religious zeal takes over their character and they slander a person they might actually agree with if they took the time to communicate. If they were in relationship and saw how that particular truth was lived out on a daily basis, they might become friends for life. Being a self-appointed policeman for the Body of Christ is a nauseating task. Love is the answer. Love positions us to succeed. When I am in community with a group of people, love is a priority. Love puts me in a place of listening to understand before making a conclusion. And even if I conclude that I strongly disagree with someone, my love forbids me to reject and mock that one in my zeal for truth. Love truly wins because love believes all things. It looks for the best in an effort to understand. Those who need always to be right become an offence even to the people who agree with them. Love tempers. It softens. It makes diversity more than tolerable. In love, diversity is necessary to give a true expression of the Body of Christ to this world. When we love only those we agree with, we are doing nothing more than any other service club in our community. God expects and requires more. That is why love believes all things. Prayer Heavenly Father, please help me to be a better listener than I am a talker. I really want to understand the heart of the people You have connected me with. And I really need help so that I am not quick to judge and criticize people with whom I differ. Thank You that You have made us different from each other by design. Help me to value this diversity and never oppose what You have made. I want my love for people who differ from me to be the very thing that brings You glory. Confession I am committed to a life of love in the context of community. I am also devoted to a lifestyle that celebrates diversity. In my quest for truth, I will not dishonor persons made in the image of God. Instead, I will listen, eager to learn and eager to understand. I acknowledge that this is the way of love, and I will live this way for the glory of God. Bill Johnson
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 11:11:50 +0000
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