“We must understand how to separate our “who” from our “do.” What we do does not gain us God’s affection. Who we are by virtue of His unconditional love constrains us through the power of our gratitude to obey Him.”
—Bryan Chapel
May 24, 2024
There are many things in life about which we can have significant disagreements: Apple or Android, Mac or PC, which Star Wars is the best, who does this dishes, when do the dishes get done, should we save this money or spend it, and the list goes on and on. Some of those disagreements have greater and lesser degrees of potential consequence. It might not be that significant in a family’s life to disagree about who does the dishes. It might be slightly more significant as to come to a conclusion about whether money gets spent or saved. But when there are bigger disagreements in which greater consequences might occur, then the stakes are much higher. But despite our potential to disagree and even disagree strongly, we ought to never dehumanize another person. They might be wrong, but they’re still a person.
The Bible does not paint a rosy, conflict free vision of human existence. In fact, the Bible assumes a great deal of conflict between fallen people–even fallen, yet redeemed people. But as redeemed people, as disciples of Jesus, we have the very power and presence of our God the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. And one of the fruits of this gospel-powered spiritual nature is a radically gracious forbearance. We can have peace, we can be patient, we can exhibit self-control, even in the face of those with whom we might disagree. Even if we come to a different conclusion, or maintain a different form of reasoning, we still all possess the imago dei, the image of God. And because we all possess this imago dei we are all worth of dignity and respect. Despite radical disagreement, we have the Spirit empowered self-control and ability to see the other person as bearing God’s own image.
I’m not for one moment going to downplay how difficult or at times inconvenient that is. It can be much easier to dismiss ideas that we find foolish or reprehensible of those who possess them were some how lesser than us as people. But we are called to be obedient to God’s moral law, which is summarized in the 10 Commandants. And look at how the Westminster Divines describe the duties of the 9th commandment (thou shalt not lie) in the answer to question 144:
The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.
Brothers and sisters, our neighbors are those with whom we come into contact, not just Christians, and not those who agree with us in all things. This means that as followers of Jesus we should have eyes to see another person as bearing the imago dei no matter how much we disagree with them. No matter their position, they still possess the image of God and are worthy of our honor and respect. This does not mean we should at any point lessen or change or water down our convictions in the slightest. We have an obligation to speak the truth in love. But what it does mean is that we should know that we possess the freedom and power to love as Christ did. To disagree strongly, recognize their humanity, and to ultimately speak the truth in love.
But at no point are we permitted to dehumanize those who bear the same image of God. We should plead, we should reason, we should implore, we should always stand on the truth–but we should never resort to ripping away the humanity and dignity of another soul bearing the image of God, no matter how wrong or reprehensible their position might be. This is exceedingly difficult to do at times, especially when the consequences are life and death (like in the case of abortion), but if we understand the depths of God’s love for us while we were still sinners and enemies of God, and how patient and kind and forbearing our God was towards us, we should be encouraged to have to same posture towards those around us.
Disagree, argue, persuade, convince, engage, but please for the sake of the love that God showed us in Christ, do not dehumanize another image bearer.
I’ll leave you with the instruction of the apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 5:
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised….Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 20–21.
See y’all Sunday,
John D
Announcements
—Church Picnic on Sunday Evening
This Sunday evening at 4:00pm we are having a church picnic at Camp Muffy Park, pavilion number 5. The church is providing hotdogs, bun, plasticware, and drinks. If you plan to attend please bring a side to share. Please contact Mary Felton (540-514-0017) if you have any questions.
— CANCELLED Mercy Camping Trip
Due to some unforeseen and difficult life circumstances for members of Mercy we are cancelling the camping trip. We’ll figure out another camping trip at a later date.
—Songs for Sunday
Here’s what we’re singing this Sunday if you’d like to familiarize yourself with tunes + lyrics!
In Tenderness
Praise To The Lord
Be Thou My Vision
Abide With Me
Psalm 3 (Sing Psalms, to the tune of Before The Throne Of God Above)
Interesting Links
These are some links that I have read recently that I enjoyed, found helpful, made me think, or otherwise did good for my soul/heart/mind.
How Pop Nietzscheanism Masquerades As Christianity
Why We Need Critical Theory
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