“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); “We know in part…” (1 Cor. 13:9)
Lord Jesus, there are so many reasons I’m looking forward to life in the new heaven and new earth. Seeing you and being made like you is at the top of the list. Second to that comes the enjoyment of perfect relationships, with everyone, everywhere, forever.
Your impossible-to-count, from-every-nation Bride will be identical in our Christlikeness, but forever diverse in our national, cultural, ethnic uniqueness. None of us will be erased, replaced, or canceled. We will be wonderfully glorified. I. Can. Hardly. Wait.
There will be no more “knowing in part” or loving in part. Made perfect in love, we will finally love each other as you love all of us. Jesus—by the truth, riches, and power of the Gospel, may we love each other better, with that Day in heart and view.
Surely it must grieve you when we “bite and devour” one another—over major issues, and very inconsequential stuff. Robust dialogue is one thing, mean-spirited diatribe is quite another. Conflict is inevitable, redemptive conflict is a choice—a choice made by those who champion showing kindness over personal rightness.
As we enter this “work-week”—we do so both in Christ and in weakness. May we honor both, as we engage those who view the “Roe-decision” differently—and a host of other hot-button, old-trigger, new-flash-point issues. Jesus, help us. Free us. So Very Amen.
