Vol. 16 No. 4
April 4, 2017
Dear Friend,
One of the great balancing acts in the Christian life is to hold
conviction and compassion together.
We are to know what we believe and why we believe it and to
treat other people with dignity and respect even if they do not share
convictions.
It has become difficult for some people to "disagree with
grace" both in our churches and in our society in general.
This loss of civility means we frequently see a basic lack of
mutual respect in conversation between persons in public discourse and in
private conversation within our homes.
This ought not be so.
We have been called by Christ to be a people of deep conviction
who at all times demonstrate God's grace and love.
For example, Jesus Christ said:
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth
will set you free (John 8:31-32).
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another (John 13:34).
Allow the truth of Christ's word to grow richly within your life
and ask Jesus Christ, himself, to make your life a living demonstration of his
compassion and love.
E. Stanley Ott
