Tuesday, April 4, 2017

TRUTH AND LOVE

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.

Joy to you - 
E. Stanley Ott