We need a redo. A toddler time out. A fresh start on how we view and treat people.
Let’s jump right in the deep end. You and I might disagree about abortion, about LGBTQ+ leadership in the church, about ways to resolve racial injustices, about politics. (I am not saying these or other topics are unimportant, and I am not belittling the hard, painful, necessary work of navigating tough issues.) What I am saying is this:
Each person is made in the image of God, equally so.
Each life is God breathed and inherently valuable.
Each believer is saved by grace, and grace alone.
I may not like what you say. I may not agree with what you post. Before I respond with contempt, before I belittle or berate you, I need to remind myself that my words are about to tarnish an image bearer of God. God’s redemption in our lives is our starting point to extend grace to others.
Maybe I’ve let the world and the media make me cynical, but I know we can be decent, and I know we can be kind. We can agree to disagree on some things. Let’s look for the common ground. Let’s look for the good.
We are equally made in the image of God.
Our lives are equally valuable.
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
When it gets complicated, overwhelming, heated – let’s get back to the basics: proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes. We can find unity in the new covenant because Jesus’ death on the cross was for all of us – every bit as much for you as it was for me.
Believers, let’s remember that we agree on Jesus, and let’s encourage each other in our pursuit of Him.
Have you purchased your Everlasting Covenant journal yet? Not only will you find all of the daily reading passages and SOAP journaling pages, but you’ll have each of the daily devotionals in printed form–no need to check the app on your phone while working through your study!
Don’t forget, the new Bridge Reading Plan is only available in the printed journals! The Bridge is a two-week long reading plan designed to bridge the gap between two studies. In the Everlasting Covenant journal you’ll find the Bridge Reading Plan along with two weeks worth of SOAP journaling pages and daily Scripture reading! Don’t miss this! Starting with Everlasting Covenant the Bridge reading plan will walk through the entire Book of Psalms during 2021. This plan is found only in the study journals, so grab one today! You don’t want to miss out!
When you purchase a journal, you are helping us reach women around the world with the gospel. By purchasing a journal you help our incredible team of volunteer translators build up leaders around the world. Your journal purchase allows women to read God’s Word in their native language and have access to quality Bible study materials in the language they best understand. We hope you’ll join us on our mission to make God’s Word accessible to women in every nation and in every language!
Order your Everlasting Covenant and Everlasting Covenant for Kids journals here!
Well said … issues to focus on … Where will you spend eternity? What do you answer to God when He asks, “What have you done with My Son, Jesus?” Focus, focus!
I just Caught up on blogposts for last week. This blessed my heart. Thank you.