Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Disagree.
I love that this was the word prompt this morning as this was the portion of Scripture before me yesterday for contemplation:
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
(2 Corinthians 5:18-20, NASB)
There are so many varied thoughts and opinions on every topic, thus, more to disagree on each day. As believers, we are called – ministers of reconciliation. We are being challenged now, maybe more than ever before, to live out our calling and be those who bring reconciliation, bring people together.
We do not need to agree on everything, in fact, it is possible we will disagree on many things. The question is: how will we disagree?
Even as we disagree are we doing so in love, with love? Have we walked away from each other amicably? Are we able to come together at another time and enjoy the company of one another?
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, NASB)
It’s the big “if”.
Will we love one another,
even if,
we disagree?
Will we?
I am praying we all rise to the challenge of loving one another. We all so desperately need one another! {{hug!}}
I disagree with what you may
plead from humble bended knee,
but honestly I have to say
that I often don’t agree with me.
My brain is like a canned-food shelf,
and of opinion there’s no lack,
but I admit to you (and to myself),
“One on in front, one falls from back”,
and like a flitting flutter-bird
I leap from thought to thought to thought
and do not stop to parse each word
(though it’s something that I really ought).
But rise, my friend, and hold no sorrow;
it’s likely we’ll agree tomorrow.
Yes, we will disagree, but if we could do it in a loving way it would set a much better example to others and point them to Jesus!
Amen! I completely agree with this message and it is so important indeed.
Thank you again, Joanne. Your thoughts and your questions are challenging me to keep growing and learning in love! (Karen, FMF #6)
What a perfect verse for this topic as we look to be ministers of reconciliation – our true reconciliation with God and with others is only through Christ! So glad you shared.
Thank you for sharing!! Deirdre FMF #2
Your post made me think of the description of the early believers. In Acts it says that “they had everything in common,” and yet we know they were of varied ethnic, religious, and professional backgrounds. I think the most important part of being able to disagree in unity is that it shows the Spirit amongst us.
Amie, FMF #16