Posted on 04/12/2007 11:02:25 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum
Knitting a Conundrum: We are coming together in love, and to share the love of Christ, and therefore, even if we disagree, we need to remember to avoid things that are not said kindly and in love. Each of us holds our beliefs because we do it for the love of Christ, and even if you don’t accept the conclusion of a person, honor it by not saying harsh or hurtful things because it’s done to honor Christ.
Kind and respectful discourse. Avoid words that you know will cause a kneejerk reaction. If a person uses terminology that seems wrong to you, ask them to define it the way they use it, and accept the fact that it might be used differently than you use it. Together we can work on ways of discussing our love of Christ in a language we all understand.
Above all, treat others like fellow lovers of Jesus.
ONE ANOTHER DEVOTIONAL CHRISTIAN CAUCUS:
We construe that to mean—ABSOLUTELY NOTHING PERSONALLY NEGATIVE will be posted to another FREEPER Christian.
Generic Biblical points, MINOR, essential comments about flaws of generic groups of Christians MIGHT--with hopefully rare exception--MIGHT be allowed but are NOT to be the focus or emphasis of this thread.
We seek the awesome possibility that this thread could be an overwhelmingly positive example of:
We call and challenge ourselves and other BELIEVERS IN CHRIST AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR to respond to each ONE ANOTHER as posted for that day as though delivered from the hand or mouth of our Lord and Savior directly that day at the moment of first reading it.
By respond, we mean to prayerfully ponder it—FIRST—THEN type.
Ask The Lord where in one’s life HE would like to see that expressed more fully, earnestly, Spirit-led-ly, routinely.
Ask The Lord where in the FR Religion Forum network of RELATIONSHIPS it might be better expressed more faithfully as unto The Lord.
Share the resulting Spirit-born insights as led on the thread.
< If The Lord reminds one of where one has done well with that ONE ANOTHER to good effect in an individual’s life for The Kingdom and their relationship with God—sharing that in a humble, edifying way could be helpful.
Perhaps most redemptive would be a walking out of that ONE ANOTHER in a growthful, amplified way ON THE THREAD WITH ANOTHER FREEPER BELIEVER(S) with whom one has been less than ideally Christian in threads past.
Above all, let this thread more than any other prior— BE A VIVID EXAMPLE OF THE WORLD KNOWING WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER!
Accordingly:
1. Anything which arises out of our flesh nature—especially with a gritch, jab, tweak attached—particularly one designed to leave the other person one down and us one up.
2. Anything designed to/out of any motivation to shove our presumed saintliness and saintly perspective down anyone else’s, everyone else’s throat.
3. Anything which would detract from, sabotage the goal of a mutually supportive; mutually loving, mutually edifying CHRISTIAN CAUCUS thread. Anything UNloving.
1. Show ourselves and the world that we ARE CHRISTIANS by our LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. If the flesh is weak, ASK GOD for more umph in the love department before finishing typing and hitting POST.
2. Build other posters up; edify; encourage; clarify; support; affirm; BE KIND; be gentle; . . . be CHRISTLIKE in word, tone, deed.
3. Word things as you might during your most fervent courtship--to a young gal/man you were hoping to marry—i.e. attractively, winsomely, invitingly, maturely, responsibly--LOVINGLY.
7: The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. 8: Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9: Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. 10: As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13: But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
This is a deep thought.
We are saved because Christ’s love covers a multitude of sin at the Cross.
Yet it has other nuances, too.
The love which leads us to forgive one another, as Christ forgave, covers sins, too, by allowing for us and our brothers to live in grace-filled harmony. This is being thickskinned where it counts through the eyes of love, by not taking offense, and being quick to forgive.
When our brother, irritated and saddened, says a harsh word, we can refuse to let it penetrate our heart.
When we see someone doing something that drives us insane, we can refuse to be irritated or move on to where we don’t have to notice what they are doing.
We can offer the loving ear when our brother is having rough times, the strong shoulder when he needs to be comforted, the firm hand when he needs to be lifted up.
Above all, we can be the channel that God uses to spread out that love.
Today’s One another thread Ping!
Please add me to your ping list for this thread.
Thanks!
I have to be honest, I have a problem with this one. That's why I feel that these threads speak directly to me. It helps me to realize that we should love and edify 'One Another'.
Thank you
In Christ
A tremendous challenge, to “keep fervent” in love for one another. It’s hard enough in one’s own family to keep fervent love, when there are so many distractions and irritations. But then to be fervent in love for all our Christian brethren is another level.
(we won’t talk about how whiney and gripey I was this morning from the touch of a bug today when I was trying to post this article....easier, always easier said than done. But I keep trying. Repeating it often enough, maybe I’ll learn to stop whining along the way.) ;)
I hope you feel better soon!
Am I on the ping list? I could have used this earlier!
You are now!
Thanks!
Thank you oh so very much, dear sister in Christ, for these beautiful meditations!
Please add me to your ping list. Thanks.
jm
Been out of town, but you are added!
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