1 Corinthians 12: 12-13
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the
members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Ephesians 1:23
Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
Colossians 3:15 And
let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one
body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Ephesians 4: 3- 5 …
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There
is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your
calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
by Charles R. Swindoll
As much as we may pursue peace, and as positive and tactful
as we may be, there will still be occasions when disagreements arise. As one
wag put it, "Life ain't no exact science," which brings me to the
last two of four facts with which everyone (well, most of us) would agree. (I
shared the first two facts yesterday.)
In every disagreement there are the same two ingredients:
(a) an issue and (b) various viewpoints. The issue is usually objective and
involves principles. The viewpoints are subjective and involve personalities.
And therein lies the sum and substance of a clash, which could be defined as a
disagreement over an issue because of opposing points of view. I will be candid
with you: Every time I have remembered those two basic ingredients in the midst
of a disagreement, I have been able to keep calm and think clearly. When I have
forgotten them, almost without exception I have failed to negotiate my way
through the clash with wisdom. Furthermore, I have regretted something I said
in the heat of verbal exchange. Those two simple ingredients have never failed
to help me keep cool. Why? The next fact will explain.
In many disagreements each side is valid. As
"liberal" as you may think that sounds, chew on it before you toss it
aside. On numerous occasions when I have encountered a brother or sister who
felt as strongly as I about the other side of the argument, I came to realize
it was not so much an I-am-right-and-you-are-wrong matter as it was an
I-see-it-from-this-perspective-and-you-from-that-perspective matter. Both sides
of most disagreements have strengths and weaknesses, which means neither side
is an airtight slam dunk. Nevertheless, any disagreement can lead to a serious,
permanent rift in a relationship . . . and sometimes (this may
surprise you) that is God's will. There are times God chooses to spread the
good news of His Son rapidly in different directions by having two capable
servants of His have a major disagreement. As they separate and minister
effectively in two different locations, He accomplishes a greater objective
than if they were in agreement.
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