“DEALING WITH DISAGREEMENT”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Colossians 3 (Focus vs.12–14)
MEMORY VERSE
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
BACKGROUND
The social media powerhouse Twitter created a platform where people all over the world express opinions in short sound bites.
In recent years, however, this formula has become more complex as individuals have begun to leverage Twitter as a tool to reprimand others for attitudes and lifestyles they disagree with.
Log on to the platform on any given day, and you’ll find the name of at least one person “trending.” Click on that name, and you’ll find millions of people expressing opinions about whatever controversy has emerged.
We’ve learned to publicly criticize everything from the beliefs people hold to the clothes they wear. The reality, however, is that a critical and unloving attitude doesn’t align with who God has called us to be as believers in Jesus.
While there will be times when we have to deal with disagreement, the Bible reminds us that as believers we’re to always conduct ourselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Instead of being harshly critical, even of our enemies, God urges us to “bear with each other and forgive one another if [we have] a grievance” (v. 13).
This treatment isn’t limited to the people whose lifestyles and beliefs we agree with. Even when it’s difficult, may we extend grace and love to everyone we encounter as Christ guides us, recognizing that we’ve been redeemed by His love.
By: Kimya Loder
INSIGHT
Love and unity are constant themes throughout the New Testament, and Paul highlights both concepts in Colossians. In 3:11, Paul pointed out how believers in Jesus enjoy an unprecedented unity. This is a radical unity that totally disregards traditional barriers of class and ethnic division.
Instead, “Christ is all, and is in all.” Such unity is to live itself out in a radically different way: in “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (v. 12). Never has this counsel been more appropriate than today.
Instead of rancorous disagreement, we’re to “bear with each other” (v. 13). This implies a patient understanding of others that grows out of an awareness that we’re not without fault either.
Such self-awareness enables us to empathize with those with whom we disagree. Paul concludes: “Over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (v. 14).
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
Consider a time when you were quick to criticize a friend or a stranger. What was the result? What could you have done differently to honor God and the individual?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“To disagree is not to agree to dissent” Anonymous
Dissent leads to disengagement and eventually seeds of dissent grow into trees of hatred – pr
“The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.” Napoleon Bonaparte
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“The reality, however, is that a critical and unloving attitude doesn’t align with who God has called us to be as believers in Jesus…Even when it’s difficult, may we extend grace and love to everyone we encounter as Christ guides us…”
PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, I know I fall short of Your glory every day. Thank You for Your unconditional love. Help me strive to be more like You by being patient and gentle with others.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL
“CHRIST YOUR WORDS OF LOVE CONFOUND US”
Christ, your words of love confound us,
even as we give you praise,
for the lessons that you teach us seem
so far from this world’s ways.
How can we love those who hate us?
How can we love enemies?
What of people who abuse us?
How can we love even these?
Make us mindful:
love is action, not a feeling that uplifts.
In each daily situation,
love’s the greatest of all gifts.
It’s the wiser, stronger person
who will break the chain of hate.
Love can usher in redemption;
Love can make a people great.
Faced with those who seek to hurt us,
make us confident and free:
You don’t call us to be helpless
but to stand with dignity.
Lord, when others are demanding,
May we know they matter more
than our money or possessions.
May we share, not keeping score.
If we love just those who love us,
where’s the giving? Where’s the grace?
Even sinners try to do this;
they have friends that they embrace.
May we do, Lord, unto others
as we’d have them also do.
You have shown us: Love is action.
May we love, and make things new.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
*A GREAT WAY TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO READ ‘WHOLE” BOOKS OF THE BIBLE NOT JUST VERSES AND/OR CHAPTERS THIS YEAR
PR WILL LOVE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ON THIS CHALLENGE.