SOME THOUGHTS ON LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

Senior citizen! That’s me, and a host of other folks in this congregation and all across the face of America. Sometimes referred to as “old codgers”—or other terms not so complimentary—we’re still the same gang.

We’ve seen more, felt more, loved more, experienced more than most people in our land. And, hopefully, we have learned more—learned more about compassion and understanding. Learned more about generosity and service. Learned more about tolerance and acceptance. And, as Christians, learned more about what it means to model the life of Christ in our own lives.

Truly we excel when it comes to giving generously for someone in the congregation with a special need. Truly we excel when a sister in Christ donates one of her kidneys to a brother in Christ who needs a transplant. Truly we excel when we succeed at reaching out to the lost with spiritual and/or material help. Truly God’s love is shown through us at times like these.

But something strange happens whenever disagreements arise—whether over matters of opinion or doctrine. Traditional ways of doing things are often elevated to a place of honor and those who violate them are denounced. What happened?

At such times we (as senior citizens—those of us who should be more spiritually mature), are not showing the spirit of Christ. At a time when we should be modeling understanding (or, at least, talking to others and trying to understand their position), some of us are just as likely to hastily condemn.

Love and understanding and compassion are refrains constantly played throughout the letters of the New Testament. Obviously, the writers understood (with God’s inspired guidance) that if Jew and Gentile (coming from such disparate cultural backgrounds and worldviews) ever experienced unity in the church, these qualities must be promoted. Old and young alike must accept and practice such things.

Today, our young people need to understand the efforts an older generation put into establishing a church in Hendersonville—and their generosity in constructing a fine facility. And try to understand their fears that their hard work might disappear in a vapor of “modernity.” Their fears are not totally unfounded. Churches have been ruined by trying to adapt to the world in unspiritual ways.

But, as a senior citizen myself, I want to place the greater burden for unity on myself and other seniors. Younger generations simply want the freedom to express joy in worship (something the Bible certainly doesn’t condemn)! So seniors, I beg you in the name of Christ, let’s model the spirit of Christ in love and compassion and understanding toward those who think and act differently. Let’s do our very best to model genuine Christian maturity. I know I intend to try harder. Will you do the same?

Finally, we must learn to distinguish between our traditional ways of doing things and clear Biblical teaching. We certainly have the freedom to change the former, but must never compromise the latter!
In Christian love,
Lloyd