Something to keep in mind with everything going on these days

There are always hot-button issues and most of the time every angle has a form of plausibility and rational ground to stand on. I think we could all do a little better to remember that, as well as 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.


We may be in a position to speak with authority. We may have prophetic insight into the issue. We may know everything about a topic there is to know. However, if we don't use all that with charity it is nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,


We use it with charity by being willing to suffer, to feel upset and angry and misunderstood and yet wait patiently for the right timing. We do not allow what we have and know to give us a sense of superiority or rightness just because we were LUCKY or BLESSED enough to have/know it.

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;


We use it with charity by not acting out in ways that degrade who we are or what we stand for, that alienate others and undermine our cause (a message loses credibility when its messenger lacks credibility). We do not seek after our own agenda and ignore the positions/ideas/feelings of others. We don't let other's ignorance, thoughtlessness, or belligerence push us from always taking the high road. We choose to always think the best of others -- to give them the benefit of the doubt.

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;


We use it with charity by not rejoicing when difficult/bad/unpleasant things happen to others -- even when they are the consequences of their own actions (but instead, we mourn with them).

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whetherthere be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Doing all of this will never fail in keeping us right with God. Knowing and speaking "the truth" are not enough to save us. ONLY CHARITY.