Living In Grace

Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.
-1 Corinthians 13:5 (TPT)

I was introduced to a man's writings the other day, through a friend who is acquainted with this man, and he quoted the man, like we do every day, out loud or on social media; who wrote something provocative.  I wanted to find out the context of his text and so I began to try to find out about this man.  I began to form a response to my friend who posted this man's remark.

As I was considering a response, I also was strongly considering my friendship with the guy who was asking for comments about the provocateur.  By the way, my friend took issue with what the man wrote, but was not condemning or attacking.  It was a thoughtful discussion he was trying to spark with his social media friends.  I did not want to offend my friend with anything I might write.

I got to thinking about offense and offensiveness and becoming offended.  It is so easy and so common today.  There are a number of books you can read that deal with this issue, but I think about the words (of Paul), "love is not easily offended", and want to have that kind of love in me.

I was reading this man's blog and began to get his story, just a little bit about his life.  I imagine that he wrote much more about himself than I read, but I read enough that he became a very real person to me and I saw him through love and grace.  By the way, we can still debate, argue, and discuss with people that we have grace and love for; but it is different and so much better when we see them as a brother or sister, through eyes of grace and in love.  Wow.

As I read, this man shared a slice of severe pain from his life and I was immediately endeared to him.  I suddenly loved him more and had buckets of grace for him.  I also saw him as a fellow journeyman on the road with and in Christ, trying to find his way and helping others.