It distracts from what is most important.
Respect slows down and acknowledges a position, station, authority. A PERSON.
Saying, "I see you. You are valued. Even if I don't like you or agree with you. I don't have to agree with you, but I value you."
What happened in Charlottesville, VA with the alternative right was unacceptable, but we must not react hastily, instead have perspective seeing that what has happened is not uncommon to man.
It's not a race issue. We are the human race. It's a heart issue that is looking at the differences, whether that be socially and skin-deep or culturally and historically rather than the similarities: We are all humans with souls and made in God's image.
There is hate where God's love is absent. Where Christ is not at work in hearts, sin will abound, but it will not win. And God will bring justice because of His Love and inability to be in the midst of sin.
Oh, Israel, how long will you run from your Father, dealing only with the surface issues or creating issues that should not even exist?
Am I exempt?! No! But, I am one of them, running from You in my sin.
Have mercy on us all, Father.
For we sin against You, doing what is right in our own eyes for our glory and not Yours.
But, may You be glorified, this day. Even now.
This is not an uncommon day, though it is very sad.
And we SHOULD mourn. And it should wake us up to the injustices around us, but greatest of all, our own rejection of our God, our Creator, our Lord.
We have replaced You with a counterfeit, and if we do not repent, we will be given over into our sin and it will define us.
Oh, praise the One who paid our debt, and raised His life up from the dead.
We can have life in Jesus Christ. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
We mourn, longing for the day of no more tears. But, LORD, You are AT WORK on this earth. Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! Continue to save us from ourselves, causing us to be firm with the gospel of truth and compassionate with love and mercy, as You have shown us through Your Son, Jesus Christ, the God-Man. We need you desperately.
Congregavit now in unum Christi amor.
Exultemus, et in ipso iuucundemur.
Timeamus, et amemuus Deuum vivum.
Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul ergo cum in unum congregamur:
Ne nos mente dividamur, caveamus.
Cessent iurgia maligna, cessent lites.
Et in medio nostri sit Christus Deus.
Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus,
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum,
Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.
Simul quoque cum beatis videamus,
Glorianter vultum tuum, Christe Deus:
Gaudium quod est immensum, atque probum,
Saecula per infinita saeculorum. Amen.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease,
And may Christ our God be in our midst.
As we are gathered into one body,
Beware, lest we be divided in mind.
Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease,
And may Christ our God be in our midst.
Where charity and love are, God is there.
And may we with the saints also,
See Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good,
Unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.
And may we with the saints also,
See Thy face in glory, O Christ our God:
The joy that is immense and good,
Unto the ages through infinite ages. Amen.
