To bear the pain of another, to feel insulted whenever another is put down and to do everything possible to build the other up, these are what the text calls living like Christ. It is all about living in relationship with the image of God in others. What can I do to enhance the image in others? How do I take away some of the pain others feel that is covering up that image?
That really does not sound much like some of the superficial arguments presented from pulpits these days. Nor does it look like what society thinks of Christians. Petty arguments and judgmental attitudes are quite out of place here. Regardless of what is correct or not in an argument, the very fact that an argument exists demonstrates a lack of living out the goal set forth in the text. That is not to say that error should be tolerated and sin permitted. Rather it has everything to do with the attitude, manner and motivation for treating it.
Oh how simple and yet how hard to live out our calling.
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