“We deny the power of godliness when we are passionate about politics or justice but heartless and unjust to those who don’t see things the way we do. We cave in to the love of self when we speak harshly, not compassionately, about the church member caught in sin. We may look godly on the outside–attending church, participating in small group, pursuing justice, preaching the gospel, and tithing ten percent–while indifferent to Christ’s heart for sinners. When we choose self-love, we live more in the cultural moment than in the redemptive-historical age. Instead of settling for a veneer of Christianity, we need to dive deep into Christ and bring others along with us.”
Jonathan K. Dodson, The Unwaivering Pastor: Leading the Church with Grace in Divisive Times. No Location: The Good Book Co., 2022, page 92.
Related posts:
Pastor Note #92: Living Out Love
Prayer Note #62: Holy Kindness/Kind Holiness
Pastor Note #33 — Kindness and the Gospel in a Broken World
Bible Note #64: Zechariah 7:9-10–A Rightly Ordered Society in God’s Eyes
Pastor Note #144: Jesus vs. Brutality & Inhumanity
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