Everyone is entitled to their own 'stupid' opinion

My dear Prince has often said when a bit disgusted by someone's blathering that everyone is entitled to their own 'stupid' opinion. Now he is just jesting...mostly.

This past Sunday I was deeply convicted and, indeed, even had an "Ah, ha!" moment. It is so true that much of what we argue about, or shall I say discuss with verve, is simply a matter of differing opinion.

I mean really, when was the last time I got into a heated debate about the sovereignty of God, or the absolute necessity of the cross, or the glorious mystery of the Trinity?

With shame I admit that it wasn't that long ago I spoke heatedly about the ignorant idea that we can actually spend ourselves out of debt. There's a bird-brained idea to argue about.

So when the Pastor began to discuss the need to accept one another in love (despite differing opinions) I was a bit rattled. But the best part was that it finally dawned on me that we really are entitled to our own opinions but that's all they are...opinions. Arguing about nonessentials as though they are essentials shows a lack of, even contempt for, love. Pastor Monty said, "If I do not accept folks as they are then I am not loving." Long ago in a Bible I simply wore the cover off of I had written on the flyleaf these words: "If I am not very loving then I am not very holy." Exactly.

Pastor's sermon also reminded me of an old 70s chorus (that's 1970s!) which went: If you want to be great in God's Kingdom then you must be the servant of all.

And finally I loved the sweet, meaningful phrase included in the sermon. We are to work toward unity and we are to treat those with differing opinions with benevolent kindness. Benevolent kindness. Because that is how God has treated us.

I would really like to be able to always accept another's opinion without judgment and to treat all with benevolent kindness.

Whew...I have a long way to go!