Daily Devotion

“Furthermore, we must remember that the person to whom we are talking, however far from the Christian faith he may be, is an image-bearer of God. He has great value and our communication to him must be in genuine love. Love is not an easy thing; it is not just an emotional urge, but an attempt to move over and sit in the other person's place and see how his problems look to him. Love is a genuine concern for the individual. As Jesus Christ reminds us, we are to love him 'as ourselves'. This is the place to begin.”

Francis Schaeffer · The God Who Is There (London: Hodder & Stoughton / Chicago: Inter-Varsity Press, 1968), Section IV "Speaking Historic Christianity into the Twentieth-Century Climate," ch. 1 "Finding the Point of Tension"

Scripture

1 Corinthians 8:1 As for things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. But knowledge puffs up a person, while love edifies.

Reflection

We can easily accumulate a perfect set of "apology logic" or "gospel answers" and arm ourselves with them. However, knowledge divorced from empathy for others easily degenerates into a sense of spiritual superiority, building high walls rather than bridges. Correct viewpoints, without the wrapping of love, often become rigid dogmas, intimidating and frightening. True "edification" is not about conquering others with logic, but about bending down to be a patient listener in the struggle of their souls. Only when others feel respected and understood can our truthful knowledge transform into sweet rain, nourishing their thirsty hearts. What we should strive for is not to win an argument, but to win a soul.