Can I Just Sell Cars?

This post popped up on a pastor friend of mine’s Facebook page a couple of days ago:

I hope you can find the same humor I did in that post. And don’t worry, I don’t feel called to sell cars…most days.  

It does remind me of the words of John Wesley:

"Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences."

It’s impossible for us to all “think alike” on the issues we find ourselves surrounded by every day. But it is not impossible for us to all “love alike” in the midst of our differences of opinion.  

How do we love those who think so differently than we do? Glad you asked. Our friend Paul has the answer:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV)

Allow me to ask you a question. As you have conversations with those who disagree with you, are you patient? Are your Facebook posts kind? Do you boast? Are you arrogant? Rude? Do you insist on your own way? Are you irritable? Resentful? Do you always look for the best in others? Do you find hope in all things?  

Paul never says to “love alike” we have to “think alike”. And I believe John Wesley would agree with him. Do you?  

Besides, wouldn’t I have the same issues selling cars?

Ryan

P.S. I hope you don’t think I’m making light of these very complicated issues. Because I’m not. In fact, the Aldersgate staff and I are engaged in these conversations almost daily. You might be surprised to know that we don’t all think alike. But we can all love alike. And beginning in August, we are going to be talking about these issues on Sunday mornings in a message series titled Pull Up a Chair and a BRAND NEW podcast that will go by the same name.