Hakata Letter 5. The More We Know Each Other, the More We Need Understanding and Acceptance

Hakata Letter 5. The More We Know Each Other, the More We Need Understanding and Acceptance

There is a saying, "The closer you are to someone, the more you should observe proper etiquette."
Some people speak carelessly to those they are close to. This can lead to the use of harsh language. However, careless words can often hurt the other person's feelings, even if you are close. Disappointment and loss of trust in a close relationship can leave deep scars. Careless words and jokes, even among close friends, can eventually distance them from each other.
There is a saying that "a couple has no distance between them." There are no people closer than a married couple. Yet, some couples use respectful language with each other, even when they are angry. Using respectful language can set clear boundaries in marital disputes.
A married couple cannot always live in a honeymoon phase. Over time, feelings can change to disappointment. This can lead to crises in the relationship. Sometimes people say that things were better before they knew each other well. It's unfortunate when knowing each other becomes a burden. Knowing each other better should lead to greater understanding and love, shouldn't it?
The same applies to relationships among believers. The more we know each other, the more we should understand and accept each other, rather than being disappointed and burdened. This is also true for the relationship between a pastor and the congregation. The Bible says that humans are inherently sinful from birth. Even though we are born again as children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we still carry our own sins.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again, making us children of God. But because we still have sinful natures, we must practice self-sacrifice like Jesus. Therefore, we should not expect too much from others. Let us love one another. We must practice love, just as Jesus loved us to the point of death. True relationships among close people may be perfected through love and disappointment.
We live on this earth because of the mission God has given us to be His disciples. Rather than loving because we can trust, we should trust because we must love.
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

Pastor Kim Ju-young, desires to serve together.