John Newton, former slave trader turned Christian pastor and hymn writer, obviously knew something about grace. His hymn, Amazing Grace, is probably the most famous hymn ever written.As moving as that great hymn is, I think these words he wrote to a friend have had an even greater impact on me. Though he speaks of writing to an "opponent", I think his words are equally relevant for face-to-face conversation:
As to your opponent, I wish, that, before you set pen to paper against him, and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend him by earnest prayer to the Lord's teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love and pity him; and such a disposition will have a good influence upon every page you write. . . .
[If he is a believer,] in a little while you will meet in heaven; he will then be dearer to you than the nearest friend you have upon earth is to you now. Anticipate that period in your thoughts. . . . [If he is an unconverted person,] he is a more proper object of your compassion than your anger. Alas! "He knows not what he does." But you know who has made you to differ.
That last line says it all. If we really believe that we only know what we know and believe what we believe because of the free mercy and grace of God in Christ, it will season the way we speak to and think about those who don't believe what we believe. And that is so whether the "opponent" is a believer or an unbeliever.
May all God's people exude such charity and humility with those we disagree with.
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