The Revd Mark Smith, Vicar of Rawdon and Minister with Deaf People in the Diocese of Leeds

IF there’s one thing we can be sure of in this life its that human being will never fully agree with each other.

We get a spell of hot weather and some of us (me included ) are hoping it will go on forever and wishing it was always like this. Others are hoping it will rain and get cold again as they hate the heat.

Some people are yearning for more easing of the lockdown, others would prefer we stay safer a bit longer.

Some dread the impending no deal Brexit and others say “bring it on”.

Some reckon the method of working out A Level BTEC and GCSE results is a good thing and others think it is massively unjust. (usually depending on whether it advantaged or disadvantaged them personally).

The first century Church argued over whether or not they had to keep the Jewish laws on circumcision or could eat food purchased in the market place that had been killed as a sacrifice to pagan gods.

And do you know what, I reckon we need to have all these debates. Without robust discussion and debate we learn nothing!

But at the same same it is more important that we love one another and seek one another’s best interests than that we win arguments.

But when I stand before my Lord I think he’ll be more interested in whether I loved my enemies, forgave those who hurt me, cared for the poor, than if I won a late night argument on Facebook .

One of the things I love about Jesus (and later the apostle Paul) is they managed to challenge the religious leaders of their time -and did they not hold back their punches when they felt they were worn – but at the same time always sought their welfare.

Grace and Truth – they make a very special partnership!