Strange Identities

How deeply do you hurt for unbelievers?  As much as Paul? (Serendipity Bible Fourth Edition, page 1577).

Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (Romans  9:18 NIV).

It can be weird the way the brain works. When I look upon those who disagree with me in matters of politics or religion, I more often than not identify with them and love them essentially because neither of us can fully control our perceptions. Not infrequently, at one time or another in one context or another, I have held the identical type of position they are currently holding– that is, the character of human rationality is universal.  Take for example the display of the Confederate flag. I can remember in high school days at football games when rousing renditions of Dixie were played.  I remember how strong and assertive I felt. It never occurred to me that some would find the music extremely hurtful and painful.  In other words, my thoughts and feelings were circumscribed by my own experiential context – as indeed is always the case.  This is simply another reason why our perception of justice need always be affirmed with integrity yet flecked with mercy.

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