Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: Ecclesiastes 3-4 | 1 Corinthians 12

In the summer of '98, I met a person opposite of me in every way imaginable. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t pretend to care. 

We both fell victim to preconceived ideas during that initial meeting, like people often do, but being open to the truth removed the blanket of perception. 

Twenty-eight years later, I introduced him to my wife and two youngest kids at his wedding. The bride told my wife, Erica, that the groom had to gather himself after seeing me enter the wedding space. He even had gifts waiting for me. I joked with a few people (to irritate them) that it only added to my legend, but the truth is deeper, sadder, and an invitation for hope.

My friend can be difficult and opinionated, but that’s what makes him human. Life brought a lot of darkness to his mind and heart, and over time, he began to believe those lies. He told Erica that I’m one of the few who allowed him to be himself. Others got caught up in verbal wars or misinterpreted his actions. They drew a line in the sand instead of attempting to understand how he entered the darkness. 

Romans 12:9
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

There are times when you aren’t enough for someone, so you have to remove yourself from their life. But so often, you pretend to love others, then remove yourself without attempting to show God’s love. People get it wrong, even Christians. 

There are Pharisaical, or “truth-speaking,” Christians who will point out another’s sin but offer little help in finding a way out of it. That’s not love. Then there are Cultural Christians who love the sinner without offering correction. That’s an incomplete love because they remain silent about sin or salvation.

Holding tightly to what is good is sharing and showing what you know to be true about the gospel. Through grace and forgiveness, Jesus makes those who trust in him new.

Don’t pretend someone’s flaws aren’t real, and don’t go out of your way to reduce them to their flaws. Sometimes, loving someone means showing up in the room where others decided they don’t belong. It requires you to see the person still standing in the darkness. 

Questions: 
Do people experience grace from you? Do you share truth as a punishment? 

Do you show up when it’s inconvenient?

Next Steps: 
Ask God to show you what you may be missing in other people. Practice presence by showing up. Grab a cup of coffee with someone. Invite them to join a small group. Let them know you’ve been praying for them. 

21 Days of Prayer | Today’s Focus: For Marriages and Families 

Prayer: 
Gracious God, you are the source of all good things and the giver of every perfect gift. I pray for marriages in our communities today, that they may be filled with your spirit and your peace. Help spouses choose to put on love, to respect each other with kindness and patience, and to build their relationship on you and your word. Teach spouses and families across our communities to seek you first in everything and to trust you with their challenges and decisions. May our marriages, our families, and our lives reflect your glory and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Series Theme Verse:
John 13:35
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 

Written by Jaron Camp, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.