continued discussion - context, application & love

My friend wrote:

Reminds me of a conversation I had about Jeremiah 29:11. I was talking  about the verses meaning [in it's context] with a friend and it made her so mad that she immediately went into the whole  "you're putting God in a box, you're destroying the hope of thousands, are you saying the Old Testament is useless for teaching, etc" mode. I said, "no, I learn a lot about God from this verse:  His love and care for his chosen people whom we as Christians are, His sovereignty over difficult situations,  His plan for redemption at work many generations before it came to fruition."
As Augustine said, "unity on the essential, liberty on the non essentials, in all things love" (or something like that :))

But for my secret 2 cents worth:  my experience has been that those who wish to take liberties with the scriptures are far more likely to get defensive in the face of a more compact interpretation than those who wish to stick close to context are to being open to what a more general interpretation of that scripture might be.

My response:

It is interesting to me that your experience is that Christians who liberally apply verses are more defensive, when my experience is the context limiting Christians are more defensive and judgmental.  My conclusion is that our "bent" and pride affects how we interrupt others reactions.  

What is so encouraging to me is the evidence of the love I see when you and I have disagreements over scripture or the application of it.  We don't always see things the same but we talk about it from the motivation and common ground assurance and respect  that we know we both are striving to rightly discern and to actively apply the word in order to become more Christ-like.  So when we disagree on scripture it is not a "fight".  When we disagree there is much much grace in our communication (words, attitude, tone, and  strategies).  Because of our love and respect you and I both know that to disagree is not a personal attack (not condemnation).  This produces peace in the midst of disagreement.

I am convicted though, that we are to love ALL of our brothers and sisters in Christ with the same such love and respect (the bible is full of this repeated command).  I think that is what Jesus was praying for - the level of unity that transcends.  (John 15). Sin breeds discord so easily, and the New Testament church struggled with these issues as well (all you have to do is read the Epistles to see this).  But this doesn't excuse or permit us from living and loving according to the commands of Christ.  I will pray for us all... for conviction and true repentance (that turns us from anything that feeds discord and turn us to - in full assurance of faith embrace - live out genuine sacrificial love) (I Cor 13).  

Personally, for my part, right now I bow in mind, body and spirit before our Lord and ask Him to wash me and renew me again, giving me the enlightenment to see people from a perspective of love, especially in the body of Christ, to see the redemptive work of God in their lives and to allow that, to bring peace, even in communications where we disagree.  That indeed my speech would be sweet with grace and pleasant as seasoned with salt.  I am also asking God to show me the things in my heart and speech that are hidden to my perception but that are sowing seeds of disunity or discord.  I am asking God to replace those areas with a "fullerness" of Him (in spirit and truth). 
Amen