Bon Jovi sang it.  The modern poets are often keen observers of things as they are.  “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”  As an example of that maxim, consider these words written by Pastor Stuart Briscoe in 1982, “When differences of opinion arise concerning deeply held traditions, reactions are usually quite extreme.  Feelings of anger and resentment, frustration, and bitterness spill over.  Usually, the people involved in the acrimonious dispute become more entrenched in their position and increasingly isolated from those with whom they disagree.”  1982!!!!  Wow, his statement sounds so present.  Whether the issue is our response to Covid-19, racism, the economy, or any number of current hot-buttons, what Briscoe wrote is still true.  You won’t be surprised that the problem goes back even further than 1982.  Our text for Sunday reminds us that the church in Rome was having disputes as well.  In their day the big issues were “meat sourcing” and “holy days.”  Those may not sound like a big deal to you but they were to them.  We have our own big deals today and yet the principles for dealing with them are the same.  The disposition of love that comes as a result of a renewed mind will lead us through the maze of emotions to a place of respect and consideration.  Let’s be a people growing in our discernment about how to deal with disputable matters…with a disposition of love.