When St Paul said, “we see in a mirror dimly,” he was not referring to the difficulty we have in understanding esoteric, abstract notions that have little apparent value for daily life. He was referring to the deepest things that matter most: to knowing God and being known by Him, an understanding that is the foundation for all knowing, all living, all meaning.

Today many doubt the possibility of such truth. That’s fine, I would respond, let’s begin a conversation. We can talk about it—no holds barred—but know my invitation is to be together. Sit in my living room, eat at my table, and watch how we live. Watch our relationships, our lives together as a small community of people who take delight in life, wanting somehow to bring a measure of healing, of redemption into the brokenness. Watch—and see if any of it demonstrates the truth of which we speak. Not perfectly of course, but really.

Know too that among Christians today truth is often sadly up for grabs. “Christianity lays great emphasis on the importance of knowledge,” John Stott said, “rebukes anti-intellectualism for the negative, paralyzing thing it is, and traces many of our problems to our ignorance. Whenever the heart is full and the head is empty, dangerous fanaticisms arise.” They never seem like fanaticisms when they first appear, of course, which is why so many good people get swept away by them.

True Christianity involves full hearts, full heads, and vibrant imaginations lived in a community in which love is exhibited as faith and hope are celebrated.

Source: St Paul in 1 Corinthians 13; John Stott in Authentic Christianity (InterVarsity Press) p. 256.