Treat Each Other With Respect
But no human being can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and
Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. –
James 3:8-9
So God created man in his own image, in
the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
– Genesis 1:27
There it was again. The words slammed “liberals” this
time. Not to worry. He slams “gays,” gun-control advocates, Democrats, and just
about everyone who dares to disagree with his opinion. Then he turns right
around and proclaims Jesus as Lord and Savior. Does anyone else see the
hypocrisy in this?
He is a nice man. You’d like him if you met him. You really
would. At least you would if you stayed away from politics. He just seems to lose
all reason when it comes to his conservative agenda. He is not alone.
Honestly, I don’t care what your opinions happen to
be. The First Amendment – everyone remembers that one I hope – guarantees the
right to free speech. What bothers me are the mean attacks aimed at the
opposing side. What happened to civility? What happened to staying on point and
keeping ourselves focused on the issues? When did it all get to be so personal
that we believe it’s okay to viciously attack someone, then proclaim God is
good?
Every person was created in God’s image. I believe
that because it’s what the Bible says. God loves equally the liberal and conservative
person. God loves all of us, whether we acknowledge that love or not. So how
can we look on someone created in God’s image and condemn that person all the
while claiming to love Him?
I’ve had so many explain it this way: It’s my opinion.
I’m entitled to my opinion. Yes, you are. The honest debate helps all of us be better
people and find solutions to the problems our nation faces. Or, at least, that’s
how it’s supposed to work in a democracy.
We look around and see hatred bubbling up everywhere.
It’s always someone else’s fault. Then we start bashing people who disagree
with us. It’s not about the issue, it’s about those “stupid” people who don’t
think like we do.
The one thing we all seem to agree on is how bad
Congress has become. The members can’t seem to get anything done. I wonder why?
Could it be because they’re too busy catering to a shifting political agenda
and their own pocketbooks to actually focus on honest debate and true
solutions. That might require compromise. It might cause a loud backlash from
voters. No one wants to believe that someone on the other side might actually
make a good point now and again.
Congress is inept because we demand they be so. Those
politicians look at us – loud, ugly children so intent on getting our own way
that we can’t remember how to share – and decide to be just the same. When are
we going to actually start living the faith we so loudly proclaim?
Jesus said to love each other. There is no place in
Christianity for hatred. Whenever you point ugly fingers at those who disagree,
you’ve pointed an ugly finger at someone made in God’s image. Stop it.
Look in the mirror and fix yourself. Choose words that
focus on the issues, and not the person you disagree with. In all things, at
all times, remember that person is someone God loves. Treat him with kindness
and respect. Live the faith you so loudly proclaim. We’ll all be better people,
a better nation, because of it.
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