Read 1 Peter 2
13-17Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. (The Message)
This is a passage that doesn't seem to come up in the church on a regular basis these days. It seems in my eyes and ears that churches have decided that they will either become completely political and identify with one party or another or they will refrain from any and all discussion about how faith influences the political discussion. The problem is that politics are a part of life and if faith doesn't have an impact upon all of one's life then it is incomplete.
The place where I see personally the need for believers to speak into the political realities of life today is in the area of respect and dignity. Within the context of talking about politics Peter says that we should treat everyone with dignity. If everyone who professed a faith and belief in Jesus took that passage to heart it would radically change the way we deal with the realities of our social and political life.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
The place where I see personally the need for believers to speak into the political realities of life today is in the area of respect and dignity. Within the context of talking about politics Peter says that we should treat everyone with dignity. If everyone who professed a faith and belief in Jesus took that passage to heart it would radically change the way we deal with the realities of our social and political life.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What do you think is the appropriate role for a believer to play in politics?
- At a family or social gathering do you find it appropriate to talk about politics? Why or why not?
- When you consider how you talk about or treat others who might have a different opinion than you would they say you treat them with respect?
- How might you encourage others to be more respectful toward people of various opinions?
I try to encourage people to be respectful of each other, especially in the electronic media: email, blogs, facebook, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt seems some people think it's okay to say things in print that they would not say face to face.
People don't have to agree with me, or me with them, but I try to be considerate of others and wish others would do the same.