Politics

Good Morning,

Hebrews 12:14-15 (NIV)
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

I received a question from someone who asked about political discussions while attending a Bible Study. I answered it...a lengthy answer so I'll not put it here...but still thought about how discordant and divisive political subjects and ideas can be, especially among Christians. Actually, I couldn't get the subject out of my head. So, when these verses of Scripture came to me today, well, it sure seems that God is speaking to us through them. No, it doesn't "seem" that He's telling us something, He IS telling us something. There is a difference, don't you think?

Let me ask you something. How can a group of folks "live in peace" when someone broaches some controversial subject that he or she has to know will cause some degree of disagreement or contention within the group? And, when that group has gathered to discuss God's Holy Bible, it seems that bringing up something of that nature is even more of a problem than in other circumstances. The writer of Hebrews tells us, clearly, "Make every effort to live in peace with ALL men..." Now, that seems to be pretty clear. Okay, it's clear to me, anyway. That's why I do all I can to steer people away from various topics and subjects when I feel we are gathered for a Bible Study, fellowship time, or other religious activity. Now, I have to admit that I am pretty clear and forthright in my political ideas, stance, and leanings. But...I do try to "make every effort to live in peace" with people I'm around by not brining up things that might cause a challenge or a lack of peace.

The word that came to me clearly this morning while reading these verses and then thinking about them was the word "dissension." So, I took a look at what the Bible says in verses that mention dissension. I'll not list all of the verses, but I'll give a quick synopsis of what the gist of it all is. Here are the things that the Bible says "stirs up" or "causes" dissension: plotting evil with deceit; false witness and lies; hatred; hot tempered people; perversity; gossip; greed; anger; discord; jealousy; selfish ambition; factions. Quite a list, isn't it? Oh, there's probably even more, but, well, I would think that's enough for today. Point here being that we simply do not want, nor can we really afford, to have dissension in and among ourselves, Christians who are trying to spread the Good News and teach people the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

You see, political discussions can...and so very often do...cause so many of the things we read about what causes dissension. Politics and political leanings, ideas, and so forth, too often bring out the worst in us. Now that's because of the second verse we read in today's Scripture, I think. "See to it that...no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." When we bring our political beliefs into our Christian gatherings and they differ, well, what happens...almost without fail...is that "bitter roots" DO grow up inside that fellowship group and that will "cause trouble and defile many." The trouble and defilement come when someone's political leanings don't agree with someone else's and that person who disagrees then begins to berate, complain, argue, gossip, and be angry with another who isn't of their political belief system.

Okay. I'm NOT going to discuss ANY political point of view in this message. That's not the point. I don't really care or want to know YOUR political views and I don't think that MY political leanings are any of your business. Pretty strong statement, I know. But how we feel about some things in our lives need not be discussed in any way that can cause dissension. We need to be obedient to what God has given us as direction in the Bible...even, I dare say, commands.

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

We need to do all possible to NEVER stir up any dissension among ourselves because that only causes bitterness, separation, and grief in our Christian community. We need to be united in sharing the Gospel. We need to be together and in total agreement in bringing God's message to the world. If we argue and fight among ourselves, we cannot be effective or as successful as we could be.

THAT'S the point.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David