As a Christian engaging with people with different political views in an election season, here are some principles that guide me: - Government is God's gift, designed for our benefit (Romans 13:4). - Those who disagree are not my enemy. My enemy is not flesh & blood (Ephesians 6:12). - Every person is created in God's image (Gen 1:27) & every person has dignity, worth & value. - I should love & pray for those I disagree with (Matt 5:43-48). - My love & respect should not just be empty words, but should be demonstrated in tangible ways (James 2:17). - I should not be the cause of division, but rather should endeavor to be active at living in peace with everyone (Romans 12:17-18).
Micah Fries’ Post
More Relevant Posts
-
Public virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private Virtue, and public Virtue is the only Foundation of Republics. - John Adams Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. - George Washington Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. Benjamin Franklin To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. - James Madison Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue. - Samuel Adams I fear that we have become a culture that, at best, tolerates vice and at worst, revels in it. As such, we are increasingly ungovernable. This is sadly true across the entire political spectrum. If we want to see America thrive, we must return to a commitment to virtue.
-
-
I'm looking forward to this. Join Haddon and me for an interview with the guys at Off The Bench (Chattanooga) at 7pm Eastern tomorrow, Tuesday night. You can listen live at http://wgow.com.
-
-
As I work in multi-faith, I occasionally hear that we ought to set aside doctrinal differences to work together. At the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network we would reject that as a false dichotomy. I can set aside my doctrinal distinctives as easily as I can cut off my arm - in fact, it might be harder. Instead, we recognize that we live in a pluralistic context, and each person of faith (or no faith), comes to the public square with all their doctrinal distinctives making them who they are. For me that means I am a follower of Jesus Christ, through and through. My doctrinal peculiarities are what drive me to who I am, to collaboration and care for those who believe differently than I do, and give me the desire to live out and share my faith. We don't need less distinctive faith - we need people who own their theological distinctives and who can live those out, demonstrating kindness and compassion for one another. We don't need to gather together around theological uniformity, but rather around a common belief in the dignity, worth, and value of each person. I don't want people of other faiths who work with me to feel the need to hide or diminish what they believe. We are much better off if we live in a free state where each person can believe freely, and be accountable to live out that faith - where we can share that faith openly. For me, as a fairly conservative Evangelical Christian I don't serve in spite of that theology, I serve others, and love others, and value others, because of that faith.
-
I am increasingly convinced that just as pride is the mother of all sin, humility is the mother of all righteousness. It seems to me that humility can be viewed as the chief barometer of spiritual growth. Growing pride and growing holiness are incompatible. This, then, ought to be a chief expectation of Christian leadership.
-
I'm really looking forward to this event. I hope you will plan to join us. You can click here to purchase tickets: https://lnkd.in/e8A_BBTc
