Getting back at someone is not Christian.
Okay, granted that is a pretty abrupt way to start, but I want you to understand the point of this article. Many of us remember when there was civility in our conversation and actions. We believed in politeness and manners. Now it seems everything is a free-for-all.
We can't have debates, they must be shouting matches. If I disagree with you, there is no conversation there is only accusation and retaliation.
Social media has made it easy for us to have anonymity in our reactions to subjects and comments we disagree with. The professional news media has given us permission, through their actions, to ignore civility and shout out our angry disagreement.
It is even sad when people who call themselves followers of Christ resort to name calling and degrading commentary of an individual. Jesus did a whole sermon on turning the other cheek and going the extra mile, and yet that seems to have fallen on deaf ears. The Apostle Peter addressed this in 1 Peter 3:8-12. But his most telling statement on being a Christian is in verse 9, "Don't pay back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, give blessing in return. YOU WERE CALLED TO DO THIS..." (emphasis mine).
If we call ourselves followers of Christ, then we must hold ourselves to a higher standard. Christians do not get pulled into verbal fights, nor do they participate in backbiting and mockery. We are called to a higher level of citizenship.
You see, we are not just followers of Christ, but also representatives of Christ. It's alright to be angry, just don't retaliate. We are called to respond in love, peace and kindness.
There is way too much incivility in the world today. Our media seems to be fueling this digression of civility. Our children are being raised in a world that tells them to "Do to others before they do it to you." This cannot be, we are better than that. Christ shows us the way to be.
Now with that being said, let's look at how we can remedy the situation. Notice I did not say fight, because that is the last thing we need to do. Let God have the retribution, let us work in love.
The first thing to do is listen. Listen not so you can respond, but so you can understand. Everyone comes to a point of view by different paths, listen to hear where that person is coming from.
The next is look for common ground. In a church setting disagreements come out not because of hate, but because of love for the church. Often there is something in common that the opposing sides can agree on.
It is at that common ground that unity and civility can come out. From there you can find that many disagreements will sort themselves out. Even in the secular world, there is common ground in the most ardent disagreements.
But the biggest one is respect. Always see the person you disagree with as the image of God they are. Respect that image, thus respect that person. The two greatest commandments are Love God and Love Neighbor. If you can't love your neighbor, you are not loving God.
I pray that someday we will get back to civil discourse, though sometimes it looks like an uphill battle. Even if it is an uphill battle, we still must try. The best place to start is in church or other faith community. Show Christ to the people, be Christ for your neighbor and above all LOVE as Christ loves us.
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Editor's note: This is a regular series featuring area religious leaders writing about faith, family and community. To participate or suggest a church, contact us at news@darnews.com or 573-785-1414.