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My purpose . . . is emphatically not to advance a partisan agenda. I would offer the same response to last night’s divisiveness if the president were a Democrat and the House Speaker a Republican.

In such a bitterly divided culture, my purpose today is to consider biblical ways to deal with disagreements as a nation and as individuals.

ONE: HONOR THE POSITION IF NOT THE PERSON

First, we must honor the position even if we disagree with the person.

Peter instructed us: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13-14). Paul agreed: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).

Note that the emperor to whom they referred was Nero, one of the most despotic tyrants in Roman history.

In light of God’s word, it was wrong for Republican Congressman Joe Wilson to cry out “You lie!” when President Obama was delivering a joint address to Congress in 2009. (The congressman soon apologized, and the president accepted his apology.) It was also wrong for Speaker Pelosi to rip up President Trump’s speech. . .

TWO: INITIATE RECONCILIATION

Second, God’s word calls us to go to those with whom we disagree.

Jesus was clear: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Conversely, our Lord also taught us: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Whether someone sins against us or we sin against them, we are to go to them. We are not permitted to speak about them before we speak to them. When we discuss public figures, we must avoid slander (Psalm 101:5James 4:11) and gossip (Proverbs 20:191 Timothy 5:13), only saying about them what we would say to them. . .

THREE: LOVE OUR ENEMIES IN PRAYER 

Our third principle may be the hardest: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).

“Love” translates agape, the unconditional commitment to put the other person first. We demonstrate this commitment when we pray for “those who persecute you”—the Greek syntax is translated literally, “for them as they are persecuting you.”

You know that you love your enemies when you pray for God’s best for them regardless of how they treat you. Such forgiveness obeys God’s word and will (Mark 11:25) and models his grace to a graceless culture. Imagine a culture living by biblical forgiveness 

Discussion of the divisiveness on display during last night’s State of the Union is likely to continue for days. In response, let’s model Christian behavior for a post-Christian culture. Let’s choose to honor the position of those with whom we disagree. Let’s refuse to slander them, speaking to them rather than about them. And let’s pray for God’s best for them as we share the forgiveness we have received. . .

(Excerpt from Christian Headlines. Article by Jim Denison.)

 

 

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Paul Cirillo
May 16, 2020

As I was praying this morning I remembered that the Bible says that unbelievers are taken captive by the enemy to do his will. Nancy Pelosi believes she is in a position of power, which she is in an earthly sense, but does not understand that she is a slave to demon powers. Compassion for her as an individual dictates that we beseech God to set her free from Satan’s power. Think how you would feel if you suddenly realized, which she doesn’t, that you are actually a pawn of demons? Frightening. May the Lord have mercy on her soul!

Truth in Love
February 18, 2020

Saint Paul specifically tells us that it is God who judges those who “are without,” meaning, those who are not saved. (See 1 Corinthians 5:12, 13.) The sins of people in high places are seen by all through the media. Should we as Christians react with shock at the sins of those in the world? Weren’t we all in that trap before Christ washed us in His blood? I for one am thankful that I was and still am a “nobody” so that my sinful past life is known to God only and a few people who knew me! Let’s rather judge ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31).

joan garvey
February 17, 2020

I think that was Jesus who said that, and Jesus knew those who belonged to Satan as opposed to those who sinned. I used to feel this way but was reminded that only GOd has the right to judge because He is the only one who knows who is written in the Lambs book of life (-: At one time I was just like Nancy Pelosi but….amazing grace !!!!

Joan

Cathy
February 12, 2020

I have great respect for the position of Speaker of the House. However, I have terrible fear of the person who currently occupies that seat. Nancy Pelosi’s actions and agenda show she is an enemy of God. Instead of concern for the well being of the citizens she “serves”, the policies she and her team supports, if not curtailed, will bring horrific demise to our great nation. There is an abundance of revealing information about Nancy Pelosi’s background that shows how corrupt she is, interested only in herself and her own agenda.
My prayer is for the honorable seat she holds, that it will soon be occupied by someone worthy of respect, someone we will not fear but who fears God; someone who has genuine concern for the people he or she represents and serves.

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Bill
February 11, 2020

Ms. Pelosi’s recent actions simply make it more obvious to all how much she needs our prayers and God’s regeneration.

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Barbara
February 11, 2020

I believe that the “enemies” Jesus tells us to pray for are not the same as those who are actively seeking to destroy our country and humanity in general.There is a difference between those and a boss who picks on you or your neighbor who keeps throwing garbage over the fence into your yard.

The Pelosi, Clinton, AOC + 3 agenda, along with Soros, intend to destroy America and usher in the end time, one world government.

I pray for God’s righteous people to succeed and that our enemies fall into their own traps and snares whilst we escape in safety.

I ask the Lord for wisdom and knowledge with understanding.

“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” – Luke 16:8

I pray for our brethren and the unsaved but not for Satan’s seed.

“I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” – John 17:9.

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    joan garvey
    February 17, 2020

    I think that was Jesus who said that, and Jesus knew those who belonged to Satan as opposed to those who sinned. I used to feel this way but was reminded that only GOd has the right to judge because He is the only one who knows who is written in the Lambs book of life (-: At one time I was just like Nancy Pelosi but….amazing grace !!!!

    Joan

      Barbara
      February 18, 2020

      Many wolves in sheep’s clothing. Righteous discernment is needed.

Ron Bangert
February 11, 2020

Jesus spoke to me a long time ago, “you cannot legislate conviction”.

Political parties represent many ideologies, beliefs, etc., on many topics and issues, from many moral & ethical views. Thus we gave ‘representatives’.

The Moral Majority movement in part addressed the Progressive movement in the Democratic party in the 80’s and politically activate the silent majority which included the Church at large. The more Christians promoted Conservative & Family values into the Republican platform, progressives attacked Godliness in every form, local, state, national. Thus, the battle for the soul of our Nation.

Polical Correctness (Humanism & the New Agers)is now the Religion of the Progressives (they love syncretism) and Republicans a mix of Christian/Judeo Religious beliefs. We are in a Spiritual Battle, thus the Church has been given spiritual weapons for our warfare, to be delegated in our War Rooms, defeating the enemy of our souls….in The Secret Place. Tearing down strongholds and every lofty thought to Christ.

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Niel S. Atkinson
February 11, 2020

We need to get tough. Our God is a man of War ! Not some pussy whipped person hiding in a corner. He often sent his Men out with specific instructions – “Destroy Them”

Those words, His Commandments – Destroy Them – should resonate in us day & night !!!

Niel S. Atkinson
[email protected]

Note: you may publish my reply anywhere for I am not ashamed of the Gospel !

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vicki romans
February 11, 2020

Father forgive us for judging this lady that you love, help us to see this from you viewpoint.
help us now move forward with your truth, in Jesus name amen. Thank you Lord for all your goodness.

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Brenda
February 11, 2020

Amen and Amen! We must not forget when Jesus overturned the tables in the Temple. It was a righteous anger because of His love for His Father and the sacred places. He sees everything in the hidden places & will reveal everything in His time as we continue to pray! Isn’t that what He just did when she tore up the speech in front of everyone? Our God is revealing everything! Praise God! He is able! Vengeance is the Mine saith the Lord God Almighty! Father, we ask You to give President Trump & his family & the people of the US forgiving hearts as You work this out for Your good in Jesus name. Amen!

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Ellie
February 10, 2020

Almighty Heavenly Father, loving Lord Jesus, Omniscient Holy Spirit, thank you for this constructive article. Please clearly show us what these steps (honoring, initiating and loving) really look like. Please open our hearts up to your almighty power of Holy Spirit, to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, to do Your will and Your way, and glorify You in every way possible. I just ask you these things in Jesus’ precious name, I accept them and I thank you for them. Amen.

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Gertrude Reif
February 10, 2020

Yes. I totally agree. We are the light of the world and we can’t let our light become darkness by giving in to bitterness. Praying for those we are angry with is a powerful antidote to hatred.
Matthew 6:23; Matthew 5:44,45.

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