Rhetoric

We are just a couple of weeks removed from a contentious Republican primary in Alabama in which every candidate professed to love Jesus, the Constitution, guns, and President Trump (not necessarily in that order) and about three months away from the general election. I’m not excited about that.  Why?  Because in the recent elections it seems that the church has forgotten our true calling; our first love, so to speak.

              We must remember that the church is not a political organization. In fact, the church should transcend politics. Jesus and the early church leaders were not concerned with how the church affected the governments of the time…and they were harsh, tyrannical governments. At the same time the church in America has an unique opportunity that wasn’t present in New Testament times: the opportunity to vote. I, for one, believe we should take advantage of that opportunity to try and shape a nation whose morals and identity reflect the nature of God.

              What we have to be careful with is our rhetoric. We are to promote truth, honesty, purity, and virtue. (Philippians 4:8) yet speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The nature of today’s politics makes that difficult. We need to learn to pick and choose the battles in which we brandish our indignity as Christians. In the great scheme of eternity some things are important and some aren’t. I think the command expressed in 2 Timothy 2:23-26 is important to keep in mind these days: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

Never shy away from Biblical truth but always measure your words.  Will the subject and the way you present it shine light on God’s nature, desires, and purpose? Will it help draw someone to Christ?

 

Say good things about your Savior and about His Church.

 

Bro. Tony