Comments on: And Now That You Have Voted… http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/2008/11/and-now-that-you-have-voted/ Building lives that make God look great Sun, 13 Jun 2010 05:58:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Myke Shawhan http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/2008/11/and-now-that-you-have-voted/comment-page-1/#comment-556 Myke Shawhan Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:04:12 +0000 http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/?p=14#comment-556 To Anonymous... Sometimes when we think we are in a group of like-minded people, we say things that might not be too tactful, but are really not meant to offend an individual. As Bryan has pointed out, we can disagree sharply with ideas, yet still respect the person's right to their opinion. But, that is not an excuse for someone to be rude. And if that’s what you experienced, I certainly understand your feelings. However, unity is not achieved by people feigning agreement, or by individuals keeping themselves out of the conversation due to fear. Unity, at least the kind we seek as Christians, is unity in the Truth (not unity despite glaring differences). Another side to this that you may consider; though there are many issues of disagreement to choose from, I would dare to say the one most of us in the Church fall back to is the abortion issue. Now this may or may not be an issue you disagree with others in the Church about. But as an example, if you did, this is an area in which unity is NOT possible without agreement to the truth. Murdering unborn babies is an atrocity - and if Christians get a little perturbed with a candidate on this issue (or supporters of that candidate – see Rom.1:32), I am certain you can understand why. Every strictly political issue is up for grabs when it comes to picking a side and retaining unity. However, moral outrages such as abortion are non-negotiable. To Anonymous…
Sometimes when we think we are in a group of like-minded people, we say things that might not be too tactful, but are really not meant to offend an individual. As Bryan has pointed out, we can disagree sharply with ideas, yet still respect the person’s right to their opinion. But, that is not an excuse for someone to be rude. And if that’s what you experienced, I certainly understand your feelings. However, unity is not achieved by people feigning agreement, or by individuals keeping themselves out of the conversation due to fear. Unity, at least the kind we seek as Christians, is unity in the Truth (not unity despite glaring differences).

Another side to this that you may consider; though there are many issues of disagreement to choose from, I would dare to say the one most of us in the Church fall back to is the abortion issue. Now this may or may not be an issue you disagree with others in the Church about. But as an example, if you did, this is an area in which unity is NOT possible without agreement to the truth. Murdering unborn babies is an atrocity – and if Christians get a little perturbed with a candidate on this issue (or supporters of that candidate – see Rom.1:32), I am certain you can understand why. Every strictly political issue is up for grabs when it comes to picking a side and retaining unity. However, moral outrages such as abortion are non-negotiable.

]]> By: Kristen http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/2008/11/and-now-that-you-have-voted/comment-page-1/#comment-555 Kristen Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:27:39 +0000 http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/?p=14#comment-555 Thank you Bryan. I had to explain to my 6 year old son why we needed to pray for our president-elect. He at first did not want to do so. After explaining to him some of the very same things you stated he agreed to pray. His prayer was filled with love and concern and it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for your teaching Bryan. I can see I have grown under your shepherding. My attitude will be different toward this president than it was with Clinton. Thank you Bryan. I had to explain to my 6 year old son why we needed to pray for our president-elect. He at first did not want to do so. After explaining to him some of the very same things you stated he agreed to pray. His prayer was filled with love and concern and it brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks for your teaching Bryan. I can see I have grown under your shepherding. My attitude will be different toward this president than it was with Clinton.

]]> By: Anonymous http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/2008/11/and-now-that-you-have-voted/comment-page-1/#comment-554 Anonymous Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:32:20 +0000 http://blog.lifelinecommunity.com/?p=14#comment-554 Dear Church Family, Bryan's blog just brought me to tears. I have often felt like a less loveable person in the eyes of my fellow conservative brothers and sisters because of my political views. I'm deeply touched that Bryan has urged us to submit and honor our authority. And I'm not just saying that because my guy won! I would also like to address what the Bible says about our dealings with one another. I have truthfully been disappointed by some of the comments I have heard (or seen written) by some in our body. I would like to remind everyone that God calls us to treat each other gently and to do everything in our power to preserve unity for the sake of the gospel (Eph 4:2-6, Eph 4:29-32, Ro 15:5-7, Col 3:13-15, I Cor 8:9-13 just to name a few). Some of us may feel like weeping and some of us may feel like celebrating, but no matter how we feel we should ask ourselves before we open our mouths "will this edify the body". I am not saying that we should live in fear of our opinions! Rather that God honors unity above our rights. Peace and Love in Christ. Dear Church Family,

Bryan’s blog just brought me to tears. I have often felt like a less loveable person in the eyes of my fellow conservative brothers and sisters because of my political views. I’m deeply touched that Bryan has urged us to submit and honor our authority. And I’m not just saying that because my guy won! I would also like to address what the Bible says about our dealings with one another. I have truthfully been disappointed by some of the comments I have heard (or seen written) by some in our body. I would like to remind everyone that God calls us to treat each other gently and to do everything in our power to preserve unity for the sake of the gospel (Eph 4:2-6, Eph 4:29-32, Ro 15:5-7, Col 3:13-15, I Cor 8:9-13 just to name a few). Some of us may feel like weeping and some of us may feel like celebrating, but no matter how we feel we should ask ourselves before we open our mouths “will this edify the body”. I am not saying that we should live in fear of our opinions! Rather that God honors unity above our rights.

Peace and Love in Christ.

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