Ephesians 4:1-3, 29, Isaiah 58:2-5 — (Politics; Luke 4:16-21)
Ephesians 4:1-3 - Unity of the body of Christ
4 Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God. 2 Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, 3 and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together.
Ephesians 4:29
29 Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say.
Isaiah 58:2-5
2 They seek me day after day desiring knowledge of my ways like a nation that acted righteously, that didn’t abandon their God. They ask me for righteous judgments, wanting to be close to God.
3 “Why do we fast and you don’t see; why afflict ourselves and you don’t notice?” Yet on your fast day you do whatever you want, and oppress all your workers.
4 You quarrel and brawl, and then you fast; you hit each other violently with your fists. You shouldn’t fast as you are doing today if you want to make your voice heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I choose,a day of self-affliction, of bending one’s head like a reed and of lying down in mourning clothing and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
Do’s & Don’ts of Holiday Political Discussions
DO
Assume the Best
View people through the lens of Jesus…
Be Humble: "Humility should be rooted in our expanding awareness of how small we are and how truly great God is." — Adam Hamilton
Be Gentle
Be Patient
Accept each other with love
Keep the oneness of the Spirit
Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say DON’T
Don’t get pulled down into arguments
Don’t let foul words come out of your mouth
Our “Starting Point” Should Be Jesus — WE CAN'T SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM OUR FAITH
The Bible doesn’t give us black & white answers to modern political issues