II Timothy 2:24, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,”
Today’s strawman Monday will be brief and to the point, reflecting on this year’s just-concluded election cycle.
Wasn’t shouting each other down raised to a whole new level this year?
Wasn’t listening to each other relegated to the back burner, as an obvious “sign of weakness” in those who do it?
Is there any place in this morass for the servant of the Lord to live with integrity?
Yes, there is. And it is in remaining steadfast and continuing to listen to others, regardless of how that is regarded.
To us, it is a very small thing if someone disparages us for the cause of Christ. Disparagement is not eternal; Christ’s cause is.
We must listen, and accurately represent the views of those with whom we differ. In fact, there is no other way to hold a discussion–they give it their best shot, we give it our best shot, then we look at the two best shots and see which one is the closest to God’s truth, as expressed in His Word.
Constructing a strawman out of someone’s views so that we can laugh at their views is not ethical.
Our fellow humans are also made in the image of God. As His image-bearers, they deserve to be heard, even when we disagree with them. And if we engage them in discussion of our differences, they deserve to get that discussion in a normal speaking tone, without their views being twisted and misrepresented.
So let’s bring back civility to our culture. Unsaved people may not understand, nor go along with us, but let’s bring it back anyway! “As far as lies within us . . .”
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