One of the many things I struggle with is controlling my tongue.  I was recently reminded of how easy it is to allow an impulse to give free rein to one of the smallest, yet at times most destructive parts of the body, On September 14th, during President Barak Obama’s joint address to Congress on Health Care/Insurance Reform, a Republican congressman from South Carolina shouted out, “You lie.”  There was an immediate negative reaction from both Republican and Democrat congressmen, congresswomen, and senators, who believed that Joe Wilson broke political decorum by his outburst.  Wilson later apologized to the President, which the President accepted, however, the consequences and ramifications of Wilson’s actions continue to reverberate around the political corridors of power, as the House of Representatives voted by a party line vote to officially rebuke Wilson for making the remark.

The reason I bring this issue to light is because it is just one of the latest illustrations of how lacking in civility our nation is becoming.  During President Bush’s two terms as President, it seemed that a week didn’t go by without someone calling him a liar, or Hitler, or casting him as intentionally seeking to do harm to our nation.  However, I wonder if Wilson’s rebuke will stop him or others from throwing mean-spirited epitaphs at their political foes.  Sometimes we can pretend that this is only something that happens in Washington, D.C., but it can happen right here at Lebanon PC as well.  Because we all may have different viewpoints and perspectives on who we want to be, or who we wish could remain President, we must be careful that we do not allow that perspective to influence our love for one another.

This is much harder to do than to say or write.  Our words must always seek to be salt and light to others, especially those we seek to be in fellowship with through Jesus Christ.  It is always easier to befriend those most like us, but the reality is that we are called to be united with all who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Therefore, the question is: Are we going to allow political differences to divide us, especially when the bonds of our faith should unite us in what is really important, which is faith centered in the Risen Christ.  I would call on everyone in the congregation to therefore, never presume that everyone that they are talking to are all of the same political mindset, and therefore restrain from making any statement that could be seen as political name calling.  Our congressional representatives have some major decisions to make in the upcoming months, and we should as good citizens of the United States discuss our view points in a well informed manner.  However, at no time should we forget that we are first and foremost citizens of God’s Kingdom, and therefore must represent Him in everything we say and do.  This is an awesome and at times awkward responsibility, but it is our job nonetheless.  Just remember that for every politician we might not like, there is at least someone in our congregation who thinks they’re great.  Therefore, be respectable, be loving, and be gentle, and most of all, let us control our tongues, so that we can show the world that despite come political differences, we are Christians by our love for one another.

In the Love of Christ, Pastor Bob