Words that Hurt and Words that Heal

     In the past few days, I have received  emails from a company owner wanting to give me something for free.  He indicated that there had been a boycott of his business (I was blissfully unaware until he brought it to my attention) over his statements concerning our current president and those who voted for him.  As he elaborated in his emails, he said he did not mind losing customers who supported the president whom he declared was racist.  My heart sank.  I have purchased from this company through the years and enjoyed their products.  However, as my father used to tell me, business and politics really do not belong together.  If we have beliefs we are free to express them but when name calling and judging come into your business, it is bound to produce negative consequences.  I plan to politely write to this company CEO (since he emailed me) and let him know that I will no longer be purchasing his products.  This is the type of thing happening more and more in our country where people are discriminating against those with whom they disagree.  What ever happened to polite conversation?
     As always, the Bible has something to say about what we as Christians should be doing on a regular basis.  The Scripture comes from Paul's letter to young Pastor Timothy (1 Timothy 2:1-4):
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  In this passage, Paul is encouraging Timothy to remind the church at Ephesus to pray for the lost and those who are in pain.  Furthermore, he includes a call to pray for leaders and those in high positions as well.  Why?  So that the Ephesians and all of us can lead a quiet and peaceful life which is "godly and dignified" in every way.  He also says that this is pleasing in the sight of God.
     At the time of his writing to Timothy, the current ruler of the Roman Empire was none other than Nero.  For those who do not know the name, he was the Caesar (ruler) who burned Christians alive
to light his garden at night or sent them to die in the arena.  His wickedness and cruelty were well known, but Paul called Christians to pray for him and all in authority that they might come to the knowledge of truth.  Certainly Paul and many other believers did not condone or agree with this ruler but they followed the Lord's call to lead a quiet and peaceful life.
     Here is what my study Bible footnote relates concerning this verse regarding leading a "peaceful and quiet life":  "Quiet refers to the absence of external disturbances; 'peaceful' refers to the absence of internal ones.  While it remains uncompromising in its commitments to the truth, the church is not to agitate or disrupt the national life.  When it manifests love and goodness to all and prays passionately for the lost, including rulers, the church may experience a certain amount of religious freedom.  Persecution should only be the result of righteous living, not civil disobedience."  We are called to holy living before our neighbors.
     If we call ourselves by the name of Christian, we cannot ignore parts of the Bible that are sometimes hard to follow through on.  Nevertheless, God calls us to a higher standard and when we obey, it pleases Him.  There have been many leaders in the past with whom I disagreed, but I always prayed for them as Paul prayed for Nero.  Complaining, name calling, and hurling threats do not make for a peaceful and godly life.
    As for the owner of the business, I do not know if he claims to be a Christian, but he will go on my prayer list.  We must all remember that as believers we are ambassadors for Christ.  When we hurl epithets at others, we are really slapping the face of our Savior.  There are times when silence is golden.  My mother used to remind me often that "if I did not have anything nice to say, I should not say anything at all."  Let us be known as reconcilers, peacekeepers and run to God in prayer instead of blasting social media with hurtful things that can damage relationships.  Lord give us all wisdom in what we say, do and think that we might be pleasing in Your sight each day!  Selah!


P.S.  If you would like to know what business this is, please private message me on Facebook and I will let you know.