Beating Others Down in the Name of Jesus

Yesterday at the Presbytery Meeting, my dear friend the Reverend Rick Brooks pointed out that people come to the meetings ready to vote on the issues. I think he's right. I hope that everyone came to the meetings informed and prepared. The information has been available on line through the denomination long enough to look at. But I also hope that people will be open to the leaning of the Holy Spirit. If they are led in a way to change their vote I pray they would.

Still, Rick is right. People come to the meetings knowing how they will vote.

But this raises another point, nobody has even come to life in Christ by losing an argument.

Often people seek the "right words" so that they will not let Jesus down when talking about the Lord. This is not a bad thing either. Yet, often people feel like when talking to others about their faith that they have to convince the other. Like somehow winning a holy debate will win the day for Christ.

I don't think so.

This is pretty ironic considering how many words I use in a day, both spoken and written.

Maybe it is better for us to begin with our eyes, ears, hands, and hearts. These things present Christ to the world in ways our arguments never will. Actions do speak louder than words. So watch, listen,and learn. Seek and respond. Because beating others down in the name of Jesus has never suited the kingdom of heaven.