Heaven Speak

Listening to all the candidates for Presidentt of the United States of America, I am struck with one thought in particular: Whatever truth there may be in their words, little is godly as so much is attack at another's position rather than a clear statement of what they are about.  So much of what they have to say is meant to undermine the opponent and often couched in a way that skews the position of the others rather than present the actual belief in order to provide a relief of opinions for the American people to make an informed decision.

This partial truth and caustic declarations about the opponent makes for good television ratings and serves as red meat for the party faithful but it is not to be believed or taken at face value.  This talk is the work of the tongue that James warns about in chapter three of his epistle as "not coming down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic" (v. 15).  And while it may have become acceptable fodder political candidates, it is not acceptable discourse for the child of God.

Truth, even hard or painful truth, is the only acceptable speech for God's children.  And, moreover, that truth is not used as a dagger to dig into another's soul.  "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ" (Eph 4:15).  Heaven speak is meant to be clear and to delineate right from wrong but its foundation is love and its goal is to build up and unite not tear down and divide.

It seems that heaven speak is not the language of politicians but it ought to be ours.  While we may be left with no choice but to vote for one whose discourse is divisive and degrading, we do not need to embrace it as a model for ourselves.  It is the body of Christ, not the body politic that is to be where we look for spiritual direction and examples for life.

Only may the church live up to its calling of being "the light of the world, a city on a hill" (Matt 5:14).  May we, as the body of Christ, not look to Washington to right our nation but instead, as the church of our Lord, work to establish righteousness in ourselves to serve as examples for our communities.  And let us fill our conversations with heaven speak to offer hope to others.  Jus' Say'n