How you treat people is a witness of faith

Give it up — Apathy * Blame * Guilt * Impatience * Negativity * Envy * Worry * Impurity * Loneliness * Hatred * Pride * Bitterness * Sorrow * Complaint * Disunity — Giving up.

As it gets closer to Election Day in November, I fear that all of those words at the beginning will come to fruition.

You almost get a sense of them when you look at social media.

There are many posts on both sides of social and political issues almost daily and sometimes on a minute-to-minute basis.

The responses to some of them are very mean spirited.

You can even get a sense when you talk to people.

There is even currently a group in America that is trying to blend Christianity and Jesus’s words together as being the true gospel.

As I was growing up, I was introduced to America being a melting pot of various beliefs and religious groups.

I have always tried to abide by that respect for other religions.

I was also always told two things you don’t talk about are religion and politics in the same breath but nowadays it seems that people do it on a regular basis.

I have always considered myself a middle of the road person.

Yes, I know what the scriptures say about being middle of the road or as the Bible puts it “lukewarm.”

But over the years I have always tried to find compromise between different opinions that both could agree upon.

So as we approach the November date, how do people of faith talk to each other about volatile issues? We in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) always say that we agree to disagree on issues.

I guess I should probably say some of us.

We say that even though we do not agree on issues that we can come around the communion table and put those differences aside.

Scripturally it says that if you have an issue with another person you should not come to the table.

I must admit I’m like Linus Rawlings in “How the West Was Won,” where he tells Eve, “I’m a sinful man.”

On social media, I know the right trigger words or phrases to set off a couple of my longtime friends on a rant and rave.

Sometimes, they even begin to attack each other.

Yes, “I’m a sinful man.”

So how do we resolve this issue?

How do we agree to disagree peaceably according to scripture?

You may even disagree with my words in this article.

Here are some suggestions based on my study of how to agree to disagree respectfully.

I think the first thing that anyone whether on social media or in person they should take time to prayerfully think about what their response will be.

I was a Rotary member for a long time and still abide by the four way test.

The test consists of four questions that Rotarians should apply to all that they think, say and do.

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Those four questions can be applied to all our lives in our daily walk whether it be a home, with family, friends, at work or on any social media platform.

Also one should not hit the “send” button on any social media platform or text messaging too quickly.

Once sent, you cannot delete the message. I know some say you can, but in my experience the receiver still sees the message you sent.

But what does the Scriptures say about agreeing to disagree in a respectfully manner.

Do they give us any advice?

In Matthew 5:21-24, Jesus warns us of the consequences of avoiding conflict and instructs believers to seek resolution with others before giving offers to God saying, “So Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

It means we can even get God upset with us if we do not resolve conflicts with each other peacefully.

So how does God want us to resolves conflict?

Jesus clearly explained the first steps to resolving conflict is to go privately to the one with whom you have an offense and seek to restore the relationship.

Followers of Jesus explain to one another the wrong doing and its consequences.

Social media allows us however to “hide” behind our phone or our computer screens and not see a person face-to-face or their reactions to our words.

It makes it easy often for us to make “bold” statements we would not originally do in person to another human being.

Jesus says, “Go and tell them their fault and offer to give and receive forgiveness.”

The Apostle Paul tells his co-worker Timothy, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people. When someone disagrees with what you are saying, maintain a gracious gentle, and patient attitude instead of becoming angry and defensive.” 2 Timothy 2:24.

So what’s the bottom line?

How you treat people is a witness of our faith.

It matters more than any stage, platform or social media we speak, write or text on.

Rev. Frank Chlastak began work as senior minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Poplar Bluff in 2015. He is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has served congregations of the Christian Church in Louisiana, Arkansas, Virginia, Oklahoma and Missouri.