Out of the Heart. . .

I don’t know about you, but I’ve become very discouraged this weekend over all of the posts made on Facebook concerning the presidential election. I, personally, have chosen to not “take sides” publicly. It’s not that I don’t have very deep convictions about why I voted the way that I did, but I strive not to cause division and alienate half of the people who may read my blog. The purpose of my blog is to encourage folks to delve into God’s Word, copy it – write on their hearts every word, and hopefully, my musings lighten your day and give you something to think about. But this weekend, I have been shocked by the “nastys” that have come out from those who “lost” and those who “won.”

As Christians, how should we behave? Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Sometimes, that’s very hard. Paul urged the church in Ephesus to “be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Kindness is quickly becoming a lost quality, isn’t it? Jesus said, “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). We, as Christians, should be “all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (I Peter 3:8-12). Are you being courteous? refraining your tongue from speaking evil? seeking peace?

My friends, Jesus said, “those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man” (Matthew 15:18). I believe that also means what you say online. How will others know that we are Christians? Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth . . . (I Corinthians 13:4-8a). Wow! May our actions and words show our love for Christ and for each other, for we are simply blessed, Courtney