Required reading
Discussions (Vol 2) by Robert L. Dabney (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read 'Christians, pray for your country'.
My summary
This week we read Dabney's thoughts on Christians as patriots.
Dabney teaches us that:
(i) a season of political agitation is most unfavorable to spiritual prosperity;
(ii) war causes Christians to mourn;
(iii) civil feud is the most bitter of all.
Then Dabney suggests that Christians should:
(i) pray (including confession of sin);
(ii) consider his own person concern in this matter;
(iii) study the things which make for peace.
What grabbed me
I liked the encouragement to promote peace: 'Every Christian must study the things which make for peace. All must resolve that they will demand of others nothing more than their necessary rights, and that in the tone of moderation and forbearance. Yea, that they will generously forego all except what duty forbids them to forego, rather than have strife with brethren. We must all be magnanimous enough to forbear the language of threatening and reproach, language which evinces no courage, to acknowledge the excesses of ourselves and our friends, and to make reparation for it, whether such reparation be offered on the other side or not. Instead of complaining in vindictive and bitter spirit of the extravagances of misguided men on the opposite side, each man should inquire whether there are not sinful extravagances on his own side ; and when it is necessary to remonstrate, do it in the tone of wounded love, rather than of insane threatening. In one word, let each party resolve to grant all that is right, and ask nothing else, " and lo, there will be great calm." '
Easier said than done. But peace is what we should strive for.
Next week's reading
Read 'A pacific appeal to Christians'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment