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It’s no secret that our world seems more divided than ever. Whether it’s political parties that can’t agree on a nation’s budget or religious groups that spew hatred toward each other, there always seems to be a tension in the relational, spiritual, and political climate of our world.

Below are several different things to incorporate into our relationships with people we don’t agree with. Loving people because Jesus called us to, showing respect by managing our demeanor, avoiding fruitless arguments, and empathizing with others to see life from their lens are all wise and helpful approaches. It seems too difficult a task to put differences aside, but it isn’t. 

We could pre-decide that we’re going to choose people over policies and relationships over rules.  What if…

…we exhibited patience?
…we chose not to be offended?
…we quit taking everything so personally?
..we changed the degrading way we talk to others?
…we focused on what we did have in common?
…we chose the big picture?

Let’s not forget that God so loved…the world. Every single soul on this planet, past, present, and future, He loves. While we’ll never have His capacity to love people, we are still called to love others. 

Followers of Jesus can’t quote enough Bible verses to force someone to believe in Jesus. What we can do is represent Jesus by showing love, respect, and empathy, all covered with equal parts truth and grace. 

At the end of the day, the point of loving people we disagree with is unity. Whether the issue is petty or prominent, we can choose people first. Because if we, as followers of Jesus, want people to know our Savior and Lord the way we do, that’s where we have to start. Let’s represent Jesus well so that others want to know Him. And when they do, the Holy Spirit is quite capable of leading them to adjust any viewpoints that are inconsistent with His truth.

In observance of Labor Day, Regal Automotive Group will be CLOSED on Monday, September 6th

“Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:41  

Which business model do you prefer: One provides the bare minimum in terms of service and quality? Or one that offers a little something extra, over the top service with a quality product? We all love when a company goes above and beyond what’s expected – when they go the extra mile. Why? Because when it’s not required or expected, it shows that the company values their customer, which often creates loyal customers.

When Jesus spoke about going the extra mile, He wasn’t referring to customer service but to a Roman law imposed on the people. The law stated that Roman soldiers could order any citizen to carry their weapons or equipment for a distance of up to one mile. No matter what you were doing, the law required that you drop everything and obey. You can imagine how the people felt about that! So when Jesus said, “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two,” they weren’t exactly thrilled.

In today’s context, it would be comparable to having a very demanding boss who expects so much from you that at times it seems unreasonable. Yet you do even more than he or she expects, even if it goes unacknowledged.

What Jesus was saying to Christians is this: “Even if your superiors are incredibly difficult, don’t just do the bare minimum. Go above and beyond – exceed their expectations. But be careful to watch your motives. Don’t act in this way because you’re expecting a raise or hoping to be promoted; do it because you want to be a positive witness for Christ” (My paraphrase). Do it for the glory of God!

If you want to communicate a character and a lifestyle that is beyond the norm; if you want to be a positive witness for Christ – then ask yourself if you’re willing to go the extra mile. The world is always surprised when people do.

Ingredients

• 2cups chopped fresh broccoli or sliced fresh cauliflowerets
• 1/3cup chopped onion
• 1/3cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
• 1/2cup Original Bisquick™ mix
• 1cup milk
• 1/2teaspoon salt
• 1/4teaspoon pepper
• 2eggs

One of the greatest distinctions between a wise life and a foolish life appears in how we choose our friends. When we value personality over integrity, we’re being foolish. Jesus was a friend to all, but He was also very intentional about choosing His inner circle. We must show the same intentionality. Choosing our friends wisely is not an excuse to become elitist or act like were better than anyone else. In fact, the right friends should help us to become more humble and willing to serve others from all walks of life.

Our friends have profound influence in our lives, especially during moments of vulnerability and at crossroads in decision-making. Surrounded by the wrong voices, you might be encouraged to pursue a divorce when God is calling you to fight to save the marriage. The wrong voices might enable unhealthy habits when a true friend will provide loving accountability. To attract wise friends, we must first commit to being a wise friend.

Start where you are by living with integrity at work, home, online and in all parts of your life. Wise words and wise actions attract others who want to live with wisdom. But when you speak and act with selfishness, foolishness and a disregard for God’s Word, you’ll draw peers who share those same mindsets. Be intentional.

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”   Ephesians 4:26

“Don’t let the sun set on your anger because the devil will get a foothold in your life.” ( Paraphrase of Ephesians 4:26.) This is one of those verses for couples before marriage. Why? Because differences exist in any kind of relationship – think about conflicts you’ve had with friends, family, and even colleagues.

We will all be tempted to lose our cool and become angry, but we need to deal with the situation then and there. Don’t let it simmer and prolong, making the problem grow even greater. Confront it and confess it.

How do we do that?

1. Don’t Lose Your Cool: Losing our temper is not only sinful, it’s destructive for both ourselves and very often for others. Try to remain calm BEFORE losing your temper.
2. Act vs. React: Choose how you ACT rather than allowing anger to dictate your reaction. So, act in a positive way. Get hold of yourself; it’s that important.
3. Confront when Necessary: Confrontation is often necessary to clear the air and address issues and even misunderstandings that lead to disagreement and frustrations. But be sure to check your attitude when you confront another. Be firm, but not mean, when someone steps out of line.
4. Confess It: If you’re the one in the wrong,  confess your sin first to God and then to that person. Ask for forgiveness and move on. Don’t make excuses for your behavior – that will only further irritate the person you’ve hurt. Keep it simple: “I was wrong. I’m sorry.” This doesn’t mean that every person we wrong will accept our apology, but God’s Word is clear: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12: 18)

How do you respond when angry? Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Confront it. Confess it. And remember that Jesus got angry, but never sinned. Jesus is the perfect example of how to deal with anger in the best possible way.