Matt Ayers
has this writing in his Tea in Solitude site called Implications
of the Image of God: Don’t Slander written on Feb. 1st.
It is also
copied below.
It’s really hard to be courteous to everyone
always. Actually, it seems impossible.
Not long ago I wrote a Saturday Sermon about
a text in the New Testament that commands Christians to be courteous to all
people (Titus 3:2). I wrote that sermon because there was a lot (I mean a LOT)
of negative talk about presidential candidates going on among Christians.
Interestingly enough, the verse just before
that verse about being courteous to all people reads, “Remind the believers to
submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always
ready to do what is good” (Titus 3:1, NLT). Then verse 2 reads, “They must not
slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and
show true humility to everyone” (Titus 3:2, NLT).
I think the most important part of that
verse in light of recent events is “They [read “we”] must not slander anyone…”.
As hard as this command is for many, are we ready to obey it? Is it even
possible?
Jesus raises the bar even higher than the
text from Titus. He says, “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You
must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say,
if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call
someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if
you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matt. 5:21–22).
Really? I can’t even call someone an idiot if I’m a Christian? Yes, that’s
correct.
One of the reasons it seems so impossible to
live up to this New Testament standard is because it seems like slander is such
a common, natural thing (especially in political conversations). Its hard to
swim against that current. When all the conversations around us seem to be
slanderous, it becomes the norm. It becomes natural. Thankfully, we have the
Holy Spirit to convict us and empower us to not simply follow the trends.
Christians, we are to be set a part.
So, why is it so important that we don’t
slander? Why is it so important that we don’t hate others? The answer is
simple. It’s because all people (yes ALL) are made in the image of God. This
has serious implications for how he think about people, talk about people, and
treat people—especially people who aren’t like us. When we slander, hate, and
name call, it proves that we’ve forgotten this core biblical truth that is
intended to orient all of our human relationships.
There are (at least) three major
implications of the fact that all people are made in the image of God. First,
because all humans are made in the image of God, we are all eternal beings (not
eternally pre-existent,
but our souls live on forever once created). Second, because we’re made in the
image of God, we are all unique. No two people are the same because God is
involved with the creation of all people. His precious fingerprint is on every
human being. Third, because we’re all made in the image of God, we’re all
equal. All barriers, whether it be economic, racial, religious, or gender, do
not determine the value of a person. All people are equal because we’re all
made in God’s image (this doesn’t mean that all are saved, by the way).
Lastly, while it seems impossible, the Holy
Spirit is here to help us. He not only reminds us of Jesus’s teaching, but also
sustains us with his abiding power. Let’s cooperate with the Holy Spirit by
setting trends within our areas of influence of being courteous to all people.
Let’s not do this simply because it’s the “right” thing to do, but let’s do it
because all people are made in God’s image.
This is an
excellent message. Except for Christians
purposefully being mindful of this character and refusing to take part in the
worldly efforts in slander, there will be no influence to respect the life of
people as simply being God’s Creation.
The culture attacks all life and everything of God. An easy way to stand apart today is to refuse
to slander. Maybe that stand alone will
provide the way for witness for Jesus.
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