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SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- We live in a day of conflict and confusion. Conflict is associated with disagreement, discord, dissension, differences, battles, war, struggles and everything else that robs us of peace, serenity, satisfaction and harmony in life. In struggling with solutions to solve conflicts we will never eliminate all that is undesirable and disagreeable. A certain amount of tension and conflict may be good for us. Too much of it can be destructive.
I have read the Bible enough to remember that history's greatest teacher, a man named Jesus, who once lived in the ancient city of Nazareth, said: "Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and he drags you into court and you are thrown into a debtor's cell"(Matthew 5:25, TLB)
The larger context of this passage is from "The Beatitudes" which come from the historic "Sermon on the Mountain" in which Jesus talked about how to live in relationship with others. It would be a good thing if this were required reading, study and discussion in academic classes, on every level, in the study of sociology, civics and social psychology.
Are we giving up on how to live peaceably in our personal and community lives? We can all feel sorry for those who have no peace in their own hearts, minds and lives. When that is the case it dangerously spills over into the lives of other family members, the school and church, community and government, county and state, the nation and other nations.
We must not sacrifice our core values and deeply held convictions in order to gain the favor of another. There can be no compromise with genuine truth. David W. Clark, president of Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL, wrote in the Spring 2008 issue of Current, the university's premiere magazine, about "Discerning Truth in a Sound Bite World". Clark penned: "It is easy to go adrift in our beliefs if we have not gained the ability to discern and communicate truth from error and fact from fiction."
In many respects we live in a hardened secular society. If it is secular, it is not related to religion or the church. It is worldly, nonreligious, laic, profane, temporal and mundane. The secular is not known to be sacred or godly.
We also live in a political climate that is concerned with governmental and civil affairs. The bureaucratic, administrative, legislative and the executive characterize it. Laws and regulations, taxation, the defense of the nation and thousands of other things seem to be part of that which is related to the political.
Religion is linked to the pious, godly, spiritual, saintly, and sanctified ways of life. We describe it with words like reverent, righteous, conscientious, meticulous, exact, theological, God-fearing and church going.
Jennifer Johnson Gilnett in the Response magazine of Seattle Pacific University, wrote about "A new small world. A shrinking world. A world without borders." And concludes with this thought provoking question, "How will we respond to this new small world?"
Every age has faced problems much like ours. A good solution may be found in the words of a first century writer and journalist, Paul of Tarsus, who wrote: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). We would all do well to read the New Testament daily. It holds answers for our most serious questions and solutions for our most difficult problems.
When you are confused about what you read, see and hear, recall the words of the American humorist, Will Rogers, who said: "When you are confused, it's when you don't know enough about a thing to be worried." Truth will set you free.
Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 1600 columns and widely known as a motivator utilizing enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems make him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher.
Used by Permission of Assist News Service www.assistnews.net
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