Prayer, Scripture study leads to solutions

The Rev. Dave Davis, director of church relations, Ottawa University:

The answer to this question can go myriad ways, depending on what the different beliefs are. No matter what the differences are, the first step is to pray, and prayer must continue throughout.

This helps prevent “me” from getting in the way. This prayer must be focused on the aspect that, whatever takes place, God through Christ is to be glorified. Pray asking for wisdom from the Holy Spirit as you study the whole of Scripture concerning the particular issue.

Pray for God’s timing for a peaceful discussion of the issue. In this discussion, both sides must listen to each other, responding back and forth with the phrase, “Did I hear you say …” In the midst of all this, the Lord will let you know whether this is really a war that needs to be fought. Remember to pray.

If the difference is over which church to be a part of, consider that as long as Jesus Christ is lifted up as the only way of salvation and the Bible is taught as the word of God, does it really matter which church to attend?

If the situation involves a cult or a totally different religion from Christianity, then model Christ’s love and pray for the Holy Spirit to show the relative what is right.

If the difference involves interpretation of Scripture, more prayer and time in God’s word will be needed. Patience also is necessary. Both sides must look at the Scripture together, making sure not to take a passage out of context. Read what comes before and after the passage in question, for the Scripture is not to be pulled apart to justify our own opinions.

Remember the Scripture calls for peace among believers. The call is for unity in Christ, not uniformity. The call of God is to rid our lives of sin, become like Jesus, follow Jesus, and in word and deed to glorify the Lord.

– Send e-mail to Dave Davis at dave.davis@ottawa.edu.

Win others over with respectful behavior

The Rev. James Taylor, pastor, Lawrence Heights Christian Church, 2321 Peterson Road:

The Apostle Peter gives us the best example for dealing with relatives who have a different belief system than we do. It is found in 1 Peter 3:1-2 as he is specifically talking to wives and how they treat their husbands.

He writes: “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.”

Christianity should be a demonstrative faith. People should be able to see a difference in our lives by the way we live. Unfortunately, all too often we try to cram our faith down someone’s throat.

That is not how people are won over. They are watching “your chaste and respectful behavior.” While the context of Peter’s remarks is husbands and wives, the application is across the board for any relationship.

One final observation is to remind them that you can go and lay flowers at the tombs of all the founders of the world religions.

Muhammad’s dead body is still in the grave. Siddhartha Gautama’s (Buddhism’s founder) dead body is still in the grave. Charles Russell’s dead body is still in the ground. Mary Baker Eddy’s dead body is still in the grave. L. Ron Hubbard’s dead body is still in the grave. Joseph Smith’s dead body is still in the grave, etc.

It is only Jesus Christ that you can go visit his empty tomb. Jesus Christ is the only one that death could not hold because he truly is the son of God.

That is why Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to Father but through me.”

– Send e-mail to James Taylor at j.t@lawrence-heights.org.