Leadership Thought: What Would It Be Like for Fox and CNN to Hold Hands?

Dear Friends,

In this toxic political world where it has not become uncommon to lose friends because of one’s political views, I thought how important it is for us to honor and respect one another. 

Regardless of whatever our differences of opinion might be, it is critical that we honor and show respect to one another. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans that we are to “Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring (respecting) each other” (Romans 12:10, Living Bible).

Let's be careful to treat everyone with the same respect and honor, regardless of who they are or what their views might be. Each one of us must be vigilant in making sure that we are not picking and choosing the recipients of our honor based on their political views. As Christians we are called to honor all people because they have been fashioned in God’s image,  and because He loves them just as much as He loves you and me. It doesn’t mean that we must always agree with those with whom we differ, or that loving people who think differently from us will be naturally easy. No, loving those with whom we disagree can be one of hardest things we are called to do, but it is one of the clearest indicators of the maturity of the faith we proclaim.

Someone said, “Respect is love in plain clothes.” It doesn’t masquerade its motives. It is what Paul says it should be in 1 Corinthians 13: "sincere and genuine, and without pretense."

A  number of years ago I attached a three by five card to my computer on which I wrote the following: “A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats the little man.” The quote was supposedly attributed to Thomas Carlisle.

Whether we consider someone little or big, rich or poor, like us or different from us, we need to honor and respect them even when we might disagree with them. If Fox News and CNN would learn to do this, I believe there might be a lot less rancor and division within our nation.

Today let’s make a conscious effort to look up to everyone and show them honor and respect.  Let’s treat people as if they are important to us because they are important to God.

If someone were to ask me to summarize what I have written, I would do so by simply and succinctly quoting the words of a man who left us very clear instructions on how to accomplish the challenge of honoring one another.  It is fashioned from just 17 words: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). In this politically charged world, these words may be a challenge to obey, but with God’s help and a little self-discipline, I believe we all can do it. And one of first ways we can begin to accomplish this is by erasing the “red” or “blue”  demarcation line that so often separates our friendships and recognizing that we are called to love each regardless of…yes, let’s be spiritual  bi partisan believers.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. On a personal note I might add, of all the people that needed to hear this message, I confess it is me!