AN OPEN LETTER TO CHRISTIANS IN POCAHONTAS COUNTY

"Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and no town, no household divided against itself can last" (Matthew 12:25).

"A house divided cannot stand," So spoke Abraham Lincoln , paraphrasing the words of Jesus, as he surveyed the plight of the Union fractured by division and hostility. We now summon forth these same words to bear upon the hearts and minds of all citizens who value the community that is Pocahontas County as a trust.

At this time it is clear that deep fissures of mistrust, hostility, and loathing threaten the viability of Pocahontas County to hold together. Recent events such as factory closings and calamitous floods have caused some of us hardship as well as inducing an apprehension toward the future. Most of us agree that Pocahontas County has serious problems that cry out to be addressed. Yet these problems will not be constructively addressed if we the citizenry quarrel among ourselves. Furthermore, as Christians, we hold that God will not honor us in our prayers for Pocahontas County if we harbor vindictiveness and unforgiveness toward other citizens.

The scriptures are quite clear. Jesus teaches that anger toward another is at heart murder, while to express contempt and loathing toward another incurs the judgment of hell fire (Matthew 5: 21, 22). Jesus enjoins us that "when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too" (Mark 11:25. cf. Matthew 6:12, 14, 15). The Apostle Paul attests to the truth of reconciling love when he writes, " Any bitterness or bad temper or anger or shouting or abuse must be far removed from you—as must be every kind of malice. Be generous to one another, sympathetic, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ" (Ephesians 4:31, 32), and also when he teaches to the Church, "As the chosen of God, then, the holy people whom he loves, you are to be clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other if one of you has a complaint against onther. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same" (Colissians 3: 12, 13).

As persons professing belief in Jesus Christ, and thereby out of a desire to follow His teachings, central among them His commandment to love each and every person even to the point of our personal suffering, we commit to the following promises:

(1) We commit to uphold the intrinsic diginity of each person as a creature made in the image of God, irrespective of his or her political views and activities.

(2) We commit to honor each of our elected government officials, as well as honor those who serve on appointed boards and committees. We commit our respect and prayerful blessing to each person (I Peter 2:17). For those of us in such positions of leadership and authority, we commit ourselves to humble, respectful, and unselfish service.

(3) We name as sin the works of slander, manipulation, hatred, vengeance, and bitterness, and ourselves repent of such sin as be in us, and further resolve by God's grace and our own will to never do such dark deeds again.

(4) We commit to listen with respect, consideration, and prayerful deliberation all views pertinent to the weighty issues facing Pocahontas County. We recognize that some issues are complex. Responsible deliberation of some issues requires much study and analysis, more than many of us are willing or able to do, therefore, we commit to a humble stance to these issues. We recognize that on certain issues any decision that is reached may affect some of us positively and others of us negatively, therefore we commit to seek the well-being of others as highly as that of ourselves (Matthew 7:12), and will rejoice with those who gain while helping those that are disadvantaged (Romans 12:15).

(5) As citiznes we commit to give a measure of our talents, abilities, energy, and time to the strengthening of Pocahontas County. This includes expressing our well-considered input into the issues facing our county. This is not to say that we cannot speak boldly and passionately about issues, or that we cannot expose error, malfeasance, or illogic, although in all our ways we commit to respect each person in authority or under authority in this county.

We believe the crisis in Pocahontas County is not at root the danger of flood or the loss of jobs. The biggest issues facing our county are not about the Greenbrier River, the landfill, the McClintic library, the school cafeteria, the polity of the PDA, the flood control ordinance, and so forth. The larger issue is whether or not we are willing to conduct ourselves in a civil, respectful, considerate, and helping way toward each of our neighbors that are our fellow citizens of Pocahontas County. We believe that Pocahontas County can only thrive as a place of harmony and peace if God pours forth His blessing. The scriptures attest, "Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work, whereas the wisdom that comes [from God] is pure, peaceable, kindly and considerate, full of mercy and good work, without partiality, without hypocrisy. The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice" (James 3:16-18).

We hereby sign this promise, praying that God in His mercy anoints us with discernment, compassion, and strength to this end. And may Pocahontas County be a place for all people to live together in peace.

"God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them" (I John 4:16).