The Peaceful Duel
60-Second Sermon
English - November 13, 2019 16:00 - 1 minute - 858 KB - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsChristianity Religion & Spirituality sermon christianity religion one-minute second 60-second Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
James Shields was the Illinois state auditor, and he was fed up with reading the satirical articles written at his expense by a representative in the Illinois state legislature.
The author refused to retract his statements, and both men determined that the best course of action would be to fight in a duel. Just before they embarked in battle, the representative’s assistant convinced him to retract his articles, and the two would-be duelers stepped down in peace.
Shields, the state auditor, went on to serve as a senator and army general, and the representative whose articles almost changed the course of a country, went on to become the 16th president of the United States, none other than Abraham Lincoln.
Paul tells us that “if someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:17-18 ERV)
It’s easy to get offended and hold grudges, but we are called to show the love of Christ by doing all we can to live at peace with others and to take the first step toward reconciliation. You never know what kind of eternal impact it might have.