Last week, the concept of “American exceptionalism” got attention through an exchange between Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin. Both employed the term to define something about American society. What was most particularly disturbing was Vladimir Putin?s statement in an op-ed essay in the New York Times: ?And I would rather disagree with a case made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States? policy is ?what makes America different. It?s what makes us exceptional.? It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask the Lord?s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.?. . . Two important observations about Putin?s essay and Obama?s response:

In this passage, Paul gives us the reasons why Christians should not sue one another in civil law courts.

President Obama?s actions on Syria have been puzzling and difficult to assess. He declared that he would hold Syria accountable for crossing the now famous ?red line? he drew a year ago. Under his orders, the military moved all the necessary equipment?planes and ships?into place, ready to strike Syria. Major Arab nations, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, especially, supported his efforts. Secretary of State John Kerry issued several qualifiers about the nature of the US strike, even stating it would be ?unbelievably small.? The US then continued to issue a series of forewarnings that enabled Syria to move its WMD stockpiles to more secure areas.

Paul gives us two major reasons why we should practice Church discipline.

?The pursuit of happiness:? In the Declaration of Independence, this phrase is connected with ?life and liberty? as the three important rights ?endowed? by the ?Creator? as a ?self-evident? truth. What exactly did Jefferson mean by ?happiness?? How has Postmodern culture re-defined this important word?

Paul gives instructions of how to deal with rebellious, defiant sin in the church.

The atrocities occurring in Syria defy all comprehension: Over 100,000 killed, over 2 million refugees, and a quarter of the population displaced. On 21 August, in the suburbs of Damascus, the brutal Assad regime killed over 1,000 of its people via rocket-launched chemical weapons. In addition, hundreds were burned by the chemical weapons, while others inhaled the gas with horrific consequences. Many of the victims were children. It is all unimaginable! Bashir al-Assad now joins the ranks of Mussolini, Hitler and Saddam Hussein, barbarians who used poison gas against their own people.

In Chapter 4, Paul gives us a method of how we hold one another accountable in Christ.

Paul teaches on being a part of the temple of God, and also being part of the inheritance of God.