THIS NATION is more politically divided than at any other time in my life. The level of vitriol and hatred coming from both sides of the electorate is, at times, astonishing.
In addition, racial tensions across the country have increased. The divide between social liberals and conservatives over gay marriage and abortion has deepened. Anti-Christian rhetoric is on the rise. Random acts of terror are killing innocent people.
Evangelicals are at a fever pitch over these issues. We feel responsible to take action because we, as Christians, are identified by Christ as salt and light in the world. That means that we stand up for the things of God and shine the light of the Gospel, i.e., the spiritual salvation freely available to all through faith in Christ.
As a result of Christians striving to be heard about these issues, those opposed accuse us of being hateful bigots, of despising everyone who believes or lives differently from us. Many times, I think, Christians do sound hateful (as do many who disagree with us).
The fact that we Americans live in a free and representative democracy in which voting is not merely a right, but a civic responsibility, contributes to Christians working themselves into a lather as they take stands on issues and demonize and verbally attack political candidates and their supporters.
But that's not love.
And it doesn't fulfill the Great Commission, our primary marching order from Christ. We Christians, who are all sinners forgiven and saved by the love and grace of God, are specifically commanded by Christ to love others in return and to make disciples in the name of the One Who came to seek and save the lost, no matter what culture we live in. Sometimes it appears that some professing Christians have elevated political rhetoric and action above fulfilling the Great Commission, or worse, have allowed politics to completely replace the Gospel in their lives. But if we live or preach any gospel other than the love and mercy and grace and salvation of Christ, that is a fake gospel, a heresy. If we allow anger over a political or moral issue to be expressed as unkind or demeaning words directed at others, that is sin.
I believe that the loudest, most hateful elements within any group of people do not represent the majority. Whether it is people rioting in the streets, or picketing funerals, or those on both sides of politics and religion lambasting one another, the worst examples always get the most attention. That is unfortunate.
To be sure, politically active Christians do have valid concerns about real issues that are worthy of our attention and political involvement. But, ultimately, those issues are spiritual issues. The most powerful way to "fix the world" is for the world to be reconciled to God, through Christ. Our job, as followers of Christ, is to do the reconciling.
And we can't do that apart from love.
It is impossible to be effective ambassadors on behalf of a loving God to a fallen and broken world when we express our political concerns with ridicule and hatred, and elevate politics above the Gospel of Christ.
In addition, racial tensions across the country have increased. The divide between social liberals and conservatives over gay marriage and abortion has deepened. Anti-Christian rhetoric is on the rise. Random acts of terror are killing innocent people.
Evangelicals are at a fever pitch over these issues. We feel responsible to take action because we, as Christians, are identified by Christ as salt and light in the world. That means that we stand up for the things of God and shine the light of the Gospel, i.e., the spiritual salvation freely available to all through faith in Christ.
As a result of Christians striving to be heard about these issues, those opposed accuse us of being hateful bigots, of despising everyone who believes or lives differently from us. Many times, I think, Christians do sound hateful (as do many who disagree with us).
The fact that we Americans live in a free and representative democracy in which voting is not merely a right, but a civic responsibility, contributes to Christians working themselves into a lather as they take stands on issues and demonize and verbally attack political candidates and their supporters.
But that's not love.
And it doesn't fulfill the Great Commission, our primary marching order from Christ. We Christians, who are all sinners forgiven and saved by the love and grace of God, are specifically commanded by Christ to love others in return and to make disciples in the name of the One Who came to seek and save the lost, no matter what culture we live in. Sometimes it appears that some professing Christians have elevated political rhetoric and action above fulfilling the Great Commission, or worse, have allowed politics to completely replace the Gospel in their lives. But if we live or preach any gospel other than the love and mercy and grace and salvation of Christ, that is a fake gospel, a heresy. If we allow anger over a political or moral issue to be expressed as unkind or demeaning words directed at others, that is sin.
I believe that the loudest, most hateful elements within any group of people do not represent the majority. Whether it is people rioting in the streets, or picketing funerals, or those on both sides of politics and religion lambasting one another, the worst examples always get the most attention. That is unfortunate.
To be sure, politically active Christians do have valid concerns about real issues that are worthy of our attention and political involvement. But, ultimately, those issues are spiritual issues. The most powerful way to "fix the world" is for the world to be reconciled to God, through Christ. Our job, as followers of Christ, is to do the reconciling.
And we can't do that apart from love.
It is impossible to be effective ambassadors on behalf of a loving God to a fallen and broken world when we express our political concerns with ridicule and hatred, and elevate politics above the Gospel of Christ.