I've been saddened and disappointed by some political statements I've seen made by my fellow Christians lately. Maybe you have too. I'm not willing to go into specific political issues here because I have zero desire to moderate a war on my blog comments or Facebook wall, but I do have something of an exhortation for those of us who profess to follow Christ.
May we maintain a tender heart and an open mind. It is only with a soft, pliable heart that Jesus can do His work in us. When we harden our hearts against one people group or movement or political party, we are shutting down Christ's ability to display the gospel through us. Let's be realistic, no one political party is right on every issue and it's foolishness to believe so. Can we humble ourselves enough to recognize that "our party" might be wrong about some things? Can we seek to understand each other and have compassion instead of being so quick to vilify and write off others' opinions? Can we allow the gospel alone to direct our political opinions, rather than some blowhard talk radio host or cable news commentator?
If we believe the gospel, then we believe in the ministry of reconciliation we've been given. (2 Cor. 5:18-20) Have we forgotten this? Have we forgotten that Jesus said "blessed are the peacemakers"? How can we lob grenades at other people like we do and claim that any of that comes out of Truth or The Bible? People should be hearing our politics and saying "Wow, I just don't know if that much mercy and justice and love is possible!"
Guys, this might surprise you, but I've heard that there are Christian conservatives AND liberals. (Gasp!) So if we are to seek unity as the body of Christ, how could we possibly be so arrogant as to just dismiss the other side as a bunch of idiots? If you've ever gotten on Facebook or huddled up at a party to rail on "the left" or "the right", then you've just slammed a bunch of your Christian brothers and sisters. I can tell you as someone who lives in the middle politically, I've gone home in tears after the hateful words people spewed, not knowing the beliefs or opinions they took such delight in trashing were my own. It's unkind and it's unChristlike. I'm all for healthy discussion and I know that we will not all come down in the same place on every issue, but for the sake of our country, for the sake of the Church, and above all for the sake of Christ, we must do better by each other.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
