While living in India from 2007 to 2014 I never once heard a discussion amongst Christians about being liberal or conservative. Even in the political environment of India it wasn’t so much about liberal or conservative values. However, when we moved back to the U.S. it became apparent that there is truly an ideological war taking place between what is considered liberal views and conservative views and then you also have what is being termed mainstream values.
As a nation, we are witnessing hostility between people with differing views on a scale I have not seen in my lifetime. Violent acts are taking place on both sides of the aisle claiming their rights. I do not believe that taking part in protests is the call Christ has given his church. We could all point to some instances where protests did make a difference in helping bring change to the political landscape or even help produce laws in the land. However, protests do not bring an eternal change to the corruption that is found in the human heart.
Jesus Christ’s protest concerning humankind’s sinful condition was not to call for His rights. As the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus is the Righteous Judge and it was well within His right to condemn us all to hell. God did not need to show mercy to any of us. However, it was His responsibility that He leaned upon to deal with evil and wickedness within the human soul. We even get a glimpse into His struggle to fulfill His responsibility when He prayed to the Father, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will (Matthew 26:39).” Jesus prayed this prayer not once but three times to show us the weight of being responsible as opposed to standing for one’s own rights. What is the responsibility that Christ has placed upon His church during the times we are living?
This is a time for all Christians in the U.S. to not boastfully stand and call themselves; Evangelical, Liberal or Conservative. We can call ourselves these things and pat ourselves on the back because we see ourselves through this lens but it does not make us in the right. We can be evangelical, liberal or even conservative and still have a heart that is not right before God.
The greatest sermon ever preached was by Christ Jesus and it only takes five minutes to read. In His sermon He speaks directly into the heart of His disciples. If we claim to be a follower of Jesus then it is worth us hearing and walking in obedience to His message from Matthew 5-7.
After the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, Durham, North Carolina, Washington D.C., University of California in Berkeley and Dallas, Tx, I believe all the more the church needs to heed Matthew 5-7 or we too will get sucked into Satan’s trap of hating those who hold to differing views than our own. This is not a time to get sucked into CNN or Fox News but a time to hunger and thirst after righteousness and to seek Him who is faithful to lead and direct us rightly and in accordance to His will.
Here is just a snippet of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-47)
God’s word to God’s people for today! Thank you Jesus, Amen!
As a nation, we are witnessing hostility between people with differing views on a scale I have not seen in my lifetime. Violent acts are taking place on both sides of the aisle claiming their rights. I do not believe that taking part in protests is the call Christ has given his church. We could all point to some instances where protests did make a difference in helping bring change to the political landscape or even help produce laws in the land. However, protests do not bring an eternal change to the corruption that is found in the human heart.
Jesus Christ’s protest concerning humankind’s sinful condition was not to call for His rights. As the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus is the Righteous Judge and it was well within His right to condemn us all to hell. God did not need to show mercy to any of us. However, it was His responsibility that He leaned upon to deal with evil and wickedness within the human soul. We even get a glimpse into His struggle to fulfill His responsibility when He prayed to the Father, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will (Matthew 26:39).” Jesus prayed this prayer not once but three times to show us the weight of being responsible as opposed to standing for one’s own rights. What is the responsibility that Christ has placed upon His church during the times we are living?
This is a time for all Christians in the U.S. to not boastfully stand and call themselves; Evangelical, Liberal or Conservative. We can call ourselves these things and pat ourselves on the back because we see ourselves through this lens but it does not make us in the right. We can be evangelical, liberal or even conservative and still have a heart that is not right before God.
The greatest sermon ever preached was by Christ Jesus and it only takes five minutes to read. In His sermon He speaks directly into the heart of His disciples. If we claim to be a follower of Jesus then it is worth us hearing and walking in obedience to His message from Matthew 5-7.
After the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, Durham, North Carolina, Washington D.C., University of California in Berkeley and Dallas, Tx, I believe all the more the church needs to heed Matthew 5-7 or we too will get sucked into Satan’s trap of hating those who hold to differing views than our own. This is not a time to get sucked into CNN or Fox News but a time to hunger and thirst after righteousness and to seek Him who is faithful to lead and direct us rightly and in accordance to His will.
Here is just a snippet of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:43-47)
God’s word to God’s people for today! Thank you Jesus, Amen!
RSS Feed