I recently went to a local “town hall” meeting, where
the area representatives presented what has been going on in Washington, DC,
and fielded questions from local people. It was quite the experience. Questions
about immigration, gun control, education, and health care came up. More than
questions, though, what was clearly communicated was the tension, pain, anger,
and uncertainty surrounding our political system. As people applauded, booed,
or made rude remarks, I felt more and more burdened.
Shame on us. That is
what hit me. Shame on us. We have become such bad listeners, such a sour
community as Americans. We are talking about issues of critical importance,
decisions that affect entire nations. But we are leaving unaddressed the
underlying issues. Jesus said, “You have heard the rule, ‘You shall not
murder,’ but I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be liable for
murder” (Mt. 5:21-22). We can be so jaded by our emotions and perceptions of
others that we are missing out on an opportunity to love. We are getting to the
point in our society where we are so angry with our neighbors that we are
guilty of sin.
What makes this especially disturbing to me is that it
even happens among Christians. On the one hand, Christians are still people,
frail and faulty. But on the other hand, God has given us the Holy Spirit. We
can do better, and anyone who follows Jesus and has committed themselves to his
way has an obligation to walk the hard path of love. We have no other option;
Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13). Jesus chose a
traitor, a political radical, government employees, blue collar workers, and
everything in between to be his closest followers. And Jesus has commanded us to walk in his Way, his Reality, and his Life. Here are some ways we can begin to do a better job:
1.
LOOK
Every person is
created in the image of God. But we are tempted to view people primarily
through a political lens. We are seeing others as taxpayers or welfare
recipients, immigrants or citizens, Republicans or Democrats. We are labeling
people as so many other things, rather than starting with the view that this is
God’s child. This is a person for whom Jesus died. This is a person that Jesus
wants to live forever with him. We are called to see people through God’s eyes
first. Look properly at the people around you, and you will see that they are
part of your heavenly family- whether they know it or not. “But look at what
they believe!” you might say. “That is so outside of God’s Word!” It doesn’t
matter. They are God’s child. If Nehemiah could get along with the king of
Babylon and Daniel was dearly loved in his time, we can look at people through
the same eyes- through the eyes of our
Father in heaven. We see people across the political aisle and across the world
through the same lens. We look with God’s eyes.
2.
LISTEN
James reminds us, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak,
slow to anger, for the anger of people does not produce the righteousness of
God” (James 1:19-20). We are called to listen. Jesus tells us to listen to his
word and listen to others. First of all, we know where the world is headed:
destruction- and that’s as much scientific as biblical. The 2nd law
of thermodynamics says that a (closed/ isolated) system will always head toward
chaos. Scripture reminds us that this world will pass away (Matthew 24:35), but
it is also quick to remind us of the second point. We know where we are headed:
eternal life. God opened up our finite system to the infinite. Jesus is
eternal, and by his power we, too, will live forever. So we should have some
peace as we approach conversations about budgets and bazookas and health care
and education. Do we need to get the last word in? No. Jesus will. We know
that. Let’s listen. “But I already know what they are going to say!”, you might
think. Chances are, you probably don’t. Ask them about their background, what
has shaped their lives, why they are passionate about politics, etc. Don’t have
an argument about “right or wrong”- that is exactly what the snake wanted in
the garden. And he is winning in many communities, and among many Christians.
Let’s listen to others.
3.
LIGHT
People today think the world is going to come to a
terrible end through natural disasters or nuclear warfare. Children are scared
to go to school because of shootings and bomb threats. No public place is safe
anymore. We live in a dark world, illuminated only by the LED lights emanating
from our technology- a light that leads us further into fear, depression, and
loneliness. Jesus said that we are the light of the world. That
means that 1) the government is not the light of the world, 2) a political
party is not the light of the world, 3) a lobbyist group or any other political
action group is not the light of the world. Christians are the light of the
world. But when we succumb to the powers of darkness (John 3), we give up on
being the light in our communities that God wants us to be. We can demonstrate
a different way forward. We can guide people as they try to handle the many
struggles of 21st century life. We can be an example of how to walk,
because we walk in the light, where everything is clearly seen for what it is. We are looking through God’s eyes, after
all.
4.
LOVE
Hate comes naturally to people. Anger, rage, disgust.
It is easy to possess these qualities and motivations. It is part of the
chemical make-up of people to feel such things. Therefore it is merely playing
into our animal instincts to act on our anger and rage. It is exactly the kind
of life we would expect if there weren’t a God. But God has made himself known.
God has revealed himself to be our maker, and has declared that we are made in
the image of God. And God is love. So, to be made in the image of God is to
embrace love with our whole being. That means sacrifice, putting what’s best
for another person ahead of our own needs and wants. And it even means loving
our enemies. Nothing should distinguish a Christian from other people in the
world more than his or her ability to embrace an enemy. And let’s be clear: if
we live in America, our fellow American citizens are not the enemy. No people group is our enemy. Paul makes
the claim in Ephesians that “flesh and blood” are not the enemy at all, but
rather the “rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers over this present darkness
(Eph. 6). We show radical love to all people. It’s the one command we have as
we face this world: Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John
13).
