Let's Offer a Different Politic to the World

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 2^nd 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 21^st 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).

I talked with some women after this event, and as we talked it came out that they were Christians, too. Yes, we are united by being American citizens. Yes, we are divided on certain issues and viewpoints. But no matter what, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Can we look, listen, love, and live differently than this world? Can we show our fellow people a better way forward? We stand together forever in Christ; let’s be a witness to the world by starting it now.