Christian Living

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Christians are becoming disappointed with the witness that fundamental/conservative Christians are presenting to the world when it comes to the political/social conversation.
Instead of love, they show hate; instead of joy, they show anger;
instead of patience, they show a haste to judgment; instead of respect, they show rudeness;
instead of cooperation, they show condemnation.

Romans 12:17-19, 21: “Do not repay evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord….Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Christian Nation
What does Christ think of a nation of many Christians, proud to consider themselves a Christian nation, who show bias and prejudice, is unmerciful to those who hurt and suffer in the US, and shows disrespect to our elected leaders? Yes, the Bill of Rights gives us freedom of speech and the right to assemble. However, Christians who call themselves Republican and Tea Partiers are conducting themselves in an unchristian manner. Our constitution provides a remedy to remove tyrants and criminals from office when they have acted inappropriately. Vengeance, however, belongs to the Lord.
Why worry about the unborn when you refuse the mother and child reasonable healthcare? Why beef about rising taxes and then complain about needing additional services like roads, health care, sanitation, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, etc. provided by tax dollars? Why do you rant against greater government interference but want regulation of industry and Wall Street? Why censor books when you have not read them to determine for yourself what the issues are? How can you show love when you rant, rage, and spew every week on the Nightly News?
Matthew 25:34-40: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ … And the King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Christian Response
Please understand that there is a place for anger and an appropriate venue for sharing outrage at inappropriate dealings of government and the men and women who have been elected to serve in it. Yes, Christians should be involved in politics to affect change in our society for the betterment and welfare of us all. Christ left us a social responsibility for the poor, the afflicted, the war-torn, the hungry, and the sick. Government programs like welfare, health care, retirement benefits and ways our forefathers put into place in order to fulfill some of our obligations to those Christ called us to serve. God-fearing men have stood for change in Washington DC to prosper us all and serve the greater good. As a country, we stand for those who need help around the world. Jesus returned to the temple and spoke of love for God and one another after clearing the merchants from the temple. Jesus said “In your anger, sin not” (Ephesians 4:19). Consider the way in which you rage against the government!
I Corinthians 13:1-8 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all that I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Christian Voice
To have the right to speak as Christians and minister to others, we must show love and the fruit of the Spirit in our dealings with the world. Galatians 5:22 “But he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” The Tea Party Movement and other conservative “Christian” movements lack these qualities. They do not speak for me or for Christ. They sully the name of Christ and embarrass those of us who also carry His name. “You will know them by their fruit.” The fruit looks rotten from where I sit. Take a page from MLK, Jr.’s playbook: peaceful resistance, prayer, and humility. These years later, we can respect the Christian men and women who led the Civil Rights Movement. Can we respect Christians who lash out in hate?

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