“Do not say that it is naïve to think that we can love everyone, even our enemies. It is not naïve; it is Christian. Do not say that it is politically naïve to be forgiving of those who hurt you. It is not naïve; it is Christian. Do not say that it is naïve to make sure the basic needs are met even for the least of these. It is not naïve; it is Christian.” -From my sermon “The 1st Commandment and the 1st Amendment.”
I grow weary of Christian who on Sunday worship the Prince of Peace and the rest of the week align themselves with political perspectives that support warring with our enemies. I grow weary of Christians who pray on Sunday, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” and spend the rest of the week holding grudges and seeking revenge. I grow weary of Christians who on Sunday profess their love for the one who said when you do it to the least of these you do it to me and then spend the rest of the week supporting politicians and political platforms that step on the least of these. “Just as you did it to the least of these,” says Jesus, “you do it to me.”
I grow weary of the cognitive dissonance in which some Christians blissfully exist, not realizing that while on Sunday they claim the moniker of Christ, the things they profess the rest of the week belie the teachings of the name they claim.
If you don't want your politics to match your religious beliefs, fine with me. If you don't need authenticity in the balance between what you confess on Sunday and what you profess the rest of the week, fine with me.
But do not pretend that you are practicing what you preach. Do not pretend that you are talking the talk and walking the walk. Do not pretend it is alright with God.
God expects a life lived with authenticity not a life lived practicing this kind of false duplicity. God expects us to strive to be the people we claim to be, not merely claim to be the people we are supposed to strive to be.
So, don't tell me that the things Jesus taught are naïve when placed within the realm of governance; don't tell me that they are good things to say. Tell me that your faith is big enough to take the first step into matching your Sundays and your weekdays. Tell me that you are so committed to the teachings of Jesus that you will risk loving your enemy. Tell me that the image of Christ is carved out in every face you see and that you could never sit idly by as politicians and big business conspire to step on the lest of these.
Tell me that God's love lives in you; that in you it knows no bounds; that it is bigger than any party loyalty and more valuable than anything wealth could ever bring you. Tell me with your words. Tell me with your actions. Tell me with your political positions. Tell me with your life.
I grow weary of Christian who on Sunday worship the Prince of Peace and the rest of the week align themselves with political perspectives that support warring with our enemies. I grow weary of Christians who pray on Sunday, “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” and spend the rest of the week holding grudges and seeking revenge. I grow weary of Christians who on Sunday profess their love for the one who said when you do it to the least of these you do it to me and then spend the rest of the week supporting politicians and political platforms that step on the least of these. “Just as you did it to the least of these,” says Jesus, “you do it to me.”
I grow weary of the cognitive dissonance in which some Christians blissfully exist, not realizing that while on Sunday they claim the moniker of Christ, the things they profess the rest of the week belie the teachings of the name they claim.
If you don't want your politics to match your religious beliefs, fine with me. If you don't need authenticity in the balance between what you confess on Sunday and what you profess the rest of the week, fine with me.
But do not pretend that you are practicing what you preach. Do not pretend that you are talking the talk and walking the walk. Do not pretend it is alright with God.
God expects a life lived with authenticity not a life lived practicing this kind of false duplicity. God expects us to strive to be the people we claim to be, not merely claim to be the people we are supposed to strive to be.
So, don't tell me that the things Jesus taught are naïve when placed within the realm of governance; don't tell me that they are good things to say. Tell me that your faith is big enough to take the first step into matching your Sundays and your weekdays. Tell me that you are so committed to the teachings of Jesus that you will risk loving your enemy. Tell me that the image of Christ is carved out in every face you see and that you could never sit idly by as politicians and big business conspire to step on the lest of these.
Tell me that God's love lives in you; that in you it knows no bounds; that it is bigger than any party loyalty and more valuable than anything wealth could ever bring you. Tell me with your words. Tell me with your actions. Tell me with your political positions. Tell me with your life.
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