An open letter to my church about the current political landscape

This chaos is not new:

Let’s be clear up front. Racism is sin. Anyone who marched or assembled on belief of manmade hierarchy isn’t Christian according to Christian doctrine (Gal. 3:28). We are all created in the image of God. However, this letter isn’t about racism. This letter is to those in my church who have identified with one of the two political parties and now you find yourself at increasing disillusionment. This is for you.

There have always been out of control “Zealots” and “Roman sympathizers” Jesus (and Christian history) had to correct. Both groups claim to follow God but try to create a true kingdom in a wrong way. This doesn’t work. The end doesn’t justify the means in real Christianity. They both end up in sin and creating the very types of societies they claim to reject. 

In the last week (and year) we have seen this very scenario play out. The same one that has been playing out for thousands of years many times over. 

Both of these groups (Zealots against the politics of the day and Sympathizers who support it) have consistently through history used the Lord’s name in vain. Meaning, they took action under the banner of God that wasn’t actually of Him. Both sides miss the mark and damage the name of Jesus. Both sides justifying sinful means (actions) to win what they consider a “good” end. This never works. 

Jesus is about another Kingdom:

Jesus brought a new kingdom. It begins in the heart. Hate and vengeance are traded for forgiveness and charity.

Love in the Bible (khesed, Hebrew or agape, Greek) is more like a promise of committed continual acts of charity. In my home and church, we define Biblical love as doing good unto another independent of their capacity to reciprocate. That’s right, even my 12-year-old defines love like this. Real Christians trade revenge for love and trust.  We love our “enemies” and believe that they are not actually the enemy, but victims of the real spiritual enemy. We trust that God will make all things right (Rev. 21:4). 

Christ sacrificed immeasurable personal rights and His personal safety to demonstrate love to those that hated him. His actual followers should do the same. Christians today keep responding with “you go first.” I can only imagine Jesus saying, “I already did.” Moreover, the “you go first” attitude is evidence the person’s heart doesn’t actually get Christianity or Christ yet. 

There are a lot of people that want to weaponize the Gospel.

Christian love can only be expressed by people who know deep down they were (or still are) just as lost in sin and evil as their enemies (Rom. 3:23). They finally see that God chose to love them immeasurably while they were still a total mess and didn’t deserve it (John 3:16). In light of this, they finally get how love (charity) works. It’s an immensely kind response they don’t deserve (Rom. 6:23). Their hearts become full of gratitude, and humility takes the place of pride and arrogance. The Christian Gospel (euangélion) isn’t a weapon to be used against others, it’s good news that there is a surgical scalpel that can cut the cancer out of our own hearts. You could live forever in heaven. You are the one that’s been sick, and you need the good news (Matt. 7:5).

No doubt there are countless “Christian” people who wave Christian flags and wear Christian t-shirts that aren’t actually Christian at all. They weaponize Christianity– using the spiritual scalpel on others that is meant to be used to save their own hearts. 

Let the Bible speak:

Let’s lean into the famous sermon from Jesus. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children 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 own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” -Matthew 5:43-47

Let’s also let the Apostle Paul speak up. 

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary:

‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:9-21

This is true Christianity, and this Kingdom awaits those who follow Jesus. But true Christians don’t idly wait, anticipating this reality. True Christians work to bring the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven (Matt. 6:10). True Christians work to bring the Kingdom to those around them– those they work with, their neighbors, and even their enemies. That is why in Christianity, the end does not justify the means. The end is accomplished and done in Christ. Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to honor Him in the “means.”

To my Christian liberal and conservative friends: 

To my more conservative Christian friends:

Let’s be clear up front. Your movement is not perfect and it is not heaven. Christ’s ultimate kingdom can’t be stolen away or lost. It’s already solidified and every temporal kingdom in this fallen world will pass away and make way for it. Expect our manmade systems to fail us. Expect the systems you made to fail you and your children. They all will fall at some point. Hang on because things will get worse before Christ comes back. No need to panic, the mission might be tough but Christ’s real kingdom will never fall. Yes, vote kingdom values, but place your hope and peace of heart in the promises of Christ. Commit to work with and understand your eternal family members, no matter what party they vote for. Commit to redeem, rather than defend, your party’s spiritual failure.

To my more liberal Christian friends:

Let’s be clear up front. Your movement is not perfect and it is not heaven. Hope in a new manmade system is equally empty. All through history we see humanity trade suffering for another version of suffering. You are absolutely allowed to have dialogue about better systems but don’t give your heart to a passing away world. The true kingdom where all is truly fair and just is done and eternal and already coming! In the meantime, hang on because things will get worse before Christ comes back. Yes, vote kingdom values, but place your hope and peace of heart in the promises of Christ. Commit to work with and understand your eternal family members, no matter what party they vote for. Commit to redeem, rather than defend, your party’s spiritual failure.

To those I am called to steward:

The world is lost. We are not. We are also not at war with each other. Our allegiance is first to Christ’s Kingdom. That’s your true family. Like you prefer a sports team, you can prefer a political party. But, 1,000 years later when you are in heaven, it’s your true allegiance that will remain. We know how the story began. We know what went wrong. We know what the solution is. We also know that the fix has already begun. Christ has died and is risen! He has gone to prepare a place for His people, us. We trust in the Lord, and live in accordance with our name. We are Christian. That means you are not lost, and you worship with your eternal brothers and sisters. Act like it. You have an eternal glorious family. Hold your head up, and place your trust where it belongs, in the power of Christ.

Tune in online or sign up to join us live, at Trinity Church. Christ is King! #familyfirst

*pictures: https://sites.google.com/site/zealotmovement/; https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-the-garden-of-eden-reveal-about-gods-plan-for-redemption.html; https://nextlevelchurch.net/project/lamb-donkey-elephant/;