\We have an obligation to engage in what is happening in culture. Jesus walked into culture and asked hard questions and brought clarity with love, honesty and hope…we should do the same. Jesus was in the middle of controversy but with a grace that allowed others to hear what He had to say while not void of arguments from the cultural and political leaders of His day. But He chose to speak life and truth into the current national climate of the first century. As Christian’s we are empowered to bring unity to division because that’s where God’s blessing is commanded (PSALM 133:1).
I PROPOSE 2 courses of action:
1. CIVILITY
Jesus knew how to love and serve the government when they weren’t in charge and feeling the effects of a political power that didn’t seem fair. During Christ’s life on earth, the New Testament Christians were routinely marginalized, persecuted and even put to death by the Roman state. Even though this was the “normal” for the Jesus’ community, honoring and cooperating with and praying for the Roman officials was part of being a follower of Jesus. But it’s hard to honor leaders and their followers when they are dishonorable. Jesus was not protesting against the government when He didn’t agree but was submitting to all Roman authorities in compliance. Even when His followers wanted Him to riot because the authorities were being dishonest and unjust, Jesus chose not to resist but to submit to their rule (John 18:11-15, MARK 12:17, 1 PETER 2:13-17, ROMANS 13:1-2)
2. HONOR
Cultures and communities can go toxic. History proves that. Bringing honor into a situation is one of the ways to remove the toxicity and add dignity, consideration and reverence. While we can and should feel strongly about our political and social issues as followers of Jesus, we are called to a higher place of authority and respect. Whether we agree or disagree with those around us, in showing honor to others, we are respecting God (1 Samuel 2:30). Not only is it the right thing to do but it can be one of the most powerful ways to show the world the authenticity of our faith. / SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 2:17
BECAUSE IT’S NOT ABOUT BEING POLITICAL BUT IT’S ABOUT BEING GOSPEL
Your politics enforce your “political views.” The Gospel enforces Christ’s “good news.” So be a bringer of the truth not “your opinions.” Everyone has a deep desire to know the truth. Our hardest part is differentiating truth from opinions. Truth is factual and opinions are emotional. Truth is accurate and opinions acclimate. Truth authenticates and opinions speculates. You can’t have the Gospel without grace. We need the graciousness of God. So be a gracious person. Graciousness is one of the most potent postures you can make when engaging with others. We believe graciousness overrules combativeness at the end of the day. Graciousness is this: Having a forgiving attitude and a compassionate position while walking in wisdom with those who’s attitudes and beliefs differ from yours. So be gracious towards others than being defensive towards others. / SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 4:5-6
7 WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH OTHERS WHO MAY DISAGREE:
STOP LABELING EACH OTHER AND START LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER
What if we saw each other as creations of God and not as our political labels or positions? When we see each other as sons and daughters in the “same family”, we have a starting point to engage with others that isn’t political to me but personal to God.
RESIST CONDITIONAL HONORING
We are quick to dismiss others who don’t agree with our political views, parenting views, etc. We seem to have drifted into a conversational norm of “ I will respect you if you respect me but if we disagree then ‘screw you.’” People are going to disagree with you. Simply writing them off and calling them a name or putting a label on them doesn’t make us better as a community.
BE DISAGREEABLE WHILE NOT BEING DISHONORABLE
When the actions of your leadership disagrees with your view of what leadership is, you have a choice to make. Choose to express your “disagreement” while living submissively to the political leadership and loving unconditionally with your relationships.
ENGAGE WITH MATURITY
It’s hard when we don’t get our own way. My kids have taught me that. They throw a tantrum, hit, throw and scream. That’s what immaturity fosters. Maturity provokes civility, conversation and peaceful discourse. When we choose to riot, rebel and resist, it communicates a message to others that is immature. God wants us to be mature as Christians. Not just mature but “Christlike.”
INSTEAD OF CREATING WALLS, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
Jesus chose to go into difficult places, not avoid them. He was more pro-woman than any political figure in history considering the context of the first century. He was more “politically right” with his beliefs about Scripture, loving the religious, supporting the Roman military and leading with charity. He also was more “liberal” with the way He chose to love: Jesus fed the hungry, reached out cross-culturally, identified with the poor, the immigrant, loved the religious and fought for the outsider. , etc.
REMEMBER THE TRUTH OF AN ISSUE IS DIFFERENT THAN THE PERSON TIED TO THE ISSUE
The issues that we are reading about and talking about aren’t just policies on paper but are tied to human beings connected to these issues (families, friends, co-workers, etc.). The truth of a matter doesn’t change the truth that we love the person connected to the matter. Grace and truth work together to give us posture and narrative that builds unity in our community.
PURSUE CHANGE OF HEART NOT OPINION
Jesus constantly confirms it’s not about being right with others but doing right to others. Jesus is more concerned with the heart of someone than their political opinion of someone. Jesus is seeking a change of heart and mind in his opponents, not just to win an argument. His desire is to bring them to a place of experiencing forgiveness, peace and unity.
We have an obligation to engage in what is happening in culture with honor and civility. Bringing honor into a situation is one of the ways to remove the toxicity and add dignity, consideration and reverence. Jesus modeled civility by not protesting against the government when He didn’t agree but was submitted to all Roman authorities in compliance when necessary. We should resist being political and engage by being Gospel through graciousness. Graciousness is having a forgiving attitude and a compassionate position while walking in wisdom with those who’s attitudes and beliefs differ from yours.