Perilous Times and the Comfort of Psalm 133
We live in perilous times. I don’t think many are willing to dispute this, but same may see it as alarmist. What makes this season particularly difficult for many Christians is the sobering reality of having 2 presidential candidates who are not only problematic but are in the estimate of many, unfit for office. This is producing angst in many churches where conscientious Christ followers differ (and at times, greatly differ) on the path forward for our country as well as our biblical responsibility with in it. Couple this with the sad reality that many are approaching their privilege of voting with an “eyes closed tight” approach hoping that if they do so, they won’t have to deal with the grim reality of the situation. Even in our young church with our meager 60-70 folks, we find our viewpoints to be passionately divergent.
Yet, I am hopeful. Not that we will elect the right president in November or that an ideal candidate will emerge that will unify the American body of Christ. No, my hope lies in the reality that Satan has not only lost the war (as we all know) but he has lost this battle. How so?
With the advent of the obvious implosion that has occurred in the Republican Party, the assumption that evangelicals will cast their obligatory vote with their lot is most assuredly in question. Additionally, many Christians are finding themselves reexamining what it means to biblically engage in the political system of a democratic society. Here are some of the questions many are wrestling with: Can a conscientious Christian who is pro-life cast his or her vote with the Democratic Party even when that party not only supports abortion rights but seemingly with an enthusiastic spirit? Does pro-life mean unilaterally voting from a “one issue” perspective? Is this even a viable reality anymore? Does a commitment to pro-life issues transcend more than the unborn and are their other means provided for us in our society to fight for these values that are non-political in nature? Does the Republican platforms of “free market capitalism, gun rights, and immigration really reflect essential Christian objectives and do they give us the best chance to advance the Gospel? How about the traditional Democratic objectives of social justice in the areas of race, poverty, and educational initiatives?
Many are rightfully finding that the church and these parties make for odd bedfellows. It is here that I find hope for our young church at Grace and other churches like us who are committed to the authority of the Bible and the centrality of the Gospel as the centerpiece of the Christian life and mission. Christians are now forced to live in the world of theological nuance and engage in the complexity of a multitude cultural issues. When we do this, our church like other churches are becoming beautiful tapestries of unity within diversity. Is this not the hodgepodge make up of Jesus’ initial band of misfits?
In Psalm 133, we are reminded “how pleasant and good it is when God’s people dwell in unity.” The unity that we find here is the unity of being God’s people…undeservedly finding His mercy, receiving His grace and being dearly loved. The picture of God’s redemptive work is often pictured as a family feasting at a table filled with glorious provisions. God declares through His Word that people of all cultures, colors and creeds find redemption in him at the table of His glorious grace.
It is here that the church, if we are willing to open our eyes, is called to be a colorful display of God’s grace as people from all walks of life, all political persuasions, diverse cultural backgrounds and marred moral make ups. We endeavor and patiently bear with one another in the midst of our differences looking to Christ make strangers into family.
So Grace Church, what is my dream…my prayer for us? It is that our Gospel family would be a family of sinners saved by grace who are rich and poor, conservative and liberal, Republican, Democrat and Libertarian, male and female, and black, white, and everyone in between.
So what does this mean for us in the everyday stuff of life?
1. Extending Grace when we differ on polarizing issues with brothers and sisters in Christ
Trust that God is ultimately sovereign and that God loves the person with whom you differ and they love Jesus as deeply as you do. Don’t assume that one political platform is endorsed by Scripture or that God is not working out good for the United States in a way we cannot see.
2. Strive to be balanced and informed
This is hard I know, but let’s not make haphazard assumptions about one candidate or another. Seek to really know the facts of their platform. Seek to understand their track records in life, government, business and everything. Don’t assume you know what they will do rather try to determine what they are likely to do based on their policies, personal life and vocational track record. Evaluate their policies throughly and refuse to let media reduce it to a sound byte. Lastly, evaluate their policies humbly and biblically in an honest way.
3. Refuse to participate in ungodly and slanderous reductionism
Statements like “not voting for Trump is a vote for Hillary” are unhelpful and neglect the call to press into the rich theological tapestry we have in Christ and engage in the nuance of cultural complexity. So don’t slanderously caricature followers of one candidate over another. Choose to live above the mudslinging. This also extends to the caricatures that are often created of the candidates themselves. They are real people made in the image of God. Try to construct honest biographical sketches based on facts and not on popular reductionistic caricatures. If you find you have been misinformed. Lay down your arms and repent. This is not to say you cannot still differ on real issues and policies. Lastly, refuse to believe that a vote for Hillary (or non-vote for Trump) is an endorsement for the pro-choice platform anymore than a vote for Trump is an endorsement for his mysogyny, racism, greed and his overall rudeness and pride. We are called as Christians to be far more evolved than that. Stay above the fray!
4. Choose to listen and take the posture of a student
You have to love the Peters of the world. In some ways, I am one. We have big mouths and are zealous for truth and righteousness. God love them…only Jesus could I suppose. How humbling must it have been for Peter when he would go off on one of his diatribes! Jesus would patiently yet firmly tell him, “you are embarrassing yourself Peter. Sit down and be quiet for a minute.” We need more people who will try to truly listen before speaking. We don’t listen well nor do we ask good questions anymore? We just jump to sinful presumptuous conclusions. Take the posture of a student and try to listen and understand. There is no shame in it and it doesn’t cost you anything. It may even build bridges you are not expecting.
5. Yet continue to debate graciously and passionately
Yes, after all of that, I still suggest we talk it out. Why? Because healthy and robust discussion sharpens us as God’s people. Additionally, we are not called to retreat into a realm defined by “to each his own.” Yes, God will work it out but God has given us His Word and God’s Word is clear. We may not read it clearly but the more we run to it as God’s people, the clearer we’ll see. That will likely take a lifetime to be sure. We are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We don’t have it all together and God has given us His Word and His Church to humbly work these things out together day by day for all our lives.
Let’s show the world that we do have the corner on the market on unity. Let’s show them that unity is not found in this world’s knot of stupidity but in the redeeming love of Christ to bare with ignorant and prideful people like you and me. Let’s show the world that the church best displays the pathway to true unity.
I love you all! May grace and peace be multiplied to you!
