It's that time again. The U.S. presidential election season is getting into full swing. I have my political opinions just like anyone else, but the whole process just makes me tired. You can't read the paper or watch the news without being bombarded with political "talking points" or over the top rhetoric. Does anybody notice that these elections seem increasingly to be less about offering solutions and more about blasting the record of the other side? In 2008, while we heard a little about "hope and change," we were assaulted daily by the mantra "anybody but Bush." This election cycle already seems to be heading in the same direction. Sadly, politics in this country is becoming more defined not by what you are "for", but what you are "against." Is it any wonder why Americans are becoming increasingly disillusioned with our country's political system?
As has so often been true throughout history, the Christian world is mirroring the secular. There is a growing cynicism toward the Church and what it stands for. As Christians, we are being attacked, not because of what we are for, but because of what we are against. Of course we know that as evil waxes worse and worse in this world, a wholesale rejection of God's way of life and those who stand for it is inevitable.
The temptation, as well as the danger, for us as Christians is that we will reciprocate, becoming as cynical and disillusioned toward the world as they are becoming toward us.
Why a danger? Well, let me put this way. If I was to ask you what it is that defined Jesus' ministry to this world, how would you answer? Would you say His ministry was defined by what He was "for" or by what He was "against"?
In John 3:16 we read "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Jesus, of all men, had reason to be cynical about the world. After all, it was reacting vehemently and violently toward the message He was bringing. It would ultimately spit on Him, brutally scourge and crucify Him for that message. Yet, through all of it, when He had every right to condemn, when He rightfully could have lashed out against the evil in the world, He instead continued to preach a gospel of love, forgiveness and salvation for those who would believe on Him. A message "for" a better tomorrow. That was the message which defined Him.
In Mark 6:33 we read "But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd."
Jesus' example begs the question of you and me. As one of His disciples, striving as we are to become like Him, what defines us? Concerning my heart toward this world, am I animated more by what I am "for" or by what I am "against"? Does looking at the world around me engender emotions of anger, cynicism, hatred and condemnation, or rather, as was true of our Savior, love, pity and compassion? When the world looks at me do they see only my hostility and condemnation or do they see the love of Christ flowing from me to them? Does my life witness to the joy, peace, long suffering and patience that is in me because of His life living in me?
No, we can't control the negative political climate around us. We can't control a downward spiral that is increasingly against all things Christian. But we can resist the temptation to return the same. We can control the climate of our hearts.
Like our Lord, we can show compassion for those in this world, ministering and serving them as we have opportunity. We can pray to the Father for those who He may be now calling out of this world, into a relationship with Christ. We can yearn fervently for the return of our Lord and the ultimate release of all mankind from bondage to the god of this world.
So Christian, where do you stand? For or Against?