Love your enemies, even those of the other party
Luke Chapter 6 – 7:17 Read it here
While I’m writing this before the inauguration, you’ll be reading it after. I anticipate that the last three days will have produced a flood of executive orders, legislative proposals and other federal actions that have made you either very happy or very angry.
Whichever it is, I’d like to encourage you to read and re-read 6:27-38. They apply to our political views as much as any other segment of life.
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
And, of course, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
I hear the objections. But what about… But it isn’t fair… But they started it…
It’s not our task to control the government (or anybody else). It’s our task to follow Jesus into radical love, forgiveness and obedience. He called us to follow the savior of the world, not to take on the role ourselves.
Sure, Christians should be politically involved and our votes should reflect our Christian values. But we more than anyone else should recognize the fleeting nature of human power and man-made laws.
Jesus was born into the time of one of the most effective, enduring governments in history, and it is now just a memory while his own reign is an enduring reality.
In a couple of years we have another chance to either affirm or reject the direction things are going as we vote for representatives, but until then, don’t let the political drama in Washington keep you from focusing on the things more closely in your own influence. Your family, your friends, your community and your church need you more than any political party does.